Connor Bedard stuns with decision for World Championships ahead of lottery draft

Projected first-overall pick Connor Bedard has played enough hockey. On Friday, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek confirmed that Bedard will not participate in the upcoming World Hockey Championships.

Bedard’s playoff run with the Regina Pats of the WHL was cut short when his team was eliminated by the Saskatoon Blades. In seven playoff games, Bedard had 10 goals and 20 points. He racked up 71 goals and 72 assists in just 57 games for the Pats this season.

Bedard was the first player to earn exceptional status in the WHL after scoring 43 goals and 84 points in 36 games for West Van Academy Prep’s U18 team, leading the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL) in scoring and earning MVP honours as a 14 year old. Bedard’s dream season with the Pats is now over, and he shifts his focus to the NHL Draft lottery. Like most hockey fans whose teams are out of the postseason.

Prior to the deadline, there were a multitude of trades involving first-round picks. As a result, the Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks all have two selections in the first round, and the St. Louis Blues own three. The Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins all traded away their first-round draft picks and don’t have a selection within the first 32 picks.

The draft lottery takes place on May 8 and is expected to determine which teams will land the top pick to select Bedard first overall.

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