Image Credit: WHL

By James Peters

Two and Out

PETERS: The cost to acquire Connor Bedard should be too rich for the Kamloops Blazers to pay

Dec 2, 2022 | 10:56 AM

AT THE RISK OF FURTHER ANGERING Regina Pats coach and GM John Paddock, we’re going to talk more about a potential trade for Connor Bedard.

That’s all right — I consider it payback for Paddock’s performance as coach and GM of my Winnipeg Jets in the mid-90s.

When the Pats and their 17-year-old phenom rolled into Kamloops this week, a cloud of trade speculation came with them.

Bedard has only a matter of months left in the WHL. He will be selected first overall in the NHL amateur draft next summer and begin his NHL career the following season.

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In the meantime, his Regina Pats are not going anywhere.

It all adds up to a potential trade that would send the West Vancouver-raised Bedard back to his home province, where the Memorial Cup-host Blazers have the highest aspirations.

Paddock tried to pour cold water on the idea in a testy exchange with Kamloops media, saying Bedard has a no-trade clause. But that clause is easily worked around if Bedard decides he wants out of Regina.

Adding Bedard to the Blazers roster would bring an absolutely generational talent to the Tournament Capital. But the Blazers should not pull the trigger on that trade.

First and foremost, the cost to the franchise would be absolutely astronomical.

The Pats would demand players, prospects, draft picks, the team bus and Shaun Clouston’s firstborn in exchange for a few months of Bedard’s services.

It might give the Blazers a shot at glory this year, but it would undoubtedly gut the franchise for the better part of a decade.

The Blazers have gone through years of mediocrity before and have worked hard to reach the point where they are now — a consistently competitive team.

Not only that, it was made abundantly clear during the Blazers’ 9-3 win over Regina Wednesday that what Bedard offers — high-octane offence — is not in short supply for Kamloops.

And dynamic offensive forward Jakub Demek will make his Blazers debut after returning from injury in January.

Instead of selling out the future for Bedard, the Blazers should upgrade their defence and possibly their goaltending.

That more complete team will have a better chance to propel Kamloops back to Memorial Cup glory come spring.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.