The NHL regular season is coming to a close, and the playoffs are here.
As the league turns its attention to the playoffs, another topic of discussion is bound to be the NHL Awards Show set for June.
This was the most exciting NHL regular season in recent memory, with dominant teams, a hectic player race, and some fantastic individual efforts defining the 2023-2024 season.
The rookies were no exception, as a generational talent broke into the league, but his quest for the Calder was met with some willing challengers.
Here are the top three contenders for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year.
RELATED ARTICLE: NHL Award Predictions: Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon Both Deserving of Hart Trophy as MVP
1. Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
Bedard entered this season with sky-high expectations, and he delivered. His unique blend of astonishing speed and a lightning-quick release made him an immediate offensive force.
The numbers reflect that, as he finished at 22 goals and 39 assists, for a 61-point season to start off his career.
A broken jaw in the middle of the season briefly derailed his campaign, and it's the only reason this award is even up for discussion.
If Bedard is healthy for the full season, he's likely a unanimous winner. It's going to be a treat to watch him develop as the Blackhawks do more to surround him with capable talent.
READ MORE: NHL Award Predictions: Why Connor Hellebuyck Gets the Vezina Nod Over Thatcher Demko
2. Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
If anyone was going to make this race a discussion with a full season of Bedard, it would have been Faber.
The right-handed defenseman wasted no time this year showing that he belonged in this league, as he quickly earned the trust of Minnesota's coaching staff and proved he could handle tough assignments on a nightly basis.
The 21-year-old is outstanding in all three zones, and he topped the 40-point mark and managed to keep his plus/minus positive on a team that missed the playoffs while playing well over 20 minutes per night.
The Wild are a team in desperate need of an infusion of young talent, and Faber's presence as a member of their core is a big development for their franchise.
RELATED ARTICLE: NHL Award Predictions: Who Wins the Norris Trophy Race Between Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes?
3. Pyotr Kochetkov, Carolina Hurricanes
Bedard and Faber's presence on this list make it ludicrous to consider another forward or another defenseman, as those two were so clearly superior to their competition at their positions.
We'll give a nod to Kochetkov here then, as the young Russian goalie stormed on to the scene in the absence of Frederik Andersen to give the Carolina Hurricanes reliably good goaltending without their starter.
Kochetkov not only survived as the full-time starter, but he thrived, as the Hurricanes have been the best team in the NHL since the New Year thanks in large part to his contributions.
The Russian sits at 21-13-4 with a .910 save percentage, certainly making him one of the best goalies in the league that is not in the Vezina Trophy race.
READ MORE: Picks and Predictions for All 8 NHL First Round Playoff Series
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
