Chicago Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard might be sidelined for some time. Throughout Friday’s recreation towards the New Jersey Devils, Bedard was bringing the puck into the offensive zone when Devils defenseman Brendan Smith delivered a giant hit on the rookie phenom.

Bedard instantly went to the locker room and was dominated out for the rest of the competition. On Saturday, the Blackhawks introduced that Bedard had been positioned on injured reserve after struggling a fractured jaw on account of the hit.

Earlier than being compelled out of the lineup, Bedard was extensively considered because the Calder Trophy frontrunner, which is yearly awarded to the NHL’s prime rookie. Bedard had 33 factors (15 targets & 18 assists) in 39 video games for the Blackhawks earlier than the harm.

It is at present unclear precisely how lengthy Bedard will probably be out of the lineup. Even when it is only a few weeks, that might utterly alter the Calder Trophy race for the 2023-24 season.

Here is a take a look at the highest Calder Trophy contenders if Bedard misses substantial time:

Luke Hughes

New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes has additionally put collectively fairly a spectacular rookie marketing campaign up up to now. Hughes is only one level behind Adam Fantilli and Marco Rossi in the case of factors by a rookie. The previous first-round choose has tallied 23 factors (seven targets & 16 assists) in 38 video games this season.

Hughes beforehand had a four-game level streak late final month and has tallied at the least one level in 5 of his final six contests. As well as, the Devils blue-liner had scored a objective in three consecutive video games and joined Barry Beck (1977-78) as the one participant in franchise historical past to realize that feat. Hughes has been closely concerned in New Jersey’s offensive assault and is among the many staff’s prime two defensive pairings. Regardless of being a defenseman, Hughes ranks fourth on the Devils in factors (23), whereas additionally rating third on the staff in assists (16).

Adam Fantilli

Columbus Blue Jackets ahead Adam Fantilli is at present tied for second within the NHL in factors (33) behind Bedard and might be the highest contender for the Calder Trophy if Bedard is out for some time. Fantilli has registered 11 targets and 13 assists in 41 video games all through the 2023-24 marketing campaign to date. 

Fantilli is at present centering the Blue Jackets’ prime line and skating alongside star winger Johnny Gaudreau and ahead Justin Danforth. Over the past 5 video games, the College of Michigan product has tallied two targets and an help. Fantilli has lately seen his ice time enhance as he is averaging 19:38 over his final three video games and has logged at the least 20:18 in every of his final two contests. Whereas he isn’t fairly as deadly as Bedard, Fantilli has an opportunity to make a run on the award if Bedard misses a lofty period of time.

Marco Rossi

One other ahead who might stake a declare to the Calder Trophy is Minnesota Wild heart Marco Rossi. Rossi is tied with Fantilli for second amongst rookies in factors (24), and has logged 12 targets and 12 assists in 38 video games in 2023-24. 

Very similar to Fantilli, Rossi has thrived throughout his rookie marketing campaign to the purpose the place he is now skating on the Wild’s prime line with Matt Boldy and Mats Zuccarello. Rossi lately scored a objective in a 4-3 additional time win towards the Blue Jackets on Saturday. The 22-year-old had performed in 21 video games over the earlier two seasons, however that is the primary season during which he is earned appreciable taking part in time. Rossi’s offensive prowess goes to be much more needed within the coming weeks as star winger Kirill Kaprizov is at present on injured reserve on account of an upper-body harm.

Brock Faber

Luke Hughes is not the one proficient defenseman within the rookie ranks this season. Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber has actually burst onto the scene with 19 factors (two targets & 17 assists) in 38 video games throughout the 2023-24 marketing campaign.

After showing in simply two video games throughout the 2022-23 season, Faber has developed right into a stellar defensive piece for the Wild. Faber is coming off of a three-assist efficiency in a 4-3 additional time win towards the Columbus Blue Jackets in his most up-to-date recreation. The 21-year-old’s 17 assists are second solely to Bedard (18) amongst rookies. Whereas the scoring numbers have not been eye-popping to date, Faber has nonetheless established himself as one of the spectacular rookies this season and would deserve Calder Trophy consideration if Bedard falls out of the combination.