Connor Bedard

Bedard is the presumed No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and could yield a big return in a deal.

There is also something to be said about the long-term positives of keeping Bedard in Regina. You wouldn't want to have the potential of making the playoffs and gaining that revenue, only to trade away your star player too early and miss out on the postseason as a result. Regina is a borderline playoff team even with Bedard in the lineup. With the trade deadline just five days after the World Juniors ends, it would be a quick turnaround for Bedard and Regina if he does change his mind. And let's make one thing clear — if the Pats trade Bedard, they aren't making the playoffs. With his no-trade clause, the team has no ability to move him unless Bedard agrees to a deal, which his agent has already said he has not asked for. With that said, for Regina, the return for Bedard would be massive. Like in the NHL, the WHL also has a trade deadline. However, once the holiday break is over, they are going to have to navigate the next two weeks without Bedard while he's on loan with Team Canada and that could drop them in the standings. The return for a player of Bedard's caliber would be huge for Regina's future. He is averaging over a point per game for the third consecutive season, solidifying his spot as the top prospect in the draft class. Connor Bedard is in the bright lights this week.