The Calder Trophy finalists for the NHL’s top rookie as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association have been announced. The race for this year’s Calder trophy does have a clear favourite in Connor Bedard, but the decision does come down to the final vote tally. Each of finalists, along with Brock Faber and Luke Hughes, had exceptional freshmen campaigns in their own right.
Calder Trophy finalists, as voted by @ThePHWA: Connor Bedard (CHI), Brock Faber (MIN) and Luke Hughes (NJ).
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 30, 2024
The Calder Trophy Finalists Are Bedard, Faber, and the Next Hughes
Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks has done a great job of living up to the lofty expectations set before him. With 61 points, he won the NHL rookie scoring race by 14 (funny enough, over the other two candidates). And this was despite a six-week absence due to a jaw injury. Moreover, Bedard’s numbers really are spectacular, with 22 goals, and averaging 19:47 of ice time a night. His CF% Rel was at 10.6. Excellent for a rookie still adjusting to the speed of the NHL game. Bedard is going to be tough to beat in this category.
Brock Faber’s Bid for the Calder Trophy
Bedard’s competition comes from two defencemen, but we will put Brock Faber as the top contender for the rookie of the year crown. Faber ended up with eight goals and 39 assists for 47 points. In addition, perhaps the number that stands out the most for Faber, was his incredible 24:58 of average ice time. That’s actually good enough for sixth in the entire NHL in the 2023-24 regular season. Faber plays aggressively, and will be a joy to watch for the years to come. It is this style of play that will help garner him some votes. If not for being on a mediocre at best Minnesota Wild team this year, maybe Faber’s stock would’ve been even higher. Look for him to come up short against Bedard, but he should give him a good run for his money.
Luke Hughes Ran up Against Two Good Ones
The next finalist is one that will likely take some votes away from Faber, just because he is a defenceman. New Jersey Devil Luke Hughes established himself as an excellent NHL defenceman and a staple on the point on the power play. Both difficult to do as a rookie defenceman in the NHL. Of course, we knew he would do fine, given his pedigree of two other NHL playing brothers, Quinn and Jack Hughes. Hughes will get some Calder trophy votes, but his competition is too tough to prevail. Faber plays too complete of a game, and should win out. And that’s not even mentioning, Bedard, a forward, who is the favourite.
Based on our analysis of Bedard, Faber, and Hughes, that should be the order of voting they receive for the 2024 NHL Calder Trophy. Each played fantastic, but Bedard had too high of a ceiling, so was already capturing the spotlight, and did too well of a job living up to it. Faber should finish second, and ask any Wild fan, his flare on the ice is well-deserving. Hughes could’ve walked away with the trophy on another year as well. Look for him to continue to get stronger and gain more offensive confidence, and be in the running for the Norris Trophy, just like his brother, Quinn Hughes, for years to come.
Main photo: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
