"Been better than Mitch Marner": NHL analyst pushes Connor Bedard to get top six Team Canada role beside Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon

Connor Bedard is currently third on the NHL points tally behind Macklin Celebrini and Nathan MacKinnon. The Chicago Blackhawks forward is finally showcasing his true potential with 37 points in the first 25 games of the season.

It has prompted conversations for Bedard to be included in the Team Canada roster for the Olympics. However, many NHL insiders have stated that he will be excluded from the final list as the team doesn't have a defined role for Bedard at the tournament which is expected to be high on physicality.

Team Canada's top lines seemed to be set with players Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Sam Reinhart, and Brayden Point, already named to the Olympics and set to be joined by Mitch Marner, who was a key contributor in the top six during the team's Four Nations Face Off.

However, with Marner scoring just 25 points in 25 games, NHL insider Bryan Hayes on TSN's Overdrive on Monday was prompted to push Connor Bedard over the former Toronto Maple Leafs winger for the Canadian roster.

"I got to give [Bedard] so much credit, man, because this time last year and by the end of last season, I thought he had basically 0% chance of making Canada because of the way he had been playing, the way the team looked," Hayes said.

"He was young, he looked just getting pushed out of plays, and he just wasn't ready for prime time. I didn't think he had a shot. He has come out and lit the league on fire to the point where I think it's a legitimate chat. We keep asking, "Well, is he comfortable on your fourth line?" Why would he be on the fourth line?"

"Not picking on Mitch, but he's been better than Marner," Hayes concluded.

Fellow insider Jeff O'Neill even pointed out that if the Canadian management has already selected Bryan Point because they feel he is better than Marner, and if Bedard is even better than Point currently, then Marner shouldn't have a "hall pass". Hayes then clearly stated his liking towards Bedard playing in a top six role.

"Put him in a scoring position. Like, play him with MacKinnon or something. No kidding. Go rip home goals, man. I think he's played himself into that chatter where it's not just 13th forward. I can't speak for Canada. They might still think that way, but for me, the guy, I mean, he's unbelievable."

Connor Bedard not distracted by possible Olympics selection

During a conversation with Tracey Myers of the NHL website on November 12, Connor Bedard maintained that his focus is set on improving with the Blackhawks.

“It's a ways away, and I’ll focus on what we’re doing here; the better I am day to day, that gives me a better chance,” he had said. “What happens, happens. I just want to keep playing well and keep building on my game.”

After two disappointing seasons since his NHL debut, the Blackhawks, under Bedard's leadership, have improved to an 11-9-5 record to start the season. They face Mitch Marner's Vegas Golden Knights in their next game on Tuesday.