Bedard, the top pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and Carlsson, the No. 2 selection, have had limited contact so far. That should start to change on Thursday night in Chicago.
Connor Bedard said he's just getting to know and know more about Leo Carlsson.
Bedard, the top pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and Carlsson, the No. 2. selection spent some time together at the pre-draft scouting combine in Buffalo last June. They also met during a media event in Las Vegas during the Stanley Cup Final.
Bedard leads NHL rookies with 11 goals, 20 points and 74 shots on goal.And they briefly said hello to each other on Wednesday at the Blackhawks' practice facility between their teams' sessions.
The relationship figures to deepen on Thursday night when the two 18-year-old centers meet for the first time in a game at the United Center. Although their styles are different, they’ll see plenty of each other.
Depending on match-ups, they might actually bump shoulder pads.
Bedard apparently has scoped out Carlsson on TV this season.
“When's he's been in, he's been a difference-maker and a lot of fun to watch,” Bedard said after Thursday's morning skate. “It's exciting to see a player like that." See video.
Carlsson is pumped too.
“It’s going to be a a fun battle,” said the rangy Swede. “I don’t know about extra motivation. I have motivation every game, but it’s going to be fun.”
Ducks Aware of Bedard
Anaheim Ducks coach Greg Cronin emphasized his scouting approach against any opponent — even the last-place Blackhawks — is holistic. But Cronin is aware of what Bedard, the NHL’s leading rookie scorer, can do.
“He a sniper, dangerous inside the circles,” Cronin said. “He’s very creative. You can see his offensive instincts.
“When he crosses the blue line, he delays well. He finds people coming in late. There’s a reason why he was the most talked-about first-pick overall for awhile. You’ve got to be aware of him when he’s on the ice.”
And Carlsson has been making his presence felt increasingly.
The Ducks have managed Leo Carlsson's ice time, but he went up against Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche.The 6-foot-3, 195-pound forward is still under the Ducks’ workload management plan as he adjusts to an NHL schedule after playing just 44 games in the Swedish Hockey League last season. But Carlsson had two goals and four points in his last three games, and made an impact in back-to-back contests against the Avalanche.
“I’m feeling comfortable right now,” Carlsson said. “I’ve had enough games against many good teams and I’m starting to know what the standards are too. Obviously it’s going to be hard to be great every game. It’s the best league in the world.
“It’s hard sometime when you go against a (Colorado center Nathan) MacKinnon and those guys, but I just try to be good in all zones.”
Carlsson Reminds Cronin of Modano
The still-boyish looking Carlsson needs to fill out and add strength. The native of Karlstad, Sweden doesn’t turn 19 until Boxing Day
But Cronin, the Ducks first-year coach, adds Carlsson is a “pretty focused young man” who may could soon make an impact with something of a straight-line style.
“He does stand out when he goes in a straight line because he’s got a really efficient stride,” Cronin said. “He looks like Mike Modano sometimes because his shirt is blowing in the background and he has his head up and he’s shifty, he’s surveying the ice.
“He does those things that you can see naturally talented players do consistently. I think when he continues to fill out, he’s going to be a dominant force in this league."