Connor Bedard

Players like Bedard don't come around all that often. He was unreal in the WHL, scoring 71 goals and 143 points in 57 contests with Regina last season and was similarly dominant in the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship, leading Canada with nine goals and 23 points in seven games. Bedard's offensive skills already appear to be on par with the NHL elite, and the comparisons to the likes of Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby are understandable. However, Bedard hasn't proven anything yet. His resume and skill set made it easy for Chicago to pick him with the first overall pick, but top selections don't always work out and even those that do sometimes have some growing pains. Those that take Bedard in single-season fantasy drafts will be assuming some risk, but there's also real potential for him to hit the ground running and make Blackhawks fans think back on Patrick Kane, who won the Calder Trophy in 2008 after scoring 21 goals and 72 points in 82 outings.