Connor Bedard Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The race for the NHL’s Calder Trophy is back in full force as Connor Bedard returned from a fractured jaw and immediately picked up right where he left off.
Meanwhile, Brock Faber continues his exceptional run of play, increasing the offensive side of his game while maintaining his defensive acumen.
While Bedard has come back from injury, another injury has affected the Calder contest. Adam Fantilli was gaining ground but a lacerated calf will keep him out long term. The eight- to 10-week timeline that will keep him out until the end of March takes the 2023 third overall pick out of the running.
It’s become a two-horse race for the NHL’s rookie of the year. The battle for third is a mix of players who have been solid for the duration of the season and guys who have made a late arrival in the race, playing significantly fewer games but making a noticeable impact.
Let’s get down to business and do our monthly check-in of the NHL’s top rookies.
1. Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks
The king reclaims his throne. Connor Bedard has only played seven games since returning on Feb. 15, and he’s already racked up seven points in the span. Bedard has asserted himself as the Hawks’ best player once again. Unfortunately, even the super rookie hasn’t helped Chicago to many wins as their roster is depleted, even with his return.
Bedard is already establishing himself as a legitimate scoring threat every time he is on the ice, thanks to his wicked snap shot. He makes the Hawks entertaining, at least when his line is on the ice.
There is an air to Bedard that demands your attention. His presence is impressive, so he reclaims the top spot on the Calder Tracker.
2. Brock Faber, D, Minnesota Wild
His reign at the top lasted just one iteration of the Calder Tracker. However, that is incredibly impressive considering the player he dethroned is none other than Bedard. The craziest part of the situation is that Faber is hardly out of the running. He could even reasonably be considered the 1B because of the impressive way that Faber has excelled at both ends of the ice, seemingly improving week by week.
His skating is so high-level that he is able to leverage that trait to be an efficient and effective player both defensively and offensively. Faber came into the year with a refined defensive game, using his mobility and intelligence to cut play off and eliminate the threat in a calm, cool, and collected manner. His offensive game has grown as he’s become more confident. 18 of his 34 points have come since the new year and it hasn’t come at a cost in his own end. Faber would be the leader as we head down the stretch in most years.
3. Marco Rossi, C, Minnesota Wild
Overshadowed by his teammate, Marco Rossi has quietly been doing a lot of great things. His offensive game has been growing as the season has worn on and he’s done an excellent job of earning a bigger role with the Wild, centering the top line at times through the season. Rossi’s game is built on intelligence, using his work ethic and skill in combination.
Although sits third in rookie scoring despite being moved all around the lineup, Rossi’s defensive abilities are what gives him a bit of a differentiating factor from the rest of the rookie class. He understands where to be and when to be there in his own end, reading the play and quickly diffusing any danger that arises. Rossi may not be in the upper tier of the rookie class with Bedard and Faber, but he is starting to garner recognition as the best of the rest.
4. Connor Zary, LW, Calgary Flames
Zary has been a breath of fresh air for the Flames, which have been largely stifled throughout the year. He didn’t join the NHL club until November but has been an incredibly productive player since, sitting second in points per game. Simply put, Zary has been one of the Flames’ best skaters this season.
Zary has largely done his damage at even strength while playing middle six minutes. He’s been a player that the Flames can rely upon in big moments, as he’s developed a knack for coming through right when they need him. A lot has gone wrong in Calgary this year, but Zary has been a hugely positive development for the club.
5. Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks
The story has been the same with Carlsson all season – if he was in the lineup every day and playing as many games as everyone else in the rookie class, he would probably be closer to the top of the group than five.
Carlsson has played in just 40 games as many of this year’s first-year players reach 60. The development plan that has limited the number of Carlsson’s games may wind up being good for him in the long term and allow him to fully adapt to the NHL, but it’s made it hard for him to stay in the Calder race.
With that said, the 18-year-old Swedish center has been splendid. His combination of skill and power has been on display all season. He is developing into a true dual-threat center who can buy the puck or make life easier on teammates as a facilitator. He’s arguably been Anahiem’s best player when he has been on the ice.
6. Dmitri Voronkov, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Although Adam Fantilli has taken most of the attention when it comes to Blue Jackets rookies, it’s actually Voronkov who leads Columbus freshmen in scoring. He has a great shot and sits third in rookie goal-scoring with 16 goals.
The 6-foot-5 winger had his first fight to cap off a solid month of February, sticking up for a teammate who was a victim of a bad hit. Voronkov won’t get love nationally, but he’s been an excellent story in Columbus this year for a team having a very bad time.
7. Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey Devils
Hughes has been thrust into a bigger role for the Devils, with Dougie Hamilton’s injury taking him out of the lineup. Although his defensive warts have been evident, Hughes has helped keep the Devils’ power play afloat – until recently, when New Jersey has been atrocious.
His scoring rate took quite a hit in February. He had just three assists in a dozen games in the month. It’s been a down month, but he remains second in scoring among rookie defensemen.
8. Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Carolina Hurricanes
After stints in the NHL each of the last two seasons, Kochetkov has finally taken the reins as the starter in Carolina and was the NHL’s rookie of the month for February.
While it hasn’t always been consistent, the 24-year-old boasts solid numbers with a .911 save percentage through 31 games. The Canes have been desperate for someone to put together a solid string of play in the net, and Kotchetkov has become their guy. Finding consistency in the final month-and-a-half of the regular season could make the Hurricanes a scary team come playoff time.
9. Samuel Ersson, G, Philadelphia Flyers
It’s Ersson’s net in Philly, and he’s done a serviceable job thus far.
He won five of his eight starts in February, giving him the lead among all rookies in wins while putting up a .901 save percentage. The Flyers plan on seeing what they have in the 24-year-old netminder by giving him some run to close the season. A strong finish to the season could mean he ends up as their starter as his new two-year contract kicks off next year.
10. Matthew Knies, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
There could have been several players that occupy this spot, but Knies’ 24 even-strength points rank him tied for fourth among rookies. He doesn’t get nearly the same opportunity on the power play that other rookies have gotten, playing the tail end after Toronto’s top unit takes on most of the man advantage. Only Ridly Greig and Fantilli sit in the top 15 of rookie scoring and have less than double of Knies’ power-play production to this point. Knies is doing all of his damage at even strength, albeit with some pretty stellar linemates.
Late to the Party: Logan Stankoven, RW, Dallas Stars
Although he has played just four games since his recent call-up, Stankoven has four points in the span and has looked more than comfortable at the NHL level.
Playing on a line with Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn, Stankoven has brought some more energy and pace to the Stars’ lineup. He plays with speed, skill, and an undying desire to outwork his opponents.
The fun part about Stankoven is that even if he plays every game from now until the end of the season, he will have just 24 games played, meaning he will remain eligible for the Calder Trophy next season, coming in just under the 25-game threshold.
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