Page 44 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 130

44 Issue #130 November 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

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Energy N e w s presents Sports Panel
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Stories And More About The People In Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry
Will Connor Bedard, this year’s first overall NHL draft choice, have an immediate
impact on the league like Lemieux and McDavid did when they entered the league?
How many goals and points will the Black Hawk’s sniper get this season?
Jake Lapierre - Conditioning Coach -My short answer, “Hell yes!” I believe Connor Bedard is already having a very positive
impact in the NHL. Last I checked Connor Bedard’s stats, he’s seven games into his rookie season, has 2 goals, 2 assists, and
fans are attending Blackhawk games wherever they’re playing to watch him display his skills. Just to make a quick comparison,
even though the season is just getting started, Connor McDavid, a phenomenal player himself, unrivaled in speed and skill, is
five games into the season with 2 goals and 6 assists.
Stepping into the NHL requires a transition phase. Teammates and coaches understand that, and nobody is expecting Bedard
to put up the same number of points or goals as in his junior hockey season. Within a few years, once Connor has had a chance
to adjust and adapt, he’ll be enjoying a great NHL career. I’m predicting Connor will have a 40 goal, 75 point season, this year.

Jim Riddell - Seaway Karate Club - We are still in the early stages of the 2023-24 NHL season and Connor Bedard has already
made a significant impact. The Chicago Black Hawks have doubled season ticket sales, doubled multiple game packages, and
total ticket sales have increased by 17% from last season. Since the Hawks chose Bedard as the #1 pick in the NHL entry draft,
merchandise sales have increased by more than 100% compared to the same time period last year. In Connor Bedard’s NHL
debut, a 4-2 Hawks win vs the Penguin’s, 1.43 million viewers watched on ESPN, the most ever for a regular season game. Both
Mario Lemieux and Connor McDavid averaged more than one point per game in their rookie seasons, a feat that Bedard is
unlikely to accomplish. My prediction for Connor Bedard’s rookie season is 32 goals and 34 assists for 66 points.

Peter Collins - Sports Enthusiast - Well, I’m sure the Blackhawks hope that Bedard’s career mirrors Lemieux’s or McDavid’s,
rather than first overall picks like Patrik Stefan or Neil Yakupov. Although there are no guarantees, it looks like Bedard has
what it takes to dominate the league for the next fifteen years. McDavid scored 48 points in 45 games his rookie season that was
shortened by injury. Lemieux set the gold standard for rookies with 43 goals and 100 points in his inaugural season, winning
the rookie of the year award in the process. Chances are Bedard will fall somewhere in between these two in productivity.
Chicago has wisely added some experience to their roster. Nick Foligno, Corey Perry, and Taylor Hall should add a veteran
presence to the Hawks lineup and make Bedard’s transition from Junior hockey to the NHL much smoother. With that help
and an injury free campaign, Bedard’s final numbers could look something like 70 points, with 35 of those being goals. It’s not
a Lemieux type season, but one that would likely net him the Calder trophy as the league’s top rookie. His biggest competition
for the Calder will probably come from his 2023 Team Canada Junior teammate Adam Fantilli, who should light it up for
Columbus this year.

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