December 12, 2023 by Ryan Lotsberg

Every so often, we as sports fans are presented with generational talents. The prodigal sons that get thrust into the spotlight and dubbed “the next ones” as teens. Granted, the term “generational” gets tossed around generously in hockey; but the label has been fitting for a select few players in the modern era. First came Sidney Crosby, who was drafted in 2005. A decade later, Connor McDavid entered the league. Now, we are being introduced to Connor Bedard. Crosby and McDavid have faced each other ten times in their careers. Tonight, McDavid and Bedard will face off for the first time.

Related: Crosby vs McDavid X

McDavid has established himself as the best player on the planet. He has won five Art Ross Trophies, four Ted Lindsay awards, three Hart Memorial Trophies, and a Rocket Richard Trophy in his first eight NHL seasons. Last season was the best statistical season by any player since the mid-90s. McDavid had a slow start to the season, but he’s caught fire lately. He’s scored 23 points in his last twelve games to work his way into a tie for eighth place in the league.

Bedard is off to a nice start in the NHL. He’s got eleven goals and twelve assists for 23 points in his first 27 NHL games. Last season, he scored 143 points for the Regina Pats of the WHL. That was the highest scoring season in the WHL since 1995-96 when three players surpassed that mark: Mark Deyell (159), Frank Banham (152), and Hnat Dominichelli (148). For what it’s worth, McDavid only (I say “only” like it’s low or something) managed 120 points in his highest scoring OHL season.

Bedard set a Canadian World Junior single tournament scoring record with 23 points in just nine games at the 2023 tournament in Halifax. He also set the all-time Canadian World Junior tournament scoring record with 36 points, and he set the record for most all-time goals by a Canadian at the event with 16 goals. 

Tony Brar offered this comparison of the two Connors’ performance in their first 27 NHL games:

One half of Connor vs. Connor tonight.

Through first 27 career games:

McDavid: 10G, 19A — 29 PTS
Bedard: 11G, 12A — 23 PTS pic.twitter.com/i0TTlnEvul

— Tony Brar (@TonyBrarOTV) December 12, 2023

Bedard isn’t the biggest player or the fastest skater. His trademark is his unbelievable shot. He’s also really smart. He knows how to put himself into spots where the puck will find him. Those are the tools that allowed him to set all of those Canadian World Junior records, and those are the tools that will make him a star in the NHL.

We can make all of the comparisons we want, but tonight’s game won’t impact either player’s legacy. This is a rare opportunity for us as fans to watch two phenomenal players go head to head. It also serves as a reminder that it wasn’t that long ago that McDavid was the new kid on the block going up against the likes of Sidney Crosby. Matchups like these are a fun reason for us to reminisce, and they serve as markers in time. They also make for a fun reason to dream about the future and what’s to come, especially for Bedard in this case.

Bedard’s Chicago Blackhawks come into tonight’s tilt at Rogers Place in a tie for the fewest points in the Western Conference, but with a game in hand on the San Jose Sharks. The Blackhawks weren’t supposed to be good this season. It certainly won’t help that they’ve lost Taylor Hall and Corey Perry for the season. It also doesn’t help that they will be without Seth Jones, who was injured in Sunday’s game against the Washington Capitals.

Meanwhile, McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers enter tonight’s game on a seven game winning streak. Stuart Skinner will look to earn his sixth consecutive win after getting Sunday’s game against the New Jersey Devils off. Evan Bouchard is on an eleven game point streak, which is the second longest point streak by a defenceman in Oilers franchise history. Evander Kane did not skate this morning, but is expected to play.