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The 2023-2024 NHL season is only a few days away and the lineups for opening night are starting to take shape. Some of the rosters will include fresh faces in the league hoping to make their mark from game one. The race for the Calder Trophy is one that all the rookies of the league are hoping to get involved in. Especially since this season has one of the best rookie classes ever on paper. Despite a clear favourite for the Calder, many of the rookies are in the running. But who are these new names to look out for this season, and why this upcoming season could be a breakout season for them?
2023-24 Calder Trophy Favourites
1.) Connor Bedard
What is there left to say about Connor Bedard that hasn’t been said already? To many, he is the greatest prospect to come into the league since Connor McDavid. Bedard’s skill is sublime, and his shot is both quick and deceptive. Something he has showcased many times during the pre-season, where he has looked more than NHL-ready. His vision has also been on full display throughout training camp, as he has dished the puck around with great ease. An example came in his first game of pre-season, where he had two assists, including one on the overtime-winning goal. His talent is unquestionable and given that he will play top-line minutes, he is in a prime position to win the Calder.
The main worry for Bedards Calder hopes, apart from injuries, is that the Chicago Blackhawks roster isn’t looking great on paper. While Bedard is going to be a superstar, and will be exciting and fun to watch, he is only 18 years old. He simply won’t be able to do it all alone. Taylor Hall has been brought in to be his line-mate, but outside of the former MVP, there isn’t a lot of help to find in the lineup. It’s an extremely shallow roster on paper, and this could limit just how much the skillset of Bedard can produce throughout the season.
However, on the flip side of this argument. is that with Bedard on the team, there is a chance that his teammates have breakout years around him and score at levels not seen before. The only other thing that speaks against Bedard winning is the stacked field and strong competition he will face. The fact he is the clear-cut favourite in this field only highlights just how high his potential is.
2.) Logan Cooley
The first of Bedard’s competitors is Logan Cooley, who comes off a great season in the NCAA. In 39 games he had 60 points with the University of Minnesota. During pre-season action, he has looked NHL-ready. His skating and puckhandling are sublime and his explosiveness makes him a constant threat. There is a very realistic chance that Cooley becomes the greatest player ever to play for the Arizona Coyotes in a few years. In his first outing in the NHL, he scored a highlight reel first goal against the LA Kings, and has been one of the stars of the pre-season. He has looked poised, composed, and full of energy and speed.
Similar to Bedard, however, the team around him is in a rough spot. The Coyotes have a decent top six, and Cooley is expected to play alongside Jason Zucker and Dylan Guenther on the second line. Two players who both have a good amount of skill and speed, and should be able to support Cooley well. The concern from that line is Jason Zucker, who has been known to have hands of stone at times. While Cooley is able to get him the puck and create chances, Zucker will need to find the level he had in Minnesota back in 2017 for Cooley to compete with Bedard.
3.) Adam Fantilli
Adam Fantilli going third overall during the 2023 NHL draft is seen by many as a massive gift to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The reason being that most saw him as the second-best prospect at the 2023 draft behind Bedard. He is another player who played in the NCAA and enjoyed a monster year with the University of Michigan. He scored 65 points in 36 games during his season. The reason for his great success comes from his combination of size, skating and work rates. He is both skilled and agile enough to make plays on his own, while also being extremely hard to play against physically. Fantilli doesn’t shy away from puck battles and will drive the puck to the net, or get to the front for screens and tips without it. He also plays a great 200-foot game with defensive responsibility.
While Fantilli might not have the same deceptive shot of Bedard, or the explosiveness of Cooley, he does have a better team around him. Last season, Columbus was riddled with injuries throughout their roster. Now that it’s a new season, where players are returning from injuries and are healthy, there is a lot to like when looking at the roster. Fantilli is expected to start the season on the third line, slightly limiting his minutes, but he will be playing with Kent Johnson, who played great last season. He will also be getting powerplay minutes with the likes of Johnny Gaudreau and Patrick Laine, which could elevate his stats. Elevation that might make him the front-runner to the Calder over Cooley and Bedard.
4.) Luke Hughes
Over the past four years, the Calder trophy has been alternated between a forward winning it and a defenceman winning it. If this streak is to be continued, the best bet would be Luke Hughes. While Bedard is more talented, Hughes has two areas that could see him winning the Calder. The first is his experience. Hughes simply has more, and has had a taste of the NHL. Last season after finishing a strong year in the NCAA, he played five games in the NHL. Three of them were playoff games. In all of the games, Hughes looked ready for the NHL, and that hasn’t changed during training camp.
The second reason Hughes can win the Calder is that he plays on a true Cup contender. The Devils have a strong lineup, with a strong blend of young and talented players, like Hughes, and plenty veteran presence. The difference in quality between the Devils and Blackhawks are staggering on paper, and Hughes will have a greater chance to go prove himself in the playoffs. Something that can help sway votes in the end, like it was the case for Artemi Panarin in 2015.
5.) Devon Levi
The first and only goalie in the top 10 is Devon Levi. One of the main reasons for this is that Levi is expected to be the starter for the hopeful Buffalo Sabers this season. Last season, he won goalie of the year in the NCAA, represented Canada in the World Championship, and played in seven NHL games. Within the seven games, he won five and cemented his NHL readiness. While Levi isn’t a big goalie, he is one of the most well-balanced goalies out there. He is extremely athletic and explosive, which makes him get into the right position to face a shot square-on with great speed. This could bring him into the Calder conversation, if he becomes the Sabers starter.
The question of Levi’s chances to win comes down to one question. Will he be the starter for the Sabers? The reason this is a question is that this is a pivotal season for the Sabers. They have to get into the playoffs, as the Sabers have a stacked lineup offensively and defensively. This brings pressure on what has been their achilles heel for many years. Goaltending. The question is if they dare to trust Levi to carry the Sabers to their first playoff birth since 2011. If they do, and he succeeds, he could be the first goalie to win the Calder since 2009.
6.) Marco Rossi
Marco Rossi is back in the NHL and is looking to regain the momentum he lost last season. After having been one of the favourites to win the Calder last year, it quickly became clear that he wasn’t ready for the physicality of the NHL. He needed to change his style and learn to be more dominant. Therefore, he was sent to the AHL, where he rebounded and was one of the best players on the Iowa Wild.
After having practiced all summer in Minnesota, the Austrian prospect finally seems to be back on track. He has been far more tenacious in his shifts, and has been a lot stronger on the puck. He looks more mature and calm on the ice, while also being harder to knock off the puck. Both parts of the game that made him struggle last season. If he can get a strong start to the season, he could be a breakout player this year. Should he win the Calder, it would be the greatest feel-good story in a long time after his difficulties since 2020.
7.) Shane Wright
The 2022 NHL draft was by many seen as the Shane Wright draft. At least prior to the actual draft, where Shane Wright somehow fell all the way to fourth overall. A major gift for Seattle, as Wright is such a great offensive player. He is a goal-scorer with great playmaking and deals to create space. He also has elite stickhandling and high IQ, meaning he sees the game at an NHL level. The only downside is that the consistency and defensive game still need work. However, Wright can easily be an exciting breakout star and one of the names to watch this season.
The reason he isn’t higher up on the list is the question of if Seattle believes Wright is ready for the NHL. His potential is great, and his offensive qualities are more than ready, but he could start the season in the AHL. That could allow him to develop as a leader. If this is the case, it could hurt his chances to emulate fellow Seattle Kraken teammate, Matthew Beniers, who won the Calder last season.
8.) Brandt Clarke
The second defender on this list is LA Kings 2021 eighth overall selection, Brandt Clarke. The 20-year-old defenceman with silky smooth hands and puck movement is finally ready to become a full-time NHL player. Clarke also has a great release, where he generates a lot of power with great accuracy. This makes him a great threat offensively, as his movement allows him to make solid passing decisions. Defensively he has also improved, and on a good LA Kings team, he should be able to thrive. Especially on the powerplay, if given the proper chance.
The question once again will be just how much time Clarke will see this season in the NHL. The potential is undeniable and he is the prototype of a modern-day defenceman. But is that going to be enough to be a top-four defenceman this season? If it is, watch out for Clarke to have a monumental year, where the only reason he wouldn’t win the Calder is because of the strong field this season.
9.) Matthew Knies
One of the most unique players coming into the league this season is Matthew Knies. The former Golden Gopher had another strong season in the NCAA where he was one of the best players in the league. His style is unique and powerful as it combines strength, size and finesse. He will be tenacious and ruthless in the battles for the puck, use his size to shield it and move with unseen agility to generate chances. His shot is powerful and everything about it screams NHL-ready.
He also seems to be the rookie that will be having the most support. So far, the indications seem to be that he’ll be playing alongside John Tavares. A true superstar and leader to learn from throughout the season. If they can find chemistry, Knies’ unique offense and style could see him upset Bedard, Fantilli, and the rest when the votes are to be counted.
10.) Logan Stankoven
The last name to make the list is Logan Stankoven, who seems to be easily one of the steals of the 2021 draft. This is due to his strong presence in the offensive zone, and his shot and release that makes him deadly from anywhere on the ice. That part of his game has been NHL-ready for a long time and has only gotten better. He has also become a much better playmaker and his IQ has improved a lot.
While Stankoven has a ton of talent, the question will be how much he plays this season. On paper, he has the potential to be a revelation, similar to Jason Robertson in 2020. However, in reality, the difference between the two Stars forwards might be that, where Robertson was able to play on the powerplay and first line in his rookie season, Stankoven might have to settle for less. A question that only time will give the answer to. For now, there is nothing left but to see what the 2023-24 season brings. Let the race for the Calder Trophy begin.
Main Photo: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
