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Connor Bedard breaks silence on first overall rivalry with Macklin Celebrini, makes opinion clear as day


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Julien Trekker
November 7, 2025  (5:20 PM)
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Connor Bedard broke his silence on the rivalry with fellow first overall pick Macklin Celebrini and made his opinion clear as day in an interview with The Athletic.

The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks are two teams that, even if they don't shine in the standings, are exciting to watch.
After years of rebuilding around first overall picks Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, the two organizations appear on the verge of breaking out.
Celebrini and Bedard, often compared as they fight for a spot on the Olympics roster, are the face of the next generation of NHLers.
Once and for all, Bedard made his opinion clear on the whole debate surrounding the better player.

Bedard Shares His Thoughts On Celebrini Comparisons In New Interview

During an interview with Mark Lazerus of The Athletic alongside his teammate Frank Nazar, Bedard opened up on the debates about him and Celebrini.
He agreed that it's good for the game and that fans like it, but doesn't pay much attention to it.
Per Mark Lazerus:
"Bedard: I don't care. When you're a fan, it's fun. At the end of the day, we're entertainment, as well. As a kid, you're always debating who's better or what duo. I look at it from a fan's perspective, and I think that's just fun - stupid arguments over what player's better. If it's comparing us to the good old days, or -

Lazerus: You and (Macklin) Celebrini.

Bedard: Yeah, exactly. It's great for the game, stuff like that. It just grows the game, people shredding each other about guys they never met or don't know.

At the end of the day, we're getting paid a lot of money to play a game, and we want fans to enjoy it and that's part of it. I think that stuff's fun. I don't care, I don't look at it. But for them, it's good."
Both Bedard and Celebrini will be in action tonight.
Bedard and the Hawks will face the Flames in Calgary, while the San Jose Sharks and Celebrini will host the Winnipeg Jets.
So far this season, Bedard has 18 points, including seven goals, in 14 games.
In the same number of games, Celebrini has 21 points, including eight goals.
POLL
NOVEMBRE 7   |   126 ANSWERS
Connor Bedard breaks silence on first overall rivalry with Macklin Celebrini, makes opinion clear as day

Who do you think is better?

Macklin Celebrini1612.7 %
Connor Bedard11087.3 %
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