It’s that time of year again. Another hockey season is under a month away. Rookie camp has already begun!  It’s an exciting time to be a hockey fan. The best part about training camp is seeing which rookies will make the big leagues this year and who still needs another year in juniors. With some big names headlining this class like Owen Power and Shane Wright, it should be another great rookie class.

Today, I have my top 15 rankings for who might win the 2023 Calder Trophy for the league’s best rookie. 

1. Owen Power, Defense, 19, (Buffalo Sabres – No. 1, 2021) 

There isn’t a player on this list who is more NHL-ready than Power. After a fantastic sophomore season at the University of Michigan, he joined the Sabres last April. In the 8 games he played last season he averaged 22:05 minutes of ice time per game. Nobody on this list should be given a better opportunity to play than Power.

The amount of minutes he can play five on five, plus the opportunity on the power play bodes well for Owen Power. With these kinds of minutes, he can easily rack up 50+ points with at least 10 goals. He will be relied on to play in Buffalo’s top 4, and maybe even slide up to their top pair with Rasmus Dahlin. Add all of this offense to his ever-improving defensive game, improving physical play, and pro frame (6’6 213lbs), it makes him a clear choice to put on the Calder ballot this year.

2. Matty Beniers, Center, 19, (Seattle Kraken – No. 2, 2021)

Beniers is a mature kid. Well-spoken, big, strong, and future captain material. Of course, there is room to grow but I think Beniers is a more finished product (at least offensively) than most on this list.  

In his 10-game stint with the Kraken last season, he scored 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists). No, I don’t think Beniers will have another season where he is on a 74 point pace, but I do think that he can score. Seattle has a much-improved offense, specifically on the wings, which means Beniers will have more options to pass to. Adding goal scorers like Oliver Bjorkstrand and Andre Burakovsky should bolster Beniers’ assist totals.

He has excellent offensive awareness, great passing skills, and exceptional defensive play (which might not get noticed by the voters). There are players on this list who may have a higher ceiling than Beniers, but he is more NHL-ready than almost any other forward on this list.

3. Mason McTavish, Center, 19, (Anaheim Ducks – No. 3, 2021)

McTavish was a BEAST at the World Junior Championships as the Canadian captain. He scored 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 7 games against the world’s best U-20 players. He led the team in scoring and looked head and shoulders above his competitors.

McTavish is ready for the big leagues, the only problem is if the Ducks are ready to have him. Due to his age, he isn’t eligible to play in the AHL this season, so he needs to make the Ducks or go back to juniors. McTavish should make the team, but his role on the Ducks is still unknown.

The 6’1 center is described best as “a swiss army knife” type of player.  McTavish can score, check, play defense, and pass the puck. The only way McTavish wins the Calder is if he plays in the top 6. The problem is those top 2 center spots on the Ducks are currently occupied by 21-year-old star Trevor Zegras and the dependable Ryan Strome. It’s unclear if he will push his way into the second line center spot, switch to the wing this year, or be the third line center. If one of the latter two scenarios occurs, it could be a harder transition for McTavish than expected.

4. Kent Johnson, Center, 19, (Columbus Blue Jackets – No. 6, 2021)

The most skilled center in his draft class has a real shot at winning the Calder Trophy this season. I see Johnson’s skills as a little more boom or bust than McTavish and Beniers, which is why he’s ranked 4th.

Johnson might have the silkiest hands in the league (as a rookie no less). He drives the play so incredibly well with his great speed, amazing passing ability, and ankle-breaking dangles. He can create all kinds of space for his teammates. Still, concerns arise with Johnson’s size and role on the team. At 6’1 he is 168lbs, a full 39 pounds lighter than McTavish.  

According to CapFriendly, the natural center is slotted into the 3rd line left wing spot. Johnson won’t get enough minutes to win the Calder on the third line. But, I have a feeling his points/60 minutes will be great despite his low ice averages. The Jackets’ forward group is crowded which pushes Johnson down the lineup, but if he gets PP1 time he will be playing with Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Liane which will result in a lot of assists for Johnson. 

5. Jake Sanderson, Defense, 20, (Ottawa Senators – No. 5, 2020)

In my opinion, Jake Sanderson is the best defenseman of the 2020 draft class. Hailing from North Dakota, this defenseman played his freshman and sophomore seasons at the University of North Dakota, where he registered 41 points in 45 games over those two seasons.

Sanderson is also the best defensive player in this rookie class hands down.  He is a smooth skater and can join the rush to push the play on offense. But he will always use that speed to get back on defense. He has excellent defensive positioning and is always in the right spot in his own end.

Sanderson is 6’3 and 185lbs. Once he works on his frame a little bit more he will be an absolute beast to have on your team. I could expect Sanderson to score 35+ points this year in a respectable rookie campaign.

6. Cole Perfetti, Center, 20, (Winnipeg Jets – No. 10, 2020)

A skilled, yet undersized, center with great offensive instincts. He carries the puck extremely well and isn’t afraid to make a big play. An excellent passer and a great skater highlight Perfetti’s attributes.

He is among the smartest players in his draft class. His hockey IQ is off the charts. In his draft-eligible season in 2019-2020, he had over an assist per game in his time in juniors. The next two years in the AHL he scored at nearly a point-per-game pace. 

There is no question that Perfetti makes the lineup. But where Perfetti fits into this lineup will determine the type of season he has. Winnipeg has five of their top six forwards filled out, including their top two centers. Perfetti, a natural center, could slot into a spot on the second line winger position and play with Nik Ehlers and Pierre-Luc Dubois. On this line, Perfetti could create a lot of offense and easily score 50-60 points feeding Ehlers the puck.  

7. Luke Hughes, 19, Defense, (New Jersey Devils – No. 4, 2021)

Similar to Sanderson, Hughes has the potential to be the best defenseman in his class. Hughes just turned 19 on September 10th, making him one of the youngest players from the 2021 draft class. He has so much room to grow, and after a fantastic freshman season at the University of Michigan, there is a lot to be excited about.

As a defenseman, Hughes drives the play so well. He is skilled on his own but even more creative involving teammates. His stride is second to none which compliments his amazing speed. Hughes has great vision on the ice and can always find someone down the ice on a saucer pass. On a stacked Michigan team he didn’t get the top minutes expected because of Owen Power. However, that didn’t stop Hughes from getting 39 points in 41 games, including 17 goals.  

This freshman scored the most points of any freshman in the NCAA. The only reason Hughes is so low is he is likely to return to Michigan for his sophomore season and won’t play much, if at all, for the Devils in 2022-2023. But, if he does make the lineup, look for him to have chemistry with his brother Jack Hughes, the Devils’ no. 1 center.

8. Alexander Holtz, 20, Left Wing, (New Jersey Devils – No. 7, 2020)

Dubbed “The best goal scorer drafted since Auston Mathews”, Alexander Holtz is primed to compete for the Calder in 2022. A pure goal scorer, good speed and solid puck control set Holtz apart from his teammates.

As the only contenting “shoot-first” type of player of this rookie class, he will definitely need to play with Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes to score 30+ goals, which we know is possible.  

Holtz needs to look good in camp because the Devils have a ton of young players.  His spot on the team is guaranteed, but power play time is not. If he’s not careful he can lose playing time to Dawson Mercer, a player drafted behind in the 2020 draft but made his debut sooner. In 2020 Dominick Kubilik scored 30 goals as a rookie, which was good for 3rd in Calder voting that year. For Holtz to win he needs to score even more, at least 35-40 goals, which is possible given the playmakers available in New Jersey.

9. Marco Rossi, 20, Center, (Minnesota Wild – No. 9, 2020) 

An all-around great player to have on your team. Rossi has solid instincts on both sides of the puck. He is a great passer and an amazing defensive/2-way center. Rossi has always been thought of as a mature kid with a high floor and a lower ceiling. He might blow my prediction out of the water.  

The thing that cripples Rossi is his great defensive play. Most centers who are less well-rounded players get top six minutes to be successful. Rossi can be an effective player in a third line/checking line role that won’t reflect in his stat total. Rossi might only get 10 goals and 35 points this season and have a great season. With Rossi, it will really come down to the eye test.

10. Shane Wright, 18, Center, (Seattle Kraken – No. 4, 2022)

When Shane Wright fell to Seattle at the 2022 Draft they practically ran up to the podium to draft him. The concern with Wright was that he was “too nice” and didn’t have an NHL competitive level.

That being said, Wright has always performed on the biggest stage. In this past season with the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL, Wright scored 95 points in 63 games. He finished 8th in the league in scoring and was the only U-18 player in the top 20. He has fantastic skills that are capped off by his passing. 

Wright has a great offensive hockey IQ and always finds the open player. The problem with Wright’s case is that there is another rookie center on his team that will play more minutes than him. Beniers and Wright are likely not going to play together which will cut into Wright’s ice time, specifically on the power play. If Wright outscores Beniers with fewer minutes, he should win the Calder in my eyes.

11. William Eklund, 19, Left Wing, (San Jose Sharks – No. 7, 2021)

Eklund had a rough post-draft season. He scored a worse rate than he did in his draft year. He already has some NHL experience, playing 9 games last season. What Eklund benefits from is a weak top 6 forward group in San Jose.

Eklund is a phenomenal passer. He has excellent vision and creates soft ice for his teammates to skate into. The top 6 in San Jose isn’t entirely bad, but adding some youth in Eklund really benefits the team. If Eklund plays with a sniper like Tomas Hertl, he could put up a 45-50 point campaign. But Eklund will need to really drive the offense himself to get votes and not just benefit from his linemates.

12. Wyatt Johnston, 19, Center, (Dallas Stars – No. 23, 2021)

The Stars’ best prospect, Wyatt Johnston, is coming off a monster of a year with Windsor of the OHL. He scored 124 points in 68 games, which led the league in scoring. Johnston’s best attribute is his playmaking ability. This year he created 76 assists, which also led the OHL.

Johnston might just be the most creative player when it comes to this rookie class. He makes good decisions and never forces plays that aren’t there.  Seemingly impossible passing lines are opened up when Johnston is carrying the puck. 

And this season his goal-scoring arrived on the scene. Johnston might not have an incredible shot, but his hard work, offensive IQ and willingness to drive the net puts him in opportunities to bury rebounds which resulted in 46 goals. 

13. Juraj Slafkovsky, 18, Left Wing, (Montreal Canadiens- No. 1, 2022)

There is concern with Slafkovsky making the team full-time this year. He’s a big kid standing at 6’4 and over 220 pounds. He lacks eye-popping skill like some of his peers in this rookie class. But for what he lacks in skills he makes up for in dependability. 

Slafkovsky uses his body everywhere on the ice. He throws big hits that wear down opponents. He imposes his will on opponents engaging them in board battles to win possession of the puck. He has an NHL-level shot too.

It’s reported that he has bulked up over the summer, but will it be enough to make the team? Slafkovsky is eligible to play in the AHL this year which might be where he spends most of his time this season to refine his skating and overall game.

14. Shane Pinto, 21, Center, (Ottawa Senators – No. 32, 2019)

Pinto won’t get the attention he deserves on this young Ottawa Senators roster. The roster is full of young, exciting players, like Drake Batherson, Josh Norris, Brady Tkachuk, and the newly acquired Alex DeBrincat. Pinto should not get lost in the fold.

Pinto will likely play on the third line this year with some time on the power play. He is super dependable and has the perfect amount of grit and can play a checking role for the Sens’ new-look third line. He’s coming off shoulder surgery that derailed his rookie season last year. Being another year older and another year more experienced, I think Pinto will really impress the voters with his all-around game.  

15. Jack Quinn, 20, Right Wing, (Buffalo Sabres – No. 8, 2020)

Quinn is known as a pure goal-scoring winger with some good speed. CapFriendly projects Quinn to not only to make the Sabres, but play on their third line with his fellow countryman Dylan Cozens at center.  

Playing with a dynamic, young, and all-around good player like Cozens will benefit Quinn’s stat line. There’s no question he can score 20+ goals if he was given the right minutes. I’m interested to see if Quinn’s assist totals go up playing with Cozens and Kyle Okposo, two players who love to crash the net for rebounds.  

I’m also curious to see if Quinn’s play-driving ability takes the next step. Even with some impressive totals, it would be difficult for Quinn to win the Calder Trophy if he doesn’t take the next step as a skater.  

Current Vegas Betting Odds

Owen Power (+400)

Mason Mctavish (+400)

Matty Beniers (+550)

Kent Johnson (+1200)

Cole Perfetti (+1200)

Marco Rossi (+1600)

William Eklund (+1600)

Jake Sanderson (+1600)

Jack Quinn (+1600)

Juraj Slafkovsky (+2000)

Shane Wright (+2000)

Alexander Holtz (+4000)

Wyatt Johnston (+4000)

Luke Hughes (NR)

Shane Pinto (NR)