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Kevin: NHL Boasts Another Quality Rookie Class for upcoming 2022-23 season

September 19, 2022, 10:56 PM ET [3 Comments]
Kevin Allen
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Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish fits the NHL game like an all-terrain vehicle is perfect for narrow trails and all forms of backwoods driving. McTavish is both a beastly presence and a sleek performer.

He is 6-foot, 215 pounds of hard-nosed competitive energy.

That's why he leads my list of favorites for the Calder Trophy in 2022-23. He didn't look out of place last season when he played nine games for the Ducks and contributed a pair of goals, three points and 12 shots on goal.

Now a year older and overflowing with confidence, McTavish could have a significant impact on the Ducks lineup. He was almost too good the Ontario Hockey League last season, posting 20 goals and 49 points in 29 games for the Peterborough Petes and then the Hamilton Bulldogs. Playing for the Bulldogs in the postseason, McTavish produced 16 goals and 29 points in 19 games.

The aggressive forward was equally dominant at the World Junior Championships with eight goals and 17 points in seven games for the gold-medal winning Canadians.

He was probably ready for the NHL challenge last season. He will be more than ready this season.

The NHL has another solid class of rookies. Here are my other favorites:

2. Defenseman Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres):
He's another player who probably could have played in the NHL last season. He's a 6-foot-6 defenseman who can have as much impact on the Buffalo Sabres this season as Moritz Seider had on the Detroit Red Wings last season.

All Seider did was become the first Red Wings' player to win the Calder since Roger Crozier in 1964-65.

Power has the potential to generate 40+ points and be a force defensively. He will help Rasmus Dahlin by taking pressure of him. Last season, Power stepped into Buffalo's lineup late in the season and scored twice in his first eight games.

3. Center Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken): After his University of Michigan season was over, Beniers played for Seattle and generated three goals and six assists for nine points in 10 games.

He has been compared to a young Ron Francis who just happens to be Seattle's general manager.

Beniers is a smart, savvy, two-way forward who can raise a team's level of play. He's advanced for a teenager.

4. Goaltender Logan Thompson (Vegas Golden Knight): Robin Lehner's injury opened the door for Thompson to become the starter. He covers plenty of ground with his 6-foot-4 frame. He's agile and confident.

Last season, he played 19 games and put up a .914 save percentage and a 10-5-3 record.

If the Vegas Golden Knights make the playoffs this season, he likely will be a prime contender for the Calder.


5. Right wing Jack Quinn (Buffalo Sabres):
He's at +1600 on the betting boards, ranked ninth on many of them for a Calder bet. But he has the potential to score some goals this season. He is a good value bet.

The Ottawa native can generate offense. He netted 26 goals and put up 61 points in 45 games for Rochester (N.Y.) in the American League last season. He managed a goal and two points for Buffalo in his late call-up.

Depending upon who he plays with, Quinn has 20+ goal potential this season. He can find the net.


6. Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets: It feels like he's going to get an opportunity to show what he can do this season. Last season, he managed to give Winnipeg a taste of his potential. He managed seven points in 18 games.

But he was more dynamic in the American League where he put up 15 points in 18 games. He will eventually reach that level of production in the NHL.

It may not be this season, but he should put up enough points to garner Calder attention.


7. Center Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild:
He reminded everyone how skilled he is by totaling 53 points in 63 games in the American Hockey League.

He was the ninth pick in the 2020 draft for a reason. He has sorcery in his hands. Rossi could settle into Minnesota's top six this season.


8. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson (Detroit Red Wings): He could be a wild card in the Calder race because nobody seems to have a handle on his offensive potential.

He's 6-foot-6 and skates impressively. He has demonstrated offensive flair, but his Swedish team didn't use him much offensively.

The Red Wings want him to make the team. And there is a hope that he can step in and be an instant force like Seider was.

9. Center William Eklund (San Jose Sharks): He thought he was ready for the NHL last season. Hence, he has extra motivation to bolt quickly from the gate this season.

He had a ho-hum season, not a monstrous year, in Sweden. He only had one goal in 29 games. He did manage 13 assists. But he has first-rate skill. He's still only 19.

10. Defenseman Jake Sanderson (Ottawa): He projects to be a top pairing defenseman, but it may take some time to find his place on this improving team.

He's a well-rounded player and he adjusts quickly he could be a top Calder factor.

Sleeper: Right wing Kirill Marchenko (Columbus Blue Jackets): He's a 22-year-old 6-foot-2 forward who has played three full seasons in the KHL.
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