If you'd told me last season that Connor would be > 80% in skating metrics I would have been dubious. That he'd be 95%+ in some of them I would have laughed. But here the kid is, skating his ass off and getting a ton of hard shots on. Whatever he did over the summer, just keep doing that.
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Not only is he getting pucks on net, when he’s not, he’s getting to dangerous areas in the most gritty ways instead of skating lazy around the circle. I never would have expected the board play from him but twice in 3 games he’s followed the play to the back of the net, kept his body in the play then sniped a pass to the front for the Primary A. Never would have expected the drastic improvement all around.
I think it’s strange his top skating speed has decreased in each and every game since the start of the season. Game 1 he hit 22.36mph and has decreased every game since to 20.35mph last night.
Not only his speed, but his 2 way game. Here is what Mike Kelly wrote on X the other day.
“If Connor Bedard looks like a different player. it’s because he has been through 5 games. 8th in puck battle wins-was 189th last year. 13th in stick checks, 190th last year. Puck moving remains elite but also up from last
year.”
The last two years were almost unfair to him, playing center with an incompletely developed body. He’s filled out now. I figured he would get to where he is now, and just keep getting better. As long as he can stay healthy and keep his head on straight, not getting too frustrated with a bad team. It’s got to be a boost that the team is playing well.