Why Teuvo Teravainen is Safer Bet Than Connor Bedard Next Season

Chicago became one of hockey's hottest markets once again last season with Connor Bedard stepping onto the ice for the first time. The 19-year-old Vancouver native was an instant marvel that had hockey fans blown away with his talent at such a young age.

Bedard reminded many of superstar Connor McDavid and with that, the Blackhawks became one of the most bet on teams last season. It will be interesting to what is to come in a sophomore campaign from Bedard. Sportsbooks have his over/under for point total next season at 82.5 (-110 on Bet365).

He finished his first full season in Chicago with 22 goals and 39 assists for 61 points in 68 games. The 14 missed games was due to a fractured jaw that should be fully healed up for next season but the large jump in his projected numbers is more likely due to who he'll now be playing with.

This off-season, Chicago signed former Maple Leaf Tyler Bertuzzi and former Hurricane Teuvo Teravainen, who are both slated to play alongside Bedard in early projections of next season's lines. This however may not be as big of an ungrade for the talent around him as people think.

The point total from Bertuzzi and Teravainen last season was 96 compared to the 91 points that Philipp Kurashev and Nick Foligno earned playing alongside Bedard last season. The five point difference isn't enough for me to be convinced thay Bedard will find his way to being an above point-per-game player.

I certainly think the trio could help each other improve but there's a chance it could not be as big as we think in Bedard's case and I can I see the possibility of improvement being more likely for Teuvo Teravainen rather than Bedard.

Teravainen's over/under point total is a far safer 49.5 points (-110 on Bet365) which he could easily hit as he has surpassed 50 points in five of the last seven seasons. He will get an additional boost with Bedard on his line now and presents as a more reliable betting option over Bedard.

Click here to check out more offseason stories on future bets before it’s too late and odds change.