Blackhawks Connor Bedard wins Calder Trophy

The big picture: Bedard, the top overall pick in last year's draft, lived up to expectations, leading the team in total points.

Zoom out: Bedard becomes the ninth 'Hawks player to claim the Calder. Others include Tony Esposito, Ed Belfour, Steve Larmer and Patrick Kane.

• Kane was the only other player to be picked first overall and then win best rookie.

By the numbers: Bedard scored 22 goals and had 39 assists in 68 games. Even though he missed 14 games with a broken jaw, those numbers led the team.

Yes, but: The 'Hawks were one of the worst teams in 2023.

Zoom in: The terrible record helped the Blackhawks secure the second overall pick in Friday night's NHL draft, but it's still unclear who they are going to take.

Reality check: The 26-49-7 Blackhawks are in the middle of a rebuild after letting Kane and the rest of what was left of the Stanley Cup championship team go in 2022.

State of play: Analysts point to Russian junior league forward Ivan Demidov or Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov as possible picks on Friday night.

• Demidov has the higher pre-draft ranking, but is more of a gamble due to his age (18) and lack of competition in Russia.
• Levshunov is a defenseman, which the team needs, but the draft is flush with several defensive prospects.

The 'Hawks also have the 18th pick in the first round.

What's next: The NHL draft starts Friday at 6:30pm on ESPN.