Bedard or Celebrini? Much Too Early Comparison
Looking at how Bedard and Celebrini are faring so far in their careers compared to each other.
USA Today Network - Bedard or Celebrini? Much Too Early ComparisonConnor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini will likely be connected throughout their careers for being the first overall pick in the draft in back-to-back years. While both were widely thought of as the best player in each of their drafts, both of their NHL careers have gotten going pretty well as they were both 18 when they first played a game.
There will be bumps along the road for both Bedard and Celebrini, but one thing we can continue to do throughout their careers is look at how Celebrini compares to Bedard's previous season and where they are when they hit milestones.
Generational talent was thrown around for Bedard more than it was for Celebrini, but there is a real chance that Celebrini ends up with a better career when it's all said and done.
Both the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks are still rebuilding and it will likely be a number of years before either are in the mix for the Stanley Cup. Because of where Bedard and Celebrini were drafted and the hype that will surround them, Chicago and San Jose are their teams to lead to success.
Bedard had an impressive rookie season in which he was the top line center on a very depleted team. Despite missing 14 games with an injury, he finished the season with 22 goals and 61 points. He also happened to be a -44 on the season and has not been able to succeed in the faceoff circle yet in his career.
Bedard has not taken the step forward offensively that the Blackhawks had hoped and expected as he has just three goals and 15 points in 20 games. His shot is very good, but he hasn't even averaged three shots per game this season and he is a small player.
Bedard came into the season with more of an edge, but that has seemed to have faded away pretty quickly. His confidence isn't very high because of the lack of goal scoring with his shot and the Blackhawks surrounded him with better talent to help him out.
Sophomore slumps happen to a lot of players, so it is how Bedard bounces back the rest of the season and moving forward.
Celebrini hasn't reached that point in his career yet, but on what should be a worse Sharks team, he already has four goals and seven points in 10 games. He also dealt with an injury early in the season.
Celebrini is averaging more ice time per game than Bedard this season, but three seconds less than Bedard in his rookie season. Celebrini is shooting more already and at a higher rate than Bedard in either of his first two seasons with a higher shooting percentage as well. He is close to 50% on the draws as well.
I fully expect Bedard's shooting percentage to shoot up as it sits at 5.5% this season and was 10.7% last season. That should get him closer to where he has the potential to be goal-wise this early in his career.
Celebrini looks good while Bedard is struggling right now. This isn't a conversation that is going to be decided anytime soon unless one player completely explodes into a superstar very quickly and the other doesn't live up to the hype. For now, we can enjoy these two talented young stars in the league as it only makes it a better product.
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