Leading NHL novices to view throughout 2023-24 season | Forum
JaimeShelby
Dec 22 '23
Connor Bedard, the No. 1 choice by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft, leads a group of gifted rookies intending to make an effect when the 2023-24 season starts Oct. 10. Not since Auston Matthews took the ice as a participant of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016-17 has actually there been more excitement bordering a No. 1 choice beginning his NHL newbie period. Matthews won the Calder Prize as the NHL newbie of the year that season after recording 69 points in 82 games. Here are 12 rookies to watch on: Connor Bedard, F, Chicago BlackhawksNo. 1 in 2023 NHL DraftThe 18-year-old led the Western Hockey Organization in goals, factors, shots on goal, factors per game and objectives per video game in 57 regular-season games with Regina last period. He's already being spoken about as the face of the future for the Blackhawks, that will certainly enter this season without former captain Jonathan Toews and forward Patrick Kane for the very first time considering that the 2007-08 period Mason McTavish Jersey. "Your desire and lifelong goal is to play in the NHL and be an impact player in the NHL, which's what I intend to do," Bedard said. "For me, it's almost training, mosting likely to camp and gaining my place on the group. " Prepare for Connor Bedard's launching Tuesday Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles KingsNo. 8 in 2021 NHL DraftLos Angeles required a few prospects to step up on defense in training school after trading defensemen Sean Walker to the Philadelphia Flyers and Sean Durzi to the Arizona Coyotes. Last season, Clarke, that can quarterback a power play, revealed he is keyed to do just that. The 20-year-old had 2 assists in 9 games with the Kings, two factors in five games with Ontario of the American Hockey League, and 61 factors in 31 games with Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League. Logan Cooley, F, Arizona CoyotesNo. 3 in 2022 NHL DraftThe leading possibility in Arizona's pipe is greater than ready for the NHL limelight. Cooley, 19, offered proof in a 5-3 win against the Los Angeles Kings in the 2023 NHL Global Series in Australia on Sept. 23 when he came down the best side of the ice, obtained by Kings defenseman Andreas Englund as he rotated around, snuck behind Jordan Spence and scored while falling down. Cooley led the NCAA in assists and finished second in points behind University of Michigan freshman Adam Fantilli. Cooley had 14 points in 7 video games to assist the USA to a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Champion. William Eklund, F, San Jose SharksNo. 7 in 2021 NHL DraftEklund, that turns 21 on Oct. 12, shows up all set to play a huge duty after March 30 surgical procedure to fix a torn labrum on his left shoulder. A dynamic offensive talent, Eklund had three factors in 8 NHL games and 41 points in 54 video games with San Jose last season. Adam Fantilli, F, Columbus Blue JacketsNo. 3 in 2023 NHL DraftIt'll be intriguing to see exactly how swiftly Fantilli adjusts to the speed and physicality of the NHL. The 18-year-old definitely was able to make a seamless transition to NCAA hockey, becoming the 3rd freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as the most effective NCAA guys's ice hockey gamer after getting 65 points in 36 games in 2022-23. Fantilli assisted Canada win the 2023 WJC and 2023 IIHF Globe Championship. The Blue Jackets authorized him to a three-year, beginning agreement July 1 and expect him to become their No. 1 center, possibly this season. Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey DevilsNo. 4 in 2021 NHL DraftThe assumptions are high for Hughes, 20, sibling of Devils facility Jack Hughes. With the ability of playing either the left or appropriate point, he might become the initial defenseman to win the Calder Prize since Moritz Seider in 2021-22 Damian Clara Jersey. Hughes had 87 factors in 2 seasons at the University of Michigan before signing his three-year, entry-level agreement with the Devils on April 8. He excited with two factors in two regular-season games and two assists in 3 Stanley Cup Playoff video games with New Jersey last period. Matthew Knies, F, Toronto Maple LeafsNo. 57 in 2021 NHL DraftKnies invested the summer season training in Arizona with Auston Matthews and will certainly spend this season living with John Tavares and his family. The 20-year-old is anticipated to gain a place among the 2 leading offensive lines and together with either Matthews or Tavares. He signed with Toronto after his 2nd season at the College of Minnesota, where he had 42 points in 40 games. "He's revealed he's a person that can play and be a difference-maker," Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. Devon Levi, G, Buffalo SabresNo. 212 in 2020 NHL Draft Acquired by the Sabres in a trade with the Panthers on July 24, 2021, Levi led NCAA goalies in save percent for the 2nd straight season and won the Mike Richter Award as the leading goalkeeper in men's university hockey with Northeastern in Hockey East. The 21-year-old went 17-12-5 with a 2. 24 goals-against standard with the Huskies and signed up with the Sabres near the end of last season. "His athleticism's remarkable. His state of mind's incredible," general supervisor Kevyn Adams stated. "No stage is too large for him. He prospers in this atmosphere. " Pavel Mintyukov, D, Anaheim DucksNo. 10 in 2022 NHL DraftMintyukov is wonderful in change and an offending force on the opposing end. He was called the OHL defenseman of the year after leading at the position with 88 factors in 69 video games with Saginaw and Ottawa last period. The Ducks signed Mintyukov, 19, to a three-year, entry-level contract on July 16, 2022. He can begin the season in a third-pairing duty with Anaheim or make his professional launching in San Diego. Marco Rossi, F, Minnesota WildNo. 9 in 2020 NHL DraftRossi, has 104 points in 116 games with Iowa Bo Groulx Jersey. He ranked 3rd on the team with 35 aids, including 16 on the power-play, last period. Rossi, 22, played 19 NHL video games last period, had one aid and averaged 12:31 of ice time. There's nothing left for him to prove in the AHL, however it remains to be seen the kind of effect he can have at the following level. Shane Wright, F, Seattle KrakenNo. 4 in 2022 NHL DraftWright completed last period with nine factors in 24 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs for Coachella Valley, which lost to Hershey 3-2 in overtime in Game 7 of the Calder Mug Finals. The 19-year-old had two factors in 8 games with the Kraken last season. If the right-handed shot doesn't make the NHL, he should return to the OHL under the contract with the Canadian Hockey Organization, unless Seattle can get an exemption for him to play in the AHL.
