Connor Bedard is out 6-8 weeks after having surgery for a fractured jaw. And while Bedard’s absence will leave a massive void for the Chicago Blackhawks to fill, it doesn’t mean the rest of the hockey world can’t shift its focus to other intriguing rookies.
There’s no first-year player as captivating as Bedard, that is true. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft leads all rookies with 15 goals, 18 assists and 33 points in 39 games, and is the Calder Trophy favorite as NHL rookie of the year.
However, let’s examine five NHL rookies worth watching as the stud center recuperates from the first major injury of his career.
Brock Faber – D – Minnesota Wild
Defenseman is supposed to be the most difficult position to master for a young player in the NHL. Apparently, no one told Brock Faber that.
The 21-year-old has been terrific on both sides of the puck in his rookie season. Faber leads Wild defensemen and is second among NHL rookies at his position with 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) behind Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils (23 points; seven goals, 16 assists). He had three assists in a 4-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Impressively, Faber leads the Wild and all NHL rookies averaging 24:46 in ice time per game. Faber has stepped up in a big way with veteran Wild defensemen Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin on injured reserve, playing 30 minutes or more in six of his past 13 games.
Adam Fantilli – F – Columbus Blue Jackets
The No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft, Adam Fantilli has the look of a future franchise player for the Blue Jackets. The 19-year-old forward is tied for second with Minnesota forward Marco Rossi behind Bedard in rookie scoring with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 41 games. Fantilli is also second in even-strength points (22) and shots on goal (103), behind only Bedard. And the rookie is one point behind Johnny Gaudreau and Zach Werenski in Blue Jackets scoring.
Fantilli had a four-game point streak to close out December and a three-point game (two goals, one assist) against the New York Islanders on Dec. 7. He’s also played 20+ minutes each of his last two games as Columbus begins to lean on him more.
Kevin Korchinski – D – Chicago Blackhawks
With Bedard, Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall sidelined, there’s not much reason to pay attention to the woeful Blackhawks (12-26-2), right? Well, yes, but rookie defenseman Kevin Korchinski certainly is worth keeping an eye on.
Chicago’s first-round pick (No. 7) in the 2022 draft, Korchinski plays nearly 20 minutes a night (19:56), third on the Blackhawks and fourth among NHL rookies. The 19-year-old is trusted in all game situations and is going to produce a lot more offense than his eight points (two goals, six assists) in 34 games as he matures. His last two years in junior, Korchinski combined for 138 points (15 goals, 123 assists in 121 games).
Related: NHL New Year’s wish list for 2023
Devon Levi – G – Buffalo Sabres
Devon Levi’s stats are not eye-popping (8-6-2, 3.22 goals-against average, .893 save percentage) but the 22-year-old goalie has turned the corner and is beginning to meet high expectations for the Sabres.
After an impressive run (5-2-0, .905 save percentage) following a late season call up in 2022-23, big things seemed in store for Levi in his first full NHL season. But he started very slowly (3-4-1, 3.73 GAA, .876 save percentage) and was sent to the American Hockey League for a reset in November. The former Northeastern University star quickly returned to the NHL and is back on track, with the chance to be Buffalo’s No. 1 goalie in the second half of the season.
Connor Zary – F – Calgary Flames
Unlike the other rookie Connor, this one flies under the radar. But that doesn’t take anything away from how good Connor Zary has been this season for the Flames. Zary is tied for fourth among rookies with eight goals and tied for sixth with 19 points in 30 games. His three power-play goals are tied for most among NHL rookies and his likely unsustainable 22.9 shooting percentage is also tops.
But the 22-year-old is not only concerned about offense. He’s plus-nine, tied for first among all rookies with Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig, who’s played five fewer games.