Connor Bedard has been the most hyped prospect to join the league since Connor McDavid in 2015. As a result, the 18-year-old has received tons of media attention creating pressure on him as he is expected to be one of the best players in the league right away. <h2>Matthews Stands Up For Bedard</h2> Auston Matthews, another former first overall pick from 2016, is familiar with the way Bedard has come into the league. Matthews himself had to deal with the media, hype, and expectations much the same way as he was also labeled as a superstar coming out of his draft year. The Leafs forward shared some words of support for Bedard ahead of tonight's game. <q>They certainly started him off on the all-circus tour here. It's a lot, but I think in the end, you just want to play hockey. That's what's most important.</q> <div align='center' style='padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px;'><img src='https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/324597.webp' width='100%' border='0' alt='image' loading='lazy' defer /></div> <h2>Hall Defends Team Mate</h2> Matthews has not been the only former 1st overall pick to say something about the way the media has treated Bedard. Bedard's own teammate Taylor Hall had a few things to say about the 18-year-old center. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/marcmethot3/status/1713907904481222694?s=46&t=o-Q0QckAboRGrsPBT1vFrQ&fbclid=IwAR1StLV3dl5hXJzJ59TJ8MyY7JMFnwcCtZaJD8B9cwoyPcTFs_NjHqzzNlY'> </a></blockquote></div> <q>He does way too many in game interviews and stuff. I think that they need to find a way to just let him play. I think he understands his role as a major ambassador for the game of hockey and he's handling it so well. He doesn't seem to be phased by it but I think that it can be a little much for him at times. He doesn't say that but it feels like it is.</q> There are very few players who truly understand the pressure that comes from being drafted 1st overall but Matthews and Hall are two of them. Hopefuly Hall can help Bedard navigate the hockey world on and off the ice. As seen on <a href='https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/auston-matthews-and-taylor-hall-call-out-circus-around-connor-bedard?fbclid=IwAR2hyXbZD-u819pucGerri871AjSxdy4FfmxAkSN4itvu55LReq5b-Z1p8Y&mibextid=9R9pXO' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Auston Matthews and Taylor Hall call out «circus» around Connor Bedard</a>