The NHL pre-season has, thankfully, come to a close. With final cap compliant rosters being set by 5 p.m. ET today, it’s time to take a look at some rookies who could make waves this year.
Obviously forecasting award winners for next June in early October isn’t an exact science. But I’m up for the challenge and decided to write about seven players I believe to be the pre-season favourites for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
TOP TIER CALDER CANDIDATES
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
Since Connor McDavid entered the league, has there been another player who has drawn more attention and accolades as a rookie than Bedard? I say not. And he’s earned the heaping amount of praise he has received.
The Chicago Blackhawks are in rebuild mode and project to lose far more than they win again in 2023-24. They are, very likely, going to be staring at a top five pick at the draft next summer again.
It’s an interesting scenario Bedard is being thrown into. He’s clearly the future of the franchise, but do the Hawks have enough of a supporting cast around him? Will he be provided the time and space required to play to his offensive identity?
I’m guessing Bedard rises to the occasion and is worth the price of admission on a nightly basis. He will be deployed at even strength and the first power play unit. If games get to overtime, he will skate 3-on-3 and have some game-winning goals on his stick.
Bedard won just about every award in the hockey world last season: world junior gold, CHL player of the year, CHL top scorer and CHL top draft prospect. And he scored 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games for the WHL’s Regina Pats.
He’s the early season favourite for the Calder.
Logan Cooley, Arizona Coyotes
The desert dogs have a full stable of prospects on the horizon.
Logan Cooley originally announced he was going to return to college and play one more season at the University of Minnesota in 2023-24. But he changed his mind and turned pro after a positive experience at the Coyotes’ summer development camp.
Cooley is a dynamic forward who could challenge for the rookie scoring title this season. He dressed for 39 games at Minnesota last year and scored 22 goals and 38 assists. Equally impressive was the fact he ended the season a plus-38. He’s the kind of player who wants the puck on his stick in high leverage situations. Cooley can be a threat off the rush, is hard to contain in tight areas, and is a dynamic contributor on the power play. I expect Cooley to play a top six role in Arizona, and be deployed at even strength and the first power play unit.
Devon Levi, Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres look like they are, finally, ready to take another step forward and make the playoffs this season. A lot of their success, like all NHL teams, will be determined by the quality of their goaltending.
Devon Levi is entering his first full season of pro hockey after a brief seven-game stint with the Sabres last spring, following the conclusion of his college season at Northeastern. He’s a proven winner who has performed at a high level every step of his development and put up tremendous numbers at Northeastern. Not only did he have a winning record in the NCAA (38-22-6), he also posted goals against averages of 1.54 and 2.24 and save percentages of .952 and .933. For good measure, Levi posted a 5-2 record in his seven starts with the Sabres.
Levi isn’t a towering figure between the posts and has a similar build to Juuse Saros in Nashville. He’s athletic, has excellent feet, low net quickness, quick glove hand, and most importantly he’s uber-competitive. He will do whatever it takes to keep the puck out of the net.
Here’s a clip of Levi making a sequence of stops versus Columbus last spring. Notice how Levi makes the first stop, fronts the second stop (which goes off the paddle of his stick), finds the puck behind the goal line, and tracks the play side to side quickly. He’s dialed into the entire sequence and keeps his positioning between his posts.
Adam Fantilli, Columbus Blue Jackets
Fantilli is an explosive forward who plays the game fast. He’s a threat off the rush and is willing to take pucks to the net when he gets a lane. He’s also a big body (6-foot-2 194 pounds), which makes him even more difficult to defend.
Fantilli is similar to the other top tier candidates on this list. First and foremost, he’s a winner who has contributed to his team’s success playing for Michigan and Team Canada. He also won every individual award possible last year at the NCAA level, where he was the leading scorer (37G-37A), first-team All American, and won the Hobey Baker as the top collegiate men’s hockey player.
What sets Fantilli apart is the fact he can play a variety of roles up and down the lineup. He can play the middle or the wing. He can be deployed as an energy checker in the bottom six, or a play driving scorer in the top six. He could, arguably, bring the most balanced value of any NHL rookie this season.
SECOND TIER CALDER CANDIDATES
Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils
The Devils have some outstanding defencemen in their prospect pool. Simon Nemec is also in the mix to be a future top four defender for the team.
Luke Hughes played two games last spring for the Devils, scoring a goal and an assist, but he’s not cut out of the same mold as his brothers Quinn and Jack. Luke is the biggest of the three (6-foot-2, 184 pounds). He, too, is an offensive force, however, and is best described as a transitional/two-way defenceman who can quarterback one of the power play units. Hughes scored 10 goals and 38 assists at the University of Michigan last season. Much of his impact will be based upon opportunity. The Devils are a deep team.
Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs
Knies’ much-anticipated arrival last spring did not let Leafs fans down. He hit the ground running and found a role early on with Toronto. Knies displayed a tenacious, power forward style the team was looking for.
Knies could slot into a variety of roles for the Leafs this season and is likely destined for a wing position in their top-nine forward group. With the depth the Leafs have, and the fact their first power play unit usually eats up the majority of time, Knies will be tasked with producing offence at even strength. As with Hughes, much of Knies’ trajectory will be determined by opportunity.
Matt Coronato, Calgary Flames
Coronato had an outstanding pre-season where he played to his quick-strike identity offensively. Even more impressive was his effort off the puck. He has been paying attention to details and competing the full 200 feet. With the Flames looking to add some youth to their lineup, Coronato could be a name to keep a close eye on. He has a pro release, leans shooter more than playmaker, and knows how to make himself open and find quiet ice in the offensive zone. If given enough runway, he has the potential to play a regular shift at even strength and contribute on the power play.
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