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Blackhawks: 3 biggest threats to Connor Bedard’s Calder Trophy

By Vincent Parise

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: (L-R) Leo Carlsson, second overall pick by the Anaheim Ducks, Connor Bedard, first overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks, and Adam Fantilli, third overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets, pose for a photo during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Round One at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: (L-R) Leo Carlsson, second overall pick by the Anaheim Ducks, Connor Bedard, first overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks, and Adam Fantilli, third overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets, pose for a photo during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Round One at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Blackhawks are lucky enough to be the team that drafted Connor Bedard. That came with the win at the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery.

Bedard is considered by many to be a generational prospect that is capable of doing big things in the NHL once he gets there.

Coming into the season, he is the favorite to win the NHL’s Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie which feels obvious.

However, there are other prospects that have had a tad bit more development both physically and in terms of their game. These are the three prospects that are the biggest threat to him when it comes to winning that award:

FWD. Columbus Blue Jackets. Adam Fantilli. 11. player. 113.

The Blackhawks could see Connor Bedard have a big year and still not win it.

Connor Bedard can still have a big year and not win the Calder Trophy. There are going to be 10ish really good rookies and only one of them can win this award.

At the 2023 NHL Draft, the biggest shock was Adam Fantilli not being drafted by the Anaheim Ducks second overall. Instead, he went third to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It felt like he was a lock to be the second player taken but the Ducks surprised everyone. Now, Fantilli is going to come into this season as hungry as any rookie in the league. He now has a chip on his shoulder forever.

Bedard has a higher ceiling than Fantilli but that doesn’t take away from Fantilli’s ability either. He is very capable of having a great season which could lead to a Calder Trophy if he is truly magnificent.

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