Connor Bedard will put himself among some of the best players ever when he goes 1st overall

It's hard to understate the potential of Connor Bedard. The 18-year-old will almost certainly be the first name called at the upcoming 2023 NHL Draft, and he earned his spot among some of the biggest modern names with the season he put up in junior.

According to a post by the NHL's Public Relations Department, Bedard's 143 points in 57 games last season with the Regina Pats puts him firmly in the top 10 for most productive 1st overall picks ever. I'd say IF he goes 1st overall, but it's more likely a matter of when.

At 10th overall, Bedard will be just behind Patrick Kane (145), and Eric Lindros (147). The most productive 1st overall pick ever goes to Mario Lemieux, whose 282 points with Laval of the QMJHL in 1984 will likely never be matched again. Second is Guy Lafleur (209), and taking the 3rd spot is Bobby Smith (192). It's hard to imagine any of those numbers being hit again any time soon. By the way, if there's any question over where Wayne Gretzky sits in all this, he was never drafted into the NHL. Gretzky was signed to a professional contract by the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) when he was 18. At the time, the NHL did not sign players under 20.