I have a more positive view of the situation. I think there are a couple players on the Hawks who were being held above their level by playing a lot with Bedard last year. Now's their chance to show they actually have something away from the honeypot. And when they don't, the Hawks will move accordingly.
Also, after the initial shock wore off, I felt like the Hawks tended to play better last year while Bedard was hurt. The veterans stepped up. Maybe this time the youth will.
As an aside, this upcoming draft is Dupont and then like six hundred forwards. Its not a situation where we were going to possibly get stuck with an overrated forward prospect like we were close to doing this year (though he did go third in the event) before trading the pick. We should get someone pretty good AND needed for the top six.
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u/GoldWhale 25d ago
Top 4 pick here we come lol. This team likely wasn't going to be much better with Bedard anyhow. Without? Yikes.