Sunday's game between the Blackhawks and Wild was nearly meaningless in the standings. But Bedard and Faber, the NHL's two top rookie-of-year candidates met on the ice... along with Rossi, Minnesota's standout first-year forward.

Chicago's Connor Bedard and Minnesota's Brock Faber are the leading candidates for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie this season.

Bedard, a crafty, slithery center, and Faber, a solidly-built, minutes-eating defenseman, couldn't be more different. It's impossible to compare them.

But Faber was flashier in the Wild's 4-0 win over the Blackhawks on Sunday at the United Center.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound D-man made a nifty pass to set up Kirill Kaprisov's second goal of the game. Faber also skated a contest-high 24:03.

"I'm not focused on any of the Calder stuff," Faber said. "I'm focused on winning games and just trying to put my best foot forward every night."

But Faber added about Bedard, "He's a superstar. He's incredible. You know playing against him, you gotta' know where he is on the ice."

Minnesota rookie forward Marco Rossi ripped in his 21st goal, to put him right on Bedard's tail in that category. 

Blackhawks Blanked Again

Another Wild rookie, goalie Jesper Wallstedt, made 24 saves in his second NHL game to hold off an almost non-existent Chicago attack. The Blackhawks were shut out for an league-leading 13th time.

Coach Luke Richardson said his team was "like a dog chasing its tail" at times. See video.

Kaprizov added two assists to finish with four points as the Wild kept their faint playoff hopes alive. Frederick Gaudreau scored on a deflection against Arvid Söderblom, who blocked 33 shots.

Bedard couldn't get much going in this one, settling for one shot on goal, having one blocked and firing another wide.  

With five games remaining, it looks like 23-49-5 Chicago is nearly locked into 31st place in the overall NHL standings. That will give the Blackhawks 13.5% odds at winning the top overall pick in the NHL Draft lottery in early May.

That selection is expected to be 17-year-old Boston University power forward Macklin Celebrini.

Calder Concerns

Bedard's path to the NHL has been pretty direct.

Get drafted first overall in 2023 by the Blackhawks, then start playing with Chicago as an 18-year-old in the fall.

Then lead the NHL in rookie scoring with 22 goals, 59 points and 199 shots in 62 games. All that despite some fits, starts and on-the-job lessons with a rebuilding team — including missing 14 games with a broken jaw.

OK, Bedard is a minus 38, albeit on a  team with a minus-99 goal differential.

Faber has followed a different path. He's just 21, but looks, is built and carries himself like a more-experienced NHLer.

From the Twin Cities suburb of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Faber played in the U.S. National Development program, not Minnesota high school leagues as a teen.

Then it was on to the University of Minnesota for three seasons before turning pro with the Wild after the Gophers 2022-23 campaign ended.

"The National Development Team program, you get thrown into uncomfortable situations kind of right away as a 15- 16-year-old kid, playing against guys that are bigger, older and stronger," Faber said. "Playing with the Gophers the same thing. Playing in front of big crowds and playing big important games against guys that are older than you or physically bigger than you, whatever it is.

"Those definitely prepared me and allowed me to just be able to play my game this year."

Faber's draft spot and rights were kicked around before Los Angeles got him in the second round in 2020 with the 45th selection. The Kings traded him in June 2022 with a first-round pick in the 2022 draft to the Wild for forward Kevin Fiala.

Faber has seven goals and 36 assists in 77 games. He's a plus-2 on a team with a minus-9 goals differential and leads the Wild with 25:01 of ice time per game.