Top 4 rookies who can still challenge Connor Bedard for the Calder Trophy

Connor Bedard has been one of the most outstanding rookie forwards over the last decade, and no other forward comes close to beating him for the Calder Trophy. Following the Blackhawks recent loss to the Los Angeles Kings, Bedard notched another point, giving him 54 in 55 appearances this season, 21 goals, 33 assists, and a solid 12.6 shooting percentage. 

Bedard may be turnover-prone, with 46 giveaways in those 55 games, but hey, there isn’t a single rookie in NHL history who hasn’t struggled in one avenue or another. Giveaways aside, Bedard still has 43 takeaways, 42 hits, and 21 blocked shots, which are all sound defensive numbers.

Looking at his overall basic statistics, don’t be surprised when Bedard becomes a perennial contender for the Hart, Selke, Ross, Lindsay, and Richard Trophies. For 2023-24, he can just focus on the Calder, and while it looks like he will be a shoo-in for the award, it’s not as clear-cut as you think. 

Connor Bedard is facing competition for the Calder Trophy

While there isn’t a single forward who will challenge to pass Bedard following another unforeseen injury plus a late-season surge from someone like Marco Rossi, there are two defensemen and two goaltenders, especially the final name on this slideshow, who not only can but will challenge Bedard. 

The defensemen listed are remarkable two-way players who will be strong candidates for the Norris Trophy a few years from today. As for the goaltenders, one has helped take their team further than anyone expected, and the other has been playing like a Vezina candidate. 

While Bedard remains the frontrunner for the Calder, he cannot afford to see his play drop from now until April. If that occurs and those listed in the following slides stay consistent, there will be an upset. 

Samuel Ersson has been an outstanding goaltender on an average team

Few thought highly of Samuel Ersson early this season, but the Philadelphia Flyers have been overachieving since they turned to him as their No. 1 goaltender earlier in the year. After posting so-so numbers that included an 0.899 save percentage, a 3.07 GAA, a 0.500 quality starts percentage, and a shutout, we didn’t know how well Ersson would fare this season. But he’s been one of the best among those eligible to take the Calder Trophy. 

The Flyers are not a good hockey team despite their position in the standings, and you only need to look at the way they struggle to score to know that, ranking 21st in the NHL with 206 goals for. To make matters worse, Philadelphia is top 10 in Corsi For at 5-on-5, and they are second in shots on goal, yet their 8.8 shooting percentage is the fourth-worst in the NHL.

The point? This team isn’t giving their rookie goaltender much room for error because they can’t score despite the number of shots they take per game. Ersson has felt the pressure numerous times this season through 40 appearances, yet he’s done an outstanding job of helping this team stay in contention. 

His overall numbers won’t wow you, with a 0.898 save percentage, a 2.68 GAA, and just 20 wins in 38 starts. But he also has three shutouts, plus a 0.579 quality starts percentage, and if he enjoys a few more stellar games, he will give Bedard serious competition. 

Luke Hughes has been better than advertised in his rookie year

While Jack Hughes didn’t warrant much, if any, consideration for the Calder, you can’t say the same for Luke Hughes. Jack finished the 2019-20 season with just 21 points and seven goals in 61 contests despite showing immense potential that season. As for Luke, he’s operating at more than a half-point per game, which is stellar for a blueliner. 

With 35 points and eight goals in 69 contests, the only real blemish on Luke’s stat line is his minus-19 rating, but that’s half of what we have seen from Bedard, who is currently at minus-38. Hughes is just 20 years old, and he’s already logging top-four minutes. Plus, he’s getting a stick on the puck almost every time an opponent challenges him. 

Unlike Faber, however, Luke Hughes isn’t someone who will log shorthanded minutes on special teams, but he has been reliable on the power play this season. Across nearly 235 minutes of ice time on the man advantage, Hughes has a 14.5 on-ice shooting percentage, helping the Devils score 34 times on the power play. He has also logged 18 points and four goals at 5-on-4. 

Hughes would need an epic run to pass Faber and supplant Bedard, however. But he had a four-game points streak earlier this season that saw him log six points and three goals in that span. If he has one more similar streak, there is a good chance Hughes closes the gap on Faber, Bedard, and potentially Ersson. 

Pyotr Kochetkov has put up borderline Vezina numbers lately

If there is anyone on this list who has an outstanding chance to beat Connor Bedard for the Calder Trophy, Pyotr Kochetkov is that player. He has become the clear-cut No. 1 goaltender for a talented Carolina Hurricanes team that is still within striking distance of snagging the Presidents’ Trophy and the top overall seed for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Carolina could, and probably should have, looked to trade for a goaltender as insurance at the deadline, especially given how turbulent the entire rotation has been this season. But here is Kochetkov, barely eligible for Calder consideration after playing in 24 games last year and logging a 0.909 save percentage, a 2.44 GAA, four shutouts, and a 0.565 quality starts percentage. 

Excellent numbers for such a young goaltender, and despite struggling earlier this season, Kochetkov has elevated his game to match this talented Hurricanes team. He has just 19 wins in 34 starts and 36 appearances, but his 0.913 save percentage, 2.36 GAA, three shutouts, and 0.588 quality starts percentage will give him outstanding consideration. 

Kochetkov may not have been completely consistent this season, but it shouldn’t matter - he’s not just one of the best Calder-eligible players this season; he’s one of the league’s fastest-rising goaltenders. 

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)