Connor Bedard watch: Slumping Canucks say ‘major surgery’ needed on roster

NHL Central Scouting confirmed what has been clear for years – and especially since the world junior championship: Connor Bedard is the top prospect for the 2023 draft.

Bedard, who heads up the midterm rankings, won tournament MVP by scoring 23 points in seven games as Canada repeated as gold medal winners. In his first three games back with the Regina (Saskatchewan) Pats, the 5-10, 185-pound center has totaled nine goals and 14 points.

Bedard, 17, who entered the Western Hockey League draft early as a 15-year-old, has a league-best 78 points in 31 games. He has a 30-game point streak since being shut out in the opener. Last year, he had 100 points in 62 games.

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With the winner of the draft lottery in April able to move up only 10 spots this year, the bottom 11 teams have a chance to land the generational talent. Here’s a look at the teams with the best chances, starting with the last-place team (stats as of the afternoon of Jan. 16; this file will be updated at various points during the season).

Columbus Blue Jackets (13-27-2, 28 pts.)

They moved up from 32nd to 30th with a 4-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 14. Patrik Laine, who has been out three times this season, scored his 10th career hat trick to end a nine-game goal drought. The Blue Jackets held on to end a 10-game road losing streak as offseason free agent splash Johnny Gaudreau had two assists. The team continues to be racked with injuries (No. 1 defenseman Zach Werenski, top six forward Jakub Voracek), but captain Boone Jenner returned. Bedard would answer the question of who plays between Gaudreau and Laine.

voters choose whether to approve a new arena in Tempe during a May special election.

San Jose Sharks (13-23-9, 35 pts.)

Erik Karlsson leads all defensemen with 58 points in a resurgent Norris Trophy-caliber season that also earned him an All-Star Game berth. But the Sharks have only four home wins. First-year general manager Mike Grier could choose to continue to remake this team, as he did with an offseason trade of Brent Burns. Plus, he has a decision to make on pending restricted free agent Timo Meier, their leading goal scorer.

Montreal Canadiens (18-23-3, 37 pts.)

The Canadiens went through a 1-9-1 free fall after a strong start, but they won three of their last five games. Brendan Gallagher will miss at least six weeks with a lower-body injury. Mike Hoffman returned to action after being a scratch in four of the previous five games. Montreal also holds Florida’s first-round pick, but the Panthers have moved out of the bottom 11.

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was sent to the American Hockey League after clearing waivers. 

Also: The 22nd-place teams will be determined by Monday night’s action, but the Florida Panthers moved two points ahead of Buffalo by beating the Sabres.

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