Beyond Bedard, the NHL’s rookie class is stacked with talented newcomers to watch

Connor Bedard is the most hyped hockey player since Connor McDavid. Bedard, the No. 1 overall draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, tops the list of players likely to follow Seattle's Matty Beniers as the winner of the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. The class includes No. 2 pick Leo Carlsson of Anaheim, No. 3 pick Adam Fantilli of Columbus and prospects like New Jersey's Luke Hughes and Toronto's Matthew Knies, who late last season and in the playoffs already got a taste of the pros.