Connor Bedard is Proof the NHL Combine is a Joke

Fitness training is important for becoming a better hockey player, but fitness testing means next to nothing about how good a player is.

Connor Bedard put up average results (except in pull-ups where he crushed), but he is still a generational prospect because of what he can do on the ice.

[kimjongun]

'Connor McDavid turned out to be decent player'

[youtubecensors]

"I play real sports. Not trying to be the best at exercising."
Kenny Powers

[kencoakley]

There was a quarterback that wasn't drafted until the 199th pick in the NFL draft in 2000 because none of the teams were impressef with him.during the combines. He was Tom.Brady.

[drakerector]

I know it was in the NFL but a long time ago there was this guy who figured out teams were way too worried about the combine. He decided to not play his last year of college football and instead take a year off and train only the drills that were tested at the combine. He scored extremely well and was drafted. I could be wrong here but I don’t think he ever played a single regular season snap

[kristo]

It's good to get an idea of someone's fitness level. Just because the test doesn't show on-ice talent, doesn't mean it's not useful

[stephenphillips]

Gretzky could barely do 10 pushups and look at the career he had.

[Boyso]

I think Tom Brady has proven that the Combine doesn’t always measure how good a player will be.

[JoeMazzullaaa]

this video has nothing to do with connor bedard. scouts see players on ice abilities and hockey iq in every game they play throughout their season, however there are very strict rules and consequences for fitness testing prior to the combine, Arizona was caught testing before the combine and lost a 1st and 2nd round draft pick just 3 seasons ago. So if it’s so worthless, why are teams sneaking around risking money and draft picks for this information? The truth is any information you can get on a player is worth something.

[joshw]

one of my professors who supervised some combines said it probably makes sense to treat it like a physical that needs to be passed rather than benchmarking/ranking, ie if a prospect can't broad jump/bench over X then there might be cause for concern

[simonartymowycz]

You produce a standardized baseline for all players entering. This isn't just testing done to scout potential that might have otherwise gone unnoticed, this is to track progress and averages down the line.

[grega]

It's just a general fitness/athleticism test, dude... teams don't use it to determine draft positions... an immensely talented kid who's to lazy to put in effort is just another indication of commitment

[Larry]

Did bro just say that “Connor McDavid turned out to be a decent player?”

[craigjones]

Let’s see how Hall will help him out and if they can become line mates

[dpendsonwhat]

Uhh, I don’t think you understand the magnitude of even an ELC. These teams are investing millions into these players via contracts, scouting, training, etc. These combines are a necessity. Your opinion isn’t deep enough to understand.

[justin_drake]

New test, the Bedard Test: Skate into a stationary rubber dummy and see if it breaks your jaw

[beddoftheweek]

“And he turned out to be a decent player”

[JetsMite]

NHL trying to be like football so bad. fitness tests barely translate compared to football. There are some Hall of Famers that would absolutely suck at this. Most of the freak guys talk about on their team weren’t anything more than guys with extreme endurance. The yoked up gym mutants can carve out good careers for themselves, Some even become stars, but testing high draft picks like this, like it has any bearing on what they are able to do out there is silly.

[iceman]

Mcdavid a "decent" player? This youtuber needs to go away. If there is 1000 games on, I will watch the oilers because of McDavid. He is a generational legend. He had a sit down with Gretzky and he even said same..

[tep]

Imagine having a combine for your sport where you don't even play the sport😂. Last time I saw hockey pretty sure they had skates on, weren't doing much jumping, and definitely didn't see any players doing pull ups. Proof NHL leadership is a joke

[alejandrosanchez]

The only sport where a combine really means anything is football. It's the only sport where you can give a 16 year old kid soem gloves and a helmet, and he can dominate after never hearing about the sport his entire life. You hand a 16 year old kid skates and a stick and he'll be on all fours trying to crawl around on the ice.