Could Kyle Davidson target Tanner Howe in the 2024 NHL Draft?

With Connor Bedard entering his rookie season with the Blackhawks, the expectations are high for the young #1 overall selection. We all believe that he'll produce well, help the team, and ignite a new era of hockey in Chicago. One thing that isn't known right now though is whom will he play with; in particular who will he line up with?

Kyle Davidson went out and traded for Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno and acquired Corey Perry. We still have Tyler Johnson, Andreas Athanasiou, and Taylor Raddysh from a veteran perspective as well. These 6 forwards all have NHL experience and ability to perhaps pair with Bedard. It is however more likely that the longer term solution is somewhere either in our prospect pool or in one of the next few drafts' 1st round.

Lukas Reichel, Frank Nazar, Gavin Hayes, Ryan Greene, Oliver Moore, Nick Lardis, Colton Dach, Jalen Lyupin, and Roman Kantserov may all get their chance to pair with our young star, but what if simple apply "Occam's Razor". In basic terms this means, "the simplest explanation is preferable to one that is more complex".

Enter in Tanner Howe, winger for the Regina Pats that is entering his draft -1 season as a 2024 eligible prospect. Howe didn't come into major junior with high expectations at all. Small, some-what over looked 4th round pick that projected as a hard working bottom 6 wing.

While playing with Bedard, Howe has netted 63 goals and 154 points in 131 WHL contests over the last 2 regular seasons. That certainly is defying the narrative he had when he was a 4th round pick. Howe has shown elusive ability, in tight skating prowess, and a quick release. He also has shown the most important skill trait to one particular NHL franchise: The skill of knowing how to play with Connor Bedard.

As we know from our time watching Patrick Kane, playing with a player that skilled isn't always easy. To be intuitively aware of how they pass, think, and where they want you to be to creat scoring chances is something only a few could do. Artemi Panarin, Alex DeBrincat, and Patrick Sharp were certainly up to the task and now it's Kyle Davidson and Luke Richardson's job to find Connor Bedard skilled wings to play with.

So while we search through what we currently have, just know that there is already a 1st round talent in next draft that has already proven he is up to the assignment.

Here is some resounding proof!