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Good morning to everyone but especially to…
CONNOR BEDARD AND THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Tonight, the 2023 NHL Draft will begin, putting the NHL back in the center stage of the sports world. Following in the footsteps of last week’s NBA Draft, there is a clear standout player expected to go No. 1. The Blackhawks will be selecting Connor Bedard in the hopes that he can turn around the franchise’s struggles over the past five years.
At only 17 years old, Bedard’s impressive resume suggests that he is more than capable of doing just that. Our Austin Nivison compared Bedard’s credentials to those of recent top draft picks and concluded that even the winner of the 2023 Hart Trophy pales in comparison:
- Nivison: “Connor McDavid was a truly exceptional prospect. He possessed the size, speed, production, and intangibles necessary for success at the NHL level, and he has delivered on all fronts… The fact that Bedard has statistics and accolades that rival McDavid only adds to his appeal for NHL scouts. There’s no denying that Bedard’s pre-draft resume puts him in a league of his own.“
The Blackhawks have also boosted their support for Bedard by acquiring Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno from the Bruins in a trade. This is not the only major move happening before the draft.
The draft will begin tonight at 7 p.m.
Honorable mentions
Not so honorable mentions
Former Arkansas, NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett dies at 35 🏈
Ryan Mallett passed away on Tuesday in an apparent drowning incident in Florida, according to reports. He was 35 years old.
- Mallett was a highly sought-after recruit who initially chose Michigan in 2007 but transferred to Arkansas after one year.
- Mallett had a successful stint with the Razorbacks in 2009 and 2010, setting program records for passing yards and passing touchdowns in the latter season that still stand today.
- The Patriots drafted Mallett in the third round in 2011, and he went on to play for the Texans and the Ravens as well. His last year in the NFL was 2017.
- In 2022, Mallett became the head football coach at White Hall High School in White Hall, Arkansas.
Oral history of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s incredible rise 🏀
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Ten years and one day ago, the Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett as the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. It was a surprising choice that didn’t pan out — Bennett was out of the league by 2017 — and many other players in that draft had mixed success as well.
At the 15th overall pick, the Bucks chose a little-known, lanky teenager from Greece named Giannis Antetokounmpo. The rest is history in the making, including two MVP awards, an NBA championship, and much more. To commemorate a decade of Giannis, our Jack Maloney has compiled an excellent oral history of Antetokounmpo’s journey to superstardom. Here is a quote that stood out:
- Jrue Holiday: “He got hurt in the [2021] conference finals against Atlanta, and during our first practice back, which was the day before the finals game, it was the first time we saw him practice. He was going at 150 miles an hour. We told him, ‘Okay, slow down, man. We just got you back, and we need you to play tomorrow.’“
This piece is a delightful read, featuring quotes from Antetokounmpo, his teammates, coaches, and opponents like LeBron James and Draymond Green. Make sure to check it out.
Who Will Be the No. 1 Pick in the MLB Draft? Pirates Have SEC and High School Options ⚾
Getty Images
With the college baseball season concluded and the MLB Draft approaching, the Pirates have the first overall pick. It’s a significant opportunity for a team that has shown signs of improvement but still requires substantial help.
Luckily, our R.J. Anderson has identified five potential options for the Pirates, three of whom were involved in the College World Series Finals: pitcher Paul Skenes from LSU, outfielder Dylan Crew from LSU, and outfielder Wyatt Langford from Florida. You may recognize these names — they were mentioned in a previous newsletter. Additionally, R.J. highlights two other high school prospects who could be under consideration:
- Anderson: “3. Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS (NC): Jenkins appears to be the industry’s preference among the high-school outfielders because of his more certain offensive projections. 4. Max Clark, CF, Franklin Community HS (IN): Often compared to Cubs prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong. Clark is a surefire center fielder with legitimate offensive upside thanks to a fast bat and wheels.”
We could discuss the prospects at length — R.J. provides in-depth scouting reports for the top 30 — but it’s important to remember that the player is not the only factor. The team’s approach also matters:
- Anderson: “The Pirates essentially have two strategies moving forward. The first is to select the best player available. In this case, Crews would be the choice if the Pittsburgh front office and scouting department agree with industry evaluations. The other strategy, typically employed when there isn’t a clear-cut No. 1 player, is the same approach used by the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles. This strategy involves selecting the “cheapest” player from the top tier, and then allocating the savings toward players with signability concerns who may have slipped down the draft board.”
You can read R.J.’s complete insights here, and check out Mike Axisa’s latest mock draft here.
Top 25 NFL Players Under 25: Offensive Superstars Dominate 🏈
Claire Komarek, CBS Sports
Ah, to be young and at the pinnacle of your sport. Our Cody Benjamin has ranked the top 25 NFL players under 25 years old, and this list is filled with stars that excite us about the present and future of the league (the fact that I’m older than everyone on this list for the first time at 26 doesn’t excite me, though. But let’s not dwell on that).
Unsurprisingly, the top spot among these young stars — and I don’t think anyone would disagree — belongs to…
- Benjamin: “1. Justin Jefferson — Jefferson has made the best start by any receiver in NFL history, steadily increasing his annual yardage totals from 1,400 to 1,616 to 1,809. While he’s not invincible, he has come close to it, effortlessly maneuvering past every secondary he faces with smooth, rapid route-running and a talent for making big plays in crucial moments.”
Jefferson ranked fifth on this list last year, so his superstar status was already well-established. However, the second-ranked player this year did not make the cut in the previous year’s list at all.
- Benjamin: “2. Jalen Hurts — Over three seasons, Hurts has transitioned from a scrambler to a competent quarterback and finally to a bona fide star under center. In reality, he has been getting better every year since his college days. Known for his unyielding determination and work ethic, Hurts has displayed significantly improved downfield touch and accuracy on his way to leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl.”
Hurts’ impressive rise brings to mind which player could make a similar leap from outside the top 25 this year to a high rank on the list next year. My pick is Christian Watson. From Weeks 10-18 of the previous year, only three wide receivers who qualified — Davante Adams, Jerry Jeudy, and Jefferson himself — recorded a higher yards per target. Watson possesses the potential to create big plays, and I have high expectations.
You can view Cody’s complete list here.
What to Watch on Wednesday 📺
🏀 Sparks vs. Sky, at noon on NBA TV
🏒 NHL Draft, at 7 p.m. on ESPN
⚽ St. Kitts and Nevis vs. USMNT, at 9:30 p.m. on FS1
