Bedard has some advice for Celebrini, Crosby's heroics being wasted in Pittsburgh and our the Hobey Baker snubs
Zach Hyman and Sam Reinhart might not catch Auston Matthews in the Rocket Richard Trophy race. And neither player will likley be a candidate for the Hart Trophy.
But after each scored their 50th goal of the season on Sunday, both should get recognition for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey."
How else to describe what Hyman and Reinhart have done at this point in their careers?
The NHL is supposed to be a young man's game. But it sometimes takes players time to perfect their game.
Nine long years, to be exact.
During that time, the 28-year-old Reinhart went from being called a draft-day bust to one of the most enticing free agents available this summer. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Hyman became the oldest first-time 50-goal-scorer since Joe Mullen scored 51 goals in 1988-89 at the age of 32.
Like Hyman, not much was expected of Mullen when he entered the NHL as an undrafted player who had spent four years in college and another three seasons in the Central Hockey League.
But eight years later, the late-blooming Mullen found a home on a stacked Flames team that included Doug Gilmour and Joe Nieuwendyk and finally scored 50.
Hyman's career path has taken a similar journey. A fifth-round afterthought of the Florida Panthers, Hyman was traded to Toronto where he was considered a grinder more than a goal-scorer. He often played on a top line with Matthews and Mitch Marner, but Hyman's job was to go into the corners and retrieve pucks — not shoot them. He never scored more than 21 goals. Some even considered that total unrealistic.
But since signing as a free agent with Edmonton — a contract that was criticized when it was initially signed — he's found a home alongside Connor McDavid and in the process unlocked a scoring touch. Hyman scored 27 goals in 2021-22. Last season, he scored 36 goals. Now, he is 10 goals away from reaching the 60-goal club.
“In university, I had two goals my first year," Hyman told reporters after scoring his 50th. "I was drafted, and I was just a draft pick. I was no longer a prospect. Everyone kind of wrote me off."
Reinhart, who had never scored more than 33 goals, is not as old as Hyman. But his wait has been just as long. A second-overall pick of the Sabres in 2014, he — along with Jack Eichel — were supposed to be bring Buffalo back to glory. Instead, his time in Buffalo was filled with regular season disappointment and an inability to bring his bring up to the same level as Leon Draisaitl, William Nylander and David Pastrnak, who were picked behind Reinhart.
It was only since coming to Florida where he's finally developed his scoring touch. And he's done it while being one of the better two-way players in the NHL this season.
"It's pretty cool," Reinhart told reporters. "That's obviously a number I've never really thought about. Certainly, the recipient of being put in some very good positions this year and playing with some very good players. So, it's been fun."
As they say, good things come to those who wait.
The Starting Five
1) Three Hobey Baker snubs that should have been finalists: Here are three guys who were outside the Top Ten Hobey Baker finalists but should have been included.
2) Connor Bedard Gives Advice To Future No. 1 Overall Picks; Talks Equipment Decisions: As the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks get set to play in the third Macklin Celebrini Bowl, 2023 No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard shared some advice for Celebrini and future No. 1 picks.
3) Sidney Crosby Won't Let Penguins Playoff Hopes Die: The Pittsburgh Penguins' latest loss was another example of the team wasting Sidney Crosby's stellar season.
4) Matthew "Gren" Grenier Wins The NHL 24 North American Championship: Gren and Deeks faced off for the NHL 24 North American Championship
5) Report: Maple Leafs Goaltender Matt Murray Could Be Cleared to Play in Early April, Likely with Marlies on Conditioning Stint: Murray hasn't seen game action since Toronto's 5-2 loss to the Red Wings on Apr. 2, 2023.