With the NHL season quickly approaching and rosters being all but locked in for opening night, we’re getting a good idea of each team’s makeup. Every fanbase has some semblance of hope as the new season begins. However for any team to find success, they need to get production from all players, veterans and rookies alike. As a fan of the game, there aren’t many things more satisfying than seeing a team draft and develop a player so well that they are a contributing factor to their team. This year there are a good amount of rookies that fans should have on their radar.
Honorable Mentions: Zac Benson, Buffalo Sabres; William Eklund, San Jose Sharks; Kevin Korchinski, Chicago Blackhawks; Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks; Tye Kartye, Seattle Kraken; Simon Edvinsson, Detroit Red Wings; Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators.
C Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks:
Let’s get the obvious ones out of the way first, and nothing could be more than Connor Bedard. Drafted first overall this past season from the Regina Pats, he’s found success at every level. In his draft year, Bedard put up 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games in the Western Hockey League, while also putting up 23 points in 7 games at the World Juniors while also winning tournament MVP and the gold medal. He has been elite in training camp as all accounts have said he is just as advertised. He is without a doubt the most hyped rookie since Connor McDavid, maybe even since Sidney Crosby.
Prediction: 33 goals, 78 points, Calder Trophy winner
C Adam Fantilli, Columbus Blue Jackets:
In my opinion, Adam Fantilli would’ve been the first overall pick in any of the last three drafts. Being the third freshman ever to win NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award as the best men’s collegiate hockey player, Fantilli dominated college hockey with 30 and 65 points in just 36 games at University of Michigan last season. Fantilli already has great size being listed at 6’2 195 lbs. and has shown great puck skills in the preseason. But don’t forget he already has experience playing with NHL players as he was on not only Canada’s World Juniors team that won gold, but also the Men’s World Championships team that also won gold. He has experience playing against NHL talent which I think will make his transition easier into the show.
Prediction: 25 goals, 57 points
G Devon Levi, Buffalo Sabres:
Simply put, Levi was the most dominant goalie I had ever seen in college. Back-to-back Richter Trophy winner as best goaltender in the nation, Levi got a taste of NHL action while the Sabres were fighting for a playoff spot last season. In 7 games he went 5-2 with a 2.94 GAA and a .905 save percentage. For a player who was thrown into the fire in the middle of a playoff race, Levi had an unusually calm demeanor for a rookie goaltender in a high pressure situation. He plays a lot bigger than his 6’ frame might suggest, but he has an uncanny ability for making big saves. In his small sample size, his goals saved above expected per 60 minutes was higher than the likes of Andrei Vasilevskiy and Alexander Georgiev. Expect big things from Levi this year.
Prediction: 27 Wins, 2.79 GAA, .910 SV%, Calder Trophy Finalist
D Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils:
The youngest of the Hughes trio is entering his rookie season after a few games in the regular season and playoffs last season. Don’t expect him to play 22 minutes a night out of the gate, but he will be quarterbacking one of the power play units this year. His skating ability is second to none and provides a ton of offensive upside to an already high-flying offense. Like any rookie, he may be a touch behind defensively to start the year, but I anticipate him to have a very good first full season among a high end rookie class
Prediction: 11 Goals, 42 Points, +16 Rating
RW Matt Coronato, Calgary Flames:
Coronato may not be a household name like the prior four players I already discussed, but this kid is going to make an impact for a Calgary team that is looking for a good right wing sniper. The USNTDP product has a strong preseason with 4 goals and 2 assists in 5 games while seeing power play time. I think getting top six minutes this year will greatly help his development and it will show in his stats
Prediction: 19 Goals, 44 points
LW Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs:
Another player who saw limited action in the playoffs last year, Matthew Knies has some lofty expectations ahead of him in Toronto. Knies played a key role in the Minnesota Gophers offense last season and replicated that offense in the playoffs last year being called up to the Leafs. Likely starting out as a middle six winger, I can easily see him moving onto the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. The one thing this rookie has that most on this list do not is a cast that can elevate his game. He will be surrounded by higher end talent that will help his transition into the pros, and I think his stats will show that.
Prediction: 21 Goals, 38 points
C Logan Cooley, Arizona Coyotes:
Probably the biggest preseason of any rookie in this class, Logan Cooley is somebody who many think could win the Calder Trophy should something happen to Connor Bedard. The third overall pick in 2022, Cooley is looking like the franchise center that Arizona has been in need of for the better part of a decade. Although undersized at 5’10, Cooley looks to be an elite playmaking forward that will be the catalyst of a young Coyotes forward group. Having shown his puck skills on multiple occasions this preseason with multiple highlight reel goals, Cooley could provide the spark needed to jumpstart the Arizona offense and bring life back to this franchise.
Prediction: 28 Goals, 59 points, Calder Trophy Finalist
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