Connor Bedard strode into a bright room on the 11th floor of an office tower overlooking Bridgestone Arena.

He took his place at the podium before a phalanx of cameras and a few dozen reporters.

It was a spot heB次元官网网址檚 slowly grown accustomed to B次元官网网址� being the centre of attention.

Discussed in hockey circles as the potential B次元官网网址淣ext OneB次元官网网址� for a significant chunk of his young life, the 17-year-old phenomB次元官网网址檚 moment has nearly arrived.

Bedard is all but assured of being selected with the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the NHL draft on Wednesday, a moment that will signify the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another that B次元官网网址� if projections are accurate B次元官网网址� could see him eventually seated alongside the gameB次元官网网址檚 greats.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 really know what to expect or what I think IB次元官网网址檒l feel,B次元官网网址� the centre from North Vancouver, B.C., with a bullet shot and a stunning tool belt of skill and intelligence said Tuesday of what it will be like hearing his name called.

Bedard, who was still in grade school when the articles about his talents first appeared, has also had plenty of runway to prepare.

B次元官网网址淚t was pretty gradual, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 an overnight thing,B次元官网网址� he said Tuesday of his rise to stardom. B次元官网网址淭hat helps out a bit, learn how to deal with things. ItB次元官网网址檚 gone up a bit this year with the draft.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been good to have it gradually grow.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 now at a fever pitch with the draft right finally at his doorstep.

And some of the players who have walked in similar shoes know what Bedard is going through as the hours tick down.

B次元官网网址淚 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 say itB次元官网网址檚 fair or unfair,B次元官网网址� Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, the top pick in 2015, said of the pressure and hype. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 part of the gig. We want to play hockey, and want to play in the NHL, and live out our dream.

B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e really good, those expectations and those demands come.B次元官网网址�

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, the No. 1 pick in 2008, works out with McDavid in the summer, and met Bedard at one of those training sessions in the Toronto area.

B次元官网网址淕reat, down-to-earth kid,B次元官网网址� Stamkos said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of pressure that comes with being a first overall pick, especially one as highly touted as him. IB次元官网网址檓 not sure I was in the same category as that coming up, but heB次元官网网址檚 got his head on his shoulders. He comes from, what I can tell, a good family.

B次元官网网址淭he skill speaks for itself. WeB次元官网网址檝e all seen the videos of him shooting pucks and in the gym B次元官网网址� the work ethicB次元官网网址檚 there, as well. IB次元官网网址檓 excited to see what he can do next year.B次元官网网址�

Bedard was grateful for the chance to spend time with both players ahead of his big moment.

B次元官网网址淩eally nice people,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淕etting to be with them and see how they approach every day, and then get a few (pieces) of advice.B次元官网网址�

BedardB次元官网网址檚 dad, Tom, said in a recent interview heB次元官网网址檚 been impressed with how his son has navigated the attention since a young age.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 surprising sometimes with all the different things going on,B次元官网网址� Tom Bedard said. B次元官网网址淏ut he seems to handle it pretty well to this point.

B次元官网网址淗opefully that continues.B次元官网网址�

Tom Bedard has also seen that drive up close ever since Connor first laced up the skates.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think heB次元官网网址檚 ever totally satisfied,B次元官网网址� said the elder Bedard. B次元官网网址淗e thinks he can get a little better at this or a little better at that.B次元官网网址�

Trades dominated the day before the draft as the Winnipeg Jets ended the Pierre-Luc Dubois saga by shipping the centre to the Los Angeles Kings for forwards Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and Gabriel Vilardi plus a 2024 second-round pick.

Dubois also agreed to an eight-year, US$68-million contract through the 2030-31 season.

Prior to that blockbuster, the Montreal Canadiens acquired centre Alex Newhook from the Colorado Avalanche for the 31st and 37th selections in the draft along with defenceman Gianni Fairbrother.

The New Jersey Devils acquired veteran forward Tyler Toffoli from the Calgary Flames on Tuesday in exchange for Yegor Sharangovich and a 2023 third-round draft pick, which the Devils acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 31-year-old Toffoli is coming off a career season with the Flames, scoring 34 goals and adding 39 assists. He has one year left on his four-year, $17 million contract.

Sharangovich, a 25-year-old from Belarus, scored 13 goals and added 17 assists this season with the Devils.

Bedard, meanwhile, leads a draft class heavy on forward talent, including No. 2-ranked North American skater Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson, who tops the European list.

B次元官网网址淪omething youB次元官网网址檝e tried to look forward to your entire life, and try to get to this point,B次元官网网址� said Fantilli, a product of Nobleton, Ont. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e all really excited B次元官网网址� canB次元官网网址檛 play another game now, you canB次元官网网址檛 score another goal now.

B次元官网网址淪it back, try and soak it in, and enjoy it.B次元官网网址�

One of the draftB次元官网网址檚 biggest questions will be where does Matvei Michkov land?

The Russian forward, who might have the second-highest ceiling after Bedard, is signed in the KHL and slated to spend at least a few more seasons at home before coming to North America.

B次元官网网址淓veryoneB次元官网网址檚 kind of in the same boat B次元官网网址� media, players, teams, I imagine,B次元官网网址� said Zach Benson, the No. 6 North American skater said of Michkov being a wild card. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e not sure where heB次元官网网址檚 gonna go, but watching videos on him, heB次元官网网址檚 an elite player.

B次元官网网址淲herever he goes, that teamB次元官网网址檚 getting a good one.B次元官网网址�

The moment, however, will belong to Bedard.

B次元官网网址淵ou always dream,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淟oved playing the game. I woke up every day and wanted to be on the ice. That was my mindset. I never thought too much about the future in any way. EveryoneB次元官网网址檚 dream is to play in the NHL. ItB次元官网网址檚 still my dream.

B次元官网网址淚 hope to achieve that one day.B次元官网网址�

HeB次元官网网址檚 set to take a big step in that direction Wednesday.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER PICK 1?

The NHL Awards ceremony held inside Bridgestone Arena on Monday night served up a casual country, chummy comedic vibe.

Expect things to be more businesslike when the NHL entry draft takes over the home arena of the Nashville Predators for two tense decision-filled days.

The draft consists of seven rounds, with the opening round taking place Wednesday night. Rounds 2 to 7, covering all 224 player selections, is held Thursday.

The Chicago Blackhawks will make the first overall pick just after 7 p.m. ET Wednesday and are expected to grab Bedard.

The Anaheim Ducks select second, followed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens.

The Vancouver Canucks will have the 11th pick, followed by the Calgary Flames at 16th, Winnipeg Jets 18th and the Toronto Maple Leafs 28th. Round 1 ends after 32 players are selected.

Players expected to be drafted early include centre Adam Fantilli of the University of Michigan, centre Leo Carlsson of the Swedish Hockey League, forward Samuel Honzek of the Vancouver Giants, forwards Will Smith and Ryan Leonard of the U.S. National Team Development Program, forward Matvei Michkov of St. Petersburg in the KHL, and Nanaimo, B.C. product Matthew Wood of the UConn menB次元官网网址檚 hockey team.

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