The Chicago Blackhawks have struggled through several challenging seasons, but Connor Bedard continues to shine as one of hockey’s most promising young talents. The 20-year-old center earned the 2024 Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year after an impressive debut campaign.
So when The Athletic released its latest under-23 player rankings, Blackhawks fans naturally expected Bedard to claim the top spot. However, he narrowly missed out on the honor, with another rising star capturing the crown this year.
Who Edged Out Connor Bedard for the Top Spot?
With the 2025 NHL Draft completed and franchises building their talent pipelines, ranking the league’s best players under 23 presented a complex challenge. Most Blackhawks supporters felt confident Bedard would secure the number one position.
Since Chicago selected him first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard has been nothing short of spectacular. His rookie season produced 61 points across 68 games, while his sophomore campaign saw him improve to 67 points over a complete 82-game schedule.
Bedard led Chicago in scoring both seasons and topped the team’s assist totals as well. But when Corey Pronman revealed his rankings of the top young prospects, it wasn’t the Blackhawks star who claimed first place.
Instead, the 2024 NHL Draft’s first overall pick, Macklin Celebrini, took the honor for the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks selected Celebrini as their franchise cornerstone, and he delivered with 63 points in 70 games while establishing himself as the team’s top offensive threat.
Although Celebrini didn’t capture the Calder Trophy, which went to Montreal’s Lane Hutson, his performance still impressed evaluators. Pronman placed Celebrini in Tier 1 and projected him as a future elite NHL player. Meanwhile, Bedard secured the second position.
What Makes These Rankings So Competitive at the Top?
Pronman also placed Bedard in Tier 1’s elite category. The two players represent the only names Pronman assigned to this top tier, and he expects both to become elite talents in the league. The third spot went to Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson.
The Ducks selected Carlsson second overall, and the center remains a crucial piece of Anaheim’s prospect pool. While his statistics, 45 points in 76 games, didn’t match Celebrini or Bedard’s production, his 6-foot-3 frame makes the 20-year-old a constant threat around the net.
Pronman assigned Carlsson to Tier 2, projecting him as a future All-Star caliber talent. Columbus forward Adam Fantilli claimed the fourth position. With 54 points in 82 games, the center earned Pronman’s Tier 2 All-Star designation.
New Jersey’s Luke Hughes rounded out the top five. The defenseman has anchored the Devils’ blue line since the team drafted him fourth overall in 2021. With consecutive 40-plus point seasons, New Jersey has high expectations for the young defender’s continued development.