NHL Analyst Criticizes Connor Bedard Live On Air With Recent Comparisons
Photo credit: Team Canada
The NHL analyst Mike DiStefano criticized the Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard live on air after recent comparisons with San Jose Sharks' Macklin Celebrini.
With the 2026 Olympic Games slowly approaching, countries will start thinking about who will be sent on the ice to represent their nations against the best players in the world.
Earlier this summer, Team Canada released a list of players invited to their orientation camp, set to go down August 26th in Calgary.
Many players want to make the team, but not all of them will get their shot.
Management and coaching staff will undoubtedly need to make some tough choices, especially among the young players.
The 2023 and 2024 first overall picks Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini will likely compete for a spot.
Bedard and Celebrini Compared By Sportsnet Analyst Ahead Of 2026 Olympics
In a recent paper, Mike DiStefano revealed that he believes Celebrini will make Team Canada's roster over Bedard due to his great versatility.
Indeed, he played a big role in San Jose in many different situations, likely hinting at a higher range of skills on the ice:
"The young buck from the San Jose Sharks. Look, I think Celebrini, I mean, you look at his season last year, 25 goals, 63 points as an 18-year-old in the NHL. I can't wait to see what he could do a year older, you know, getting a little bit stronger, understanding the NHL game for a full season.
I think he's going to put on a show out there in San Jose. And they're going to want a little bit of young youth, I think, on this team. I think Celebrini will be the guy who really stands out. I think he's more dependable in more situations than a guy like Bedard, we'll say. So, if they're going to bring one of those young talents, I think Celebrini has a chance to make his way onto this roster."
I think he's going to put on a show out there in San Jose. And they're going to want a little bit of young youth, I think, on this team. I think Celebrini will be the guy who really stands out. I think he's more dependable in more situations than a guy like Bedard, we'll say. So, if they're going to bring one of those young talents, I think Celebrini has a chance to make his way onto this roster."
Of course, with a strong start to the season, Bedard could prove him wrong. It'll be interesting to see how they both fare next year and who ends up on the Olympic roster.
Celebrini scored 63 points in 70 games last season, while Bedard tallied 67 in 82. Both players are poised to get compared, as they were both drafted 1st overall and have extremely high skills.
Stay tuned.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 8 | 636 ANSWERS NHL Analyst Criticizes Connor Bedard Live On Air With Recent Comparisons Who do you think is better? | ||
| Connor Bedard | 281 | 44.2 % |
| Macklin Celebrini | 355 | 55.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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