Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard has repeatedly said he's not thinking about the 2023-24 Calder Trophy. Connor Bedard during a break in a 2023-24 home game. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0OTgyMTUzMjg3NTc1Mjky/usatsi_22762948_168401008_lowres.jpg] Connor Bedard during a break in a 2023-24 home game. The same is pretty much true of Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber. Both will have to work harder not to think about the NHL's rookie of the year award starting next week. Bedard and Faber are slam-dunks to be on the list of three finalists for the Calder when it's announced on Tuesday, April 30 at 11 a.m. ET. "That's not something I focus on," Bedard said last week. "During the year, I just focus on playing hockey and trying to be the best I can be. "That stuff takes care of itself and I'm not overly worried." See video. Connor Bedard's final thoughts (none, officially) on the Calder Trophy race... and his season. The only question might be, who will join Bedard and Faber among the finalists? It's academic. That player's not going to win. Technically, the Calder Memorial Trophy is "presented annually to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition.” First awarded in 1932-33, the selection is made by voting members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. There are specific criteria as to who qualifies as a rookie.https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/calder-memorial-trophy [https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/calder-memorial-trophy] BEDARD VS FABER: NICE CONTRAST The 18-year-old Bedard led all rookies with 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games. He missed 14 games at mid-season with a broken jaw. Brock Faber in action for Minnesota. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1ODU0OTI5Mjk2ODI4MDI0/usatsi_23058686_168401008_lowres.jpg] Brock Faber in action for Minnesota. The heralded top draft pick of 2023, Bedard dazzled at times. The North Vancouver, British Columbia native scuffled at others has he jumped directly from junior hockey to the NHL with the 31st place Blackhawks, a rebuilding team made even thinner by injuries. Faber, 21, had the benefit of three NCAA seasons with the University of Minnesota before debuting with the Wild. From the Twin Cities suburbs, the 6-foot, 200-pound Faber played in all 82 games and saw his ice time rise to a team leading 24:58 (tops for rookies) per game after Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon was injured. Faber finished with eight goals and 39 assists and was a minus-1 on a team with a minus-12 goals differential. Bedard was a minus-44 on a team with minus-111 goals differential. Bedard averaged 19:47 of ice time per game, most among rookie forwards. Who will be the third Calder finalist? Possibilities include New Jersey defenseman Luke Hughes, Minnesota forward Marco Rossi, Arizona forward Logan Cooley, Nashville forward Luke Evangelista and Toronto forward Matthew Knies. The finalists for 10 league awards will be announced starting on Monday, April 29. The NHL strings them out, one per day, to maximize media coverage. The winners will be announced at the league's awards ceremony, expected to take place in Las Vegas in late June just before the NHL's final centralized draft.
