2024 NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Connor Bedard Leads Pre-Season Top 25

The latest batch of rookies could be the most talented in years, writes Tony Ferrari. His pre-season top 25 rookies list features top prospect forwards, dynamic D-men, goalie wild cards and much more.

The rookie class for this upcoming NHL season is absolutely loaded with talent. 

Connor Bedard is a borderline generational player who should hit the ground running in his first NHL campaign with the Chicago Blackhawks. But the impressive thing about this year’s crop of freshmen is that even if Bedard were not among the group, it would still be one of the most talented rookie groups in years.

For reference, the NHL’s eligibility for rookie status says “a player cannot have played more than 25 games in any single preceding season nor in six or more games in each of any two preceding seasons” and “must not have attained his 26th birthday by Sept. 15 of the season in which he is eligible.”

With training camps set to kick off shortly, let’s use this opportunity to set up the Calder Trophy race for the season by looking at the rookies who look poised to assert themselves in the NHL for this upcoming season.

The favorite coming into the year, Bedard should be fairly comfortable at the top of the Calder race throughout the season, barring injury. Chicago has a weak lineup, and Bedard might even become the best player not long from the moment he steps onto the ice in a Chicago sweater. He should be given every opportunity he could ask for as a rookie.

Bedard possesses the goal-scoring ability to score 30 as a rookie and could challenge the 40 that Auston Matthews scored in the 2016-17 season. His assist totals may suffer a bit because of the lack of talent around him, but should he have Taylor Hall or Lukas Reichel on his wing, he should be more than capable of challenging 75 points on the year. 

Bedard is the best prospect we’ve seen since McDavid and Matthews. Between the opportunity given to him and the insane talent that he possesses, he should be the leading candidate to take home the Calder at season’s end.

The “will he, won’t he” of whether Cooley was going to sign finally came to an end after he reversed course and left school to sign his entry-level contract in late July. After proving just about everything he could at the NCAA level, Cooley gives Bedard his best challenger for the annual rookie of the year award. Cooley is a year older and will receive many of the same opportunities that Bedard will be given while working with a supporting cast that is surprisingly a bit better.

Cooley is a skilled playmaker who creates opportunities for his teammates and himself. He plays with an advanced understanding of time and space while possessing some of the best passing and puck skills in the rookie class. Cooley should be an immediate weapon for the Coyotes, who need a No. 1 center. How much trust he immediately earns in Arizona will be fascinating to watch.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft will have the opportunity to fill a void Columbus has never truly filled – the No. 1 center spot. After a season in which he won the Hobey Baker over Cooley and every other college player, he will likely jump right into the NHL and get the chance to play with talented wingers in Columbus. Whether he occupies the top-line center spot right away or plays in the middle of the lineup, the options for linemates are intriguing, from Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine to Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko.

The biggest factor in Fantilli challenging for the Calder will be whether he gets the same opportunity as some of the other top rookies. The assumption heading into the season is he will get top power-play time and should earn plenty of 5-on-5 ice time, but the Blue Jackets aren’t about to give him opportunities he doesn’t earn. Fantilli has true 30-goal, 30-assist potential as a rookie and could find himself pushing 70-plus points should he get extended time with Gaudreau and Laine.

The ultimate wild card in the Calder race, Devon Levi could be the difference between the Buffalo Sabres breaking their 12-year playoff drought or extending it yet again. 

Levi was a breath of fresh air for the Sabres late last season, coming in and providing the best goaltending they saw all season after another impressive NCAA season with Northeastern.

It’s not an easy task for a goalie to win the Calder, especially in a year that should feature a number of very strong candidates at forward and defense. But Levi could be in the perfect position to do so. He should start the season in tandem with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and assuming everything goes as planned, Levi should be the starter heading into the playoffs. 

Levi should benefit from an improved defense corps and a growing team in front of him. The Sabres are one of the league’s most exciting young teams, and Levi could be front and center this season.

Depending on exactly where the coaching staff slots Knies, he could be in store for a monster rookie season. 

He brings a blend of physicality and finesse that Toronto craves in its top six. If he lands on the wing of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, he should be able to comfortably ride his way into a 50-plus-point season. He has the finishing ability in tight, a very good shot from the slot and the forechecking and puck-hounding game that should fit right in with the Leafs’ two franchise players.

Knies could also find himself on the wing opposite of William Nylander with John Tavares down the middle, which would still be just as good of an opportunity as just about any other rookie in the league. Knies' versatility is a massive asset, but it could be his downfall in the Calder race as the Leafs may look to use him as a depth piece on the third line, which would limit his offensive production. His lack of power-play time could also hurt his ability to produce.

We saw exactly how exciting the youngest Hughes brother could be last season as he put his skill and speed on display throughout his short post-NCAA stint with the Devils. If he gets the keys to the power play and is allowed to run wild at 5-on-5 in the high-octane Devils’ offense, he could be a massive producer. Unfortunately, with New Jersey possessing one of the best rosters in the NHL, he may not be given those opportunities – at least not right away.

Dougie Hamilton will likely be the defenseman on the top power-play unit, and the Devils may limit Hughes' ice time late in games when trying to hold onto a lead, which would hurt his ability to do what he does best. 

Hughes is a highly dynamic puck-transporter who loves to involve himself on the offensive side of the puck. He has wicked passing ability, and he can exploit skating lanes in an instant to create scoring chances for himself as well. We may just be a year or two away from getting the full Luke Hughes experience.

It was a moderate surprise when the Ducks called Leo Carlsson’s name at second overall in the 2023 draft, but the incredibly talented Swede may be as pro-ready as any rookie. 

The 6-foot-3 forward can play center or wing, which should see him play in the top six in a variety of roles. If the Ducks are steadfast on keeping Trevor Zegras at center, Carlsson could play on the wing, but they could move Zegras to the wing and have Carlsson center the top line with Troy Terry on the other side. Either way, it would give the Ducks a top line that would be a handful to deal with for any team in a few years.

Carlsson isn’t as flashy as some of his rookie classmates, but he plays with much more nuance and purpose at times. He excels in board battles and reading play off the puck while having the natural playmaking ability to find teammates in opportune positions. He rarely settles for low-danger chances, attacking the slot with a heavy shot. Carlsson's biggest limitation would be if he centers the third line, a role that isn’t conducive to competing for the Calder.

Shane Wright has been through the wringer over the last few years. He lost a year in the OHL due to COVID-19, then fell in the draft, then played in the NHL, AHL, OHL and world juniors. To say that his development has been affected by the rollercoaster three years would be an understatement. 

Once deemed an exceptional talent in the OHL, scoring at a rate that was higher than any other 15-year-old in league history, Wright has struggled to find consistency in his game.

With the pressure seemingly off him to live up to the status he once held, Wright can finally get back to playing hockey for himself. He struggled to earn consistent minutes with the NHL club last year, but his brief OHL run proved he's done in that league, and the Kraken could look to get him into meaningful NHL games this upcoming season. 

If he can earn a role in the top nine, Wright could be a sleeper candidate to challenge for the Calder, especially if he can uncover his previous offensive skill.

Following a season of poor goaltending, the Calgary Flames may have a short leash for the tandem of Jacob Markstrom and Dan Vladar. 

Insert Dustin Wolf, the goaltending prospect who's been exceptional at every stop. He collected two WHL top goaltender awards and two AHL top goaltender awards in the last four years. Simply put, regardless of what level he's been at, Dustin Wolf has been the best goalie in the league for a half-decade.

Wolf’s biggest flaw is that he is undersized. That hasn’t held him back, though, as he is one of the most skilled puck-trackers in the game and understands how to be economical and precise with his movements in the crease. Wolf looked fantastic in the lone NHL game last year and could be poised to overtake one or both of the Calgary incumbents on the depth chart if he gets his shot. Opportunity will be the biggest barrier for Wolf’s Calder candidacy.

After playing in nine games early last season and then heading back to the OHL after the world juniors, Clarke is looking to solidify his place on the Kings blueline. 

The incredibly offensive-minded defenseman tore up the OHL last year, putting up 61 points in just 31 games, often looking like the most dominant player in the league. He had a very good case to be crowned the league's top defender, but playing just half of the season hurt his case.

Clarke has the offensive capabilities to be higher on this list, but opportunities may be hard for him to come by. The Kings are a competitive team that is still very much reliant on Drew Doughty on the power play. Clarke should get a long leash on the second power-play unit, but he will have to be unreal, or Doughty would have to go down with an injury for him to get the chance to produce at the level he’d need to in order to be a true Calder contender.

The Anaheim Ducks were brutal defensively throughout last season, and there's an opportunity for young players to jump into the NHL lineup. Cam Fowler, Radko Gudas and youngster Jamie Drysdale seem like the only players with surefire gigs on the blueline, and Zellweger – along with Pavel Mintyukov and Jackson LaCombe – could be poised to take jobs for the Ducks.

Zellweger dominated the WHL, oftentimes looking like the best player not named Connor Bedard. His ability to manipulate and outwit opponents with the puck on his stick, along with a cerebral mindset for offensive creation, gives him the inside track to an NHL gig. Whether he starts the year at the NHL or AHL level, there is no reason to think he couldn't find his way into big minutes for the Ducks at the end of the year.

With 15 points in 24 games last year, Evangelista just barely comes in under the Calder requirements for games played. That gave us a preview of what he can do at the NHL level. Evangelista has always been a player who puts up points at whatever levels he’s been at, and the NHL seemed to be no different as the Predators wrapped up last season. The hard-working and habit-driven forward just understands what to do to put himself in good offensive positions. He is going to play the game the way coaches want him to at both ends of the ice, which should provide him with ample opportunity to produce offensively.

After dealing with a life-altering bout of COVID that threw the ultimate wrench in his development, Marco Rossi has done everything he can to get back on track, including two seasons with more than 50 points in the AHL. He spent some time in the NHL last year and knows what he has to do to be successful at that level. Rossi was one of the most intelligent players in his draft class, picking teams apart with his cerebral mind and showcasing excellent two-way play along with impressive puck skill.

Stankoven has been one of the most impressive players in junior hockey over the last few years. He was the only player in the WHL who came close to Connor Bedard when it came to laying claim as the league’s best player. He may not be the biggest player, but he plays with a fearlessness that is enviable. His sheer desire to take the puck from the other team and attack the middle of the ice should bode well for him in the NHL. With Stankoven, the biggest question is what will the adjustment period be and whether he can hit the ground running to garner Calder buzz.

The Flyers are going to need someone to step in and provide some goal-scoring, and the 2020 first-rounder may be able to provide that. He had seven points in eight NHL games last year, and his shooting talent could make him an impact player on the power play this season. Foerster has dealt with injuries since being drafted, but after a healthy year last year and a good summer behind him, Foerster could be a sneaky-good dark horse for the Calder.

The Jackets have been building up their prospect pool, and Jiricek may be the prize of the pool on the back end. His aggressive nature with and without the puck should garner some fanfare, as he loves to lay the boom with his body and blast bombs from the point as a shooter. It’s hard for a defenseman to produce enough to get into the Calder race most years, and Jiricek could likely get there. But with a loaded class and the reality that he won’t be getting top power-play time thanks to some of the offensive blueliners ahead of him on the depth chart, it’s an uphill battle for Jiricek.

The Flames are in need of a big turnaround from their veterans and some talent injection from their young players now that their head coach isn’t an old man yelling at clouds. Matthew Coronato has been a producer at every level. His agility may be lacking, and he doesn’t wow with dashing speed or puck skill, but the Flames prospect is an efficient and intelligent forward who can play just about any role on a line. He understands how to get to pockets of space to be a finisher, or he can be an excellent facilitator of the puck. He works hard and looks to get the puck back for his squad.

The Senators plan to welcome Brady Tkachuk-lite to the squad this upcoming season. A feisty, disruptive forward who is hard to play against and never shies away from the after-whistle battle, Greig is a very interesting prospect. He likely won’t find himself in the top six minutes, which could limit his Calder potential, but he can certainly make his mark in the NHL immediately. Greig should slot into the Sens’ bottom six, play a lot of games, and show up in the post-game highlight pack for his antics and his statistical contributions.

Oftentimes, some rookies are extremely effective, play an important role for a very good team and don’t receive the love in the Calder race. This year’s rookie who could fit that role is Brock Faber. He is an effective defender who uses his high-level mobility to cut off routes and break down the opponent's offensive rushes. Faber is an efficient puck-mover who has good offensive traits, but he isn’t the creative dynamo that is generally required to win the Calder. His underlying stats may warrant a case for being one of the best rookies, but his counting stats likely lack.

The Leafs won’t be relying on Woll to play a large number of games with Ilya Samsonov in the starter role, but he’s just one injury away from playing a big role for a contending team. The Leafs proved that they can win with Woll in net, and his play over the last couple of years has really showcased the potential in his game. He plays a calm game, and the Leafs could use that if they have to turn to him in any long-term role.

Much like Woll, Hofer won’t be the immediate starter, but if the Blues have to turn to him, he could very well steal the job. With the struggles of Blues starter Jordan Binnington over the last couple of years, Hofer is the future, and the future could be now. Hofer has been good at the AHL level, internationally for Canada’s junior team, and everywhere else he has played. If Hofer gets into extended action, he will skyrocket up this list.

The Stars prospect tore up the AHL last season and did an excellent job of improving throughout the year. He will be in a battle to earn a roster spot with the NHL club to start the year, and he and Stankoven could be in the battle against each other for one spot. If Bourque wins the gig, he and Stankoven could flip spots here on this list. Bourque is an uber-skilled forward who could bring another wave of skill to the Stars. If he were to pair with Johnston on the third line, they could form one of the most dangerous young dynamic duos in the league. He has to find a way onto the NHL squad for the majority of the season, though.

There isn’t a guarantee that Othmann is on the Rangers roster this year but if he is, he could be a dark horse to get in on the Calder conversation even if he doesn’t finish as one of the finalists. Othmann does it all, from getting under the opponent’s skin to putting pucks in the back of the opponent’s net. He could be one of the NHL’s next big pests, but he also has a big task in front of him to not only make the Rangers but also earn his way up the lineup to find himself in a role to produce.

It may be a year too early for Askarov (and the next guy) to be on the Calder list, but if there is an injury to Juuse Saros, the Preds could turn to one of the most gifted netminders to come through the draft in a decade. Askarov is such an elite physical specimen in net, understanding how to track and read the play at a high level. He can be his own worst enemy when he tries to do too much, but Askarov should be a high-level starter in a few years; he just needs the opportunity.

Much like Askarov, the biggest impediment for Wallstedt is opportunity. A year from now, that may be a different story. Wallstedt is a composed, technical goaltender who understands how to read a game and stay square to shooters. He may be one of the best goalie prospects in hockey, but another year in the AHL seems to be what’s on tap for the young Swede. He is an impressive prospect, but he should be able to come in next year much higher up on this list.