The “Next One,” Connor Bedard, has been the talk of the hockey world for a while now. He is now the NHL’s representative for the future thanks to his extraordinary talent, scoring prowess, and maturity beyond his years. The NHL may be overusing Bedard’s publicity, even though there is no denying that he has fantastic skill. This article will look at Connor Bedard’s ascent and whether the NHL’s attention on him is obscuring the game as a whole.
Connor Bedard’s ascent to hockey stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Bedard was granted exceptional player status by the Western Hockey League (WHL) at 15, allowing him to play in the league a year earlier than the typical age for junior players. He quickly made a name for himself by dominating the WHL, setting records, and garnering comparisons to some of the greatest hockey players in history. At just 17, Bedard was already being heralded as a potential generational talent, drawing comparisons to Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid. His performances in the WHL and the World Junior Championship further solidified his status as a hockey prodigy. The NHL’s Embrace of the Bedard Hype The NHL has enthusiastically embraced the Bedard hype is not surprising. The league has been searching for a young superstar to pique people’s interest and spread the word about the sport. Bedard is the ideal candidate due to his amazing abilities and personality. He has been promoted in advertising campaigns, his accomplishments have been emphasized in promotional materials, and the NHL has closely followed his every move in the hockey world.
While it’s natural for the NHL to promote its emerging stars, there are concerns that the excessive attention on Connor Bedard may be detrimental to both the player and the league itself. Connor being in the spotlight of the NHL at such a young age can put the highest expectations on him and if he doesn’t match the outrageous possibilities, fans will be calling Connor a Draft bust.
An example of expectations not being met was in 2011. The first overall pick was a Russian named Nail Yakupov, he was compared to Sidney Crosby right off the get-go, and it wore and tore until he left the league to go overseas to Russia.
The NHL could also start paying attention to other talents in the league. With Conner Bedard being in the league now and all the attention being on him, how would someone like Matthew Tkachuk, a rising star for the Flordia Panthers get all the credit he deserves? it’s unfair to the rest of the players in the league and paints a target on Bedard’s back. There is also a risk of Connor burning out and folding under the pressure. To grow and mature both on and off the ice, young players like Bedard need time. We have observed burnout or mental health difficulties in other young athletes in different sports as a result of excessive exposure and media scrutiny. By putting one player in the spotlight over other players who share the same or possibly more talent them Connor, The NHL risks losing fans who want to see their team being shown on social media or have a prime-time game on live TV, instead of an 18-year-old kid.
Connor Bedard’s rise in the NHL is undoubtedly exciting, and his talent is a gift to hockey fans around the world. However, it’s essential to strike a balance between promoting young talent and nurturing the sport’s overall health. The NHL should continue to support and showcase emerging stars but avoid overwhelming a single player with excessive publicity. While it’s crucial to celebrate the exceptional skills of players like Connor Bedard, the NHL should also remember that the strength of the league lies in the collective effort and teamwork of all its players. The focus should be on the game of hockey itself, rather than just one player, no matter how promising he may be. Balancing the scale will ensure the long-term success of both the player and the league as a whole. Next time you turn on the TV and watch your favourite team, see how long it takes for the announcers or analyzers to mention Connor Bedard.