Calder Trophy Rankings: Another Connor enters the mix

It may be a new year, but the podium on these rankings is the same as December's edition. Those three guys have just been great, OK?

That being said, two new names are on the list this time. We've got to keep things fresh somehow.

Here's how the Calder Trophy race is shaping up three months into the 2023-24 campaign.

5. Connor Zary, Flames

We've gotta give Zary his flowers because he's doing great work.

Unlike the rest of the rookies on this list, Zary wasn't on an NHL team to start the 2023-24 campaign. He earned a call-up to the Flames on Nov. 1 after logging 10 points in six games with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, and he hasn't looked back. Since making his NHL debut, he ranks fourth on the Flames in points and fifth in goals.

Zary is trailing in the rookie scoring race thanks to the delayed start to his campaign. However, he owns the second-best point-per-game rate (0.65) out of all first-year players to appear in at least 15 contests this season. Zary leads Calgary in goals above replacement (6.7) and wins above replacement (1.1) while ranking among the top four rookies in both metrics.

The 22-year-old has spent most of his ice time alongside Nazem Kadri, and his presence has provided a much-needed boost for the veteran. Prior to Zary's debut, Kadri logged just two points in the first nine games of the season. But he's racked up 24 points in his last 27 outings.

Many expected Matt Coronato to be the Flames' most impactful rookie, but Zary has stolen the show.

4. Adam Fantilli, Blue Jackets

Welcome to the regular-season rankings, Fantilli.

Yeah, December belonged to the No. 1 guy on this list, but it also belonged to Fantilli. He led all rookies with seven goals in 14 games over the last month while ranking second with 13 points. For those who don't feel like doing mental math, that means all but four of his goals and 10 of his points came in December. It feels pretty safe to say he's starting to find his way in the NHL.

Thanks to his wintery outburst, Fantilli sits second among rookies in goals and points on the season. He's also got a good shot to add to his total due to his recent promotion to the top line. The 19-year-old has slotted in as the Blue Jackets' No. 1 center since Dec. 14, with usual pivot Boone Jenner sidelined by a jaw injury. Fantilli's been up to the challenge so far, racking up three goals and seven points in eight games while averaging almost 17 minutes of ice time.

The 2023 third overall pick scored in back-to-back contests and is currently enjoying a four-game point streak. Fantilli can continue staking his claim as a potential Calder finalist if he can build off that momentum in the new year.

3. Luke Hughes, Devils

Hughes is the first rookie to be named one of the NHL's stars of the week this season, and the honor was well-earned.

The 20-year-old's been a monster since coming out of the holiday break. Hughes amassed five points in his last three contests, and he became just the second rookie defenseman in Devils history to have a three-game goal streak, joining Barry Beck, who accomplished the feat in 1977-78. One of those goals was a spectacular end-to-end tally in the final two minutes of regulation against the Blue Jackets on Dec. 27 en route to the Devils' 4-3 overtime win. Two days later, Hughes became the first rookie rearguard to record a three-point night this campaign after he helped torch the Ottawa Senators in a 6-2 victory.

Hughes leads all rookie defensemen in goals and points while ranking fourth in the latter category among first-year skaters. He also sits third in the class in goals above replacement (7) and wins above replacement (1.1), as well as fourth in offensive goals above replacement (4.7).

The Devils will need even more from Hughes with stud defenseman Dougie Hamilton out indefinitely, but his latest pop of offense is a promising step in the right direction. Barring a disaster, Hughes will likely be a Calder finalist in a few months' time off the back of his production alone.

2. Brock Faber, Wild

Faber's Calder case is starting to gather steam, and for good reason. He ranks third among all rookie defensemen in points and paces the entire first-year class in average ice time, nearly four minutes clear of Simon Nemec, the second-busiest player.

The 21-year-old had even more responsibility heaped onto his plate in December. Minnesota had to go seven games without blue-line stalwarts Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin due to injuries and heavily leaned on Faber to overcome their absences. Faber averaged 29:38 of ice time over that span and saw over 30 minutes of action in four of those outings. He also played 33:25 during the Wild's 4-3 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 21, the highest ice time total of any player this season.

Despite his increased workload, the youngster was a plus-4 when both Brodin and Spurgeon were out of the lineup, while Minnesota amazingly went 6-1-0. Wild fans, say, "Thank you, Faber."

Given his poise and maturity, it's sometimes hard to believe Faber is just a rookie. The Minnesota native leads the Wild in goals above replacement (7.7) and wins above replacement (1.2) and seems primed to be a No. 1 defenseman for years to come. He's been outstanding, but it's still not enough to make him the Calder favorite.

1. Connor Bedard, Blackhawks

In case there was any doubt, Bedard is him. He's just that guy.

Case in point: The overtime winner he scored on Connor freakin' Hellebuyck that secured a 2-1 victory for Chicago (he potted the other goal, too) on Dec. 27. It was his first career overtime goal, but you'd think it was his 100th given how sick it was. Oh, and Bedard netted a Michigan goal in his 33rd NHL game. Gross, dude.

It's been business as usual for Bedard, who still paces all rookies in goals and points - he's four goals and 10 points ahead of Fantilli in second place. But Bedard reached a new level in December. The 2023 first overall pick led all first-year players with 15 points (eight of which came in a five-game point streak) in 15 contests this past month, and he's very close to having a point-per-game campaign as a rookie. The Blackhawks have 46 contests remaining on their 2023-24 schedule, and Bedard could end the season with 79 points if he continues to play at a point-per-game pace the rest of the way. If he hits the 80-point mark, he'd be the first rookie to do so since Mat Barzal in 2017-18.

It would be nice if the Blackhawks went out and got Bedard another linemate to play with, as he's seeing an astonishing amount of ice time with veteran forward Nick Foligno, which isn't, um, ideal. Still, the 18-year-old is proving capable of driving Chicago's attack on his own, leading the team in all offensive categories.

Keep an eye on:

• Logan Cooley, Coyotes
• Ridly Greig, Senators
• Pavel Mintyukov, Ducks
• Marco Rossi, Wild
• Dmitry Voronkov, Blue Jackets

(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey)