Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli are taking all the headlines, and rightfully so, but don't overlook the rest of what could be an exceptional 2023-24 rookie class.

Let’s just get the easy one out of the way: Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli are the most obvious choices. One is a generational talent and franchise player, and the other is an elite No. 1 center that mixes both size and skill. Under no capacity should neither of them go undrafted in any type of league. For Bedard, he’s a first-round pick in dynasty leagues and his upside is tremendous is one-year leagues that emphasize points.

The criteria for the list of players below are the same as the Calder. All players on this list are under 26 years old, have played fewer than 25 games in a single season, or played no more than six or more games in any two preceding seasons.

1. Connor Bedard, C, Blackhawks (Potential role: 1C, PP1)

In other news, water is wet.

Bedard comes in with as much hype as any potential franchise superstar, and the Blackhawks have smartly surrounded him with some quality wingers, most notably Taylor Hall. 

The closest comparable – in terms of expectations, at least – is Connor McDavid, who scored at an 87-point pace in his rookie season. Hall was the Oilers’ leading scorer that season, but McDavid and Hall rarely played together, and instead it was Jordan Eberle and Benoit Pouliot who ended up playing with McDavid. McDavid’s scoring rate might’ve been higher had he played with Hall more often; in 75 minutes of 5-on-5, they notched an elite 56.85 CF%. For reference, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for 56.36 CF% last season.

If Hall can generate really good offensive numbers with a player such as McDavid (despite the small sample size), we assume he can do the same with Bedard. Hall is coming off an excellent playoff run with the Bruins, and the other lucky winger will assuredly be much better than Pouliot, who played just two more seasons. That should put Bedard a point-per-game pace to start. Last season, only 36 forwards scored at a point-per-game pace or better (min. 50 GP), and arguably only McDavid has more upside than Bedard.

2. Adam Fantilli, C, Blue Jackets (1C/2C, PP1)

There’s nothing wrong thinking Fantilli will score more points than Bedard this season but also think Bedard is the better player. Fantasy managers have to make decisions in a vacuum, taking into account strength of schedule and linemates. The latter is where Fantilli has a huge edge over Bedard, potentially centering Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine.

There’s not much standing in the way of Fantilli becoming the Jackets’ top pivot right away. Boone Jenner will be his biggest competition, since the Jack Roslovic experiment fizzled and Kent Johnson seems better suited on the wing. Fantilli’s NCAA numbers compare favorably to Jack Eichel, both of whom won the Hobey Baker as freshmen and joined teams that had very good players at the top of the lineup. Based on Eichel’s numbers, we can project Fantilli to score roughly 60 points, if not more, depending on his linemates.

It's worth noting that even though Mike Babcock has a reputation for favoring veterans over young players, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander scored at least 60 points in their rookie seasons under Babcock. Babcock can get stingy with ice time, but as previously noted, the Jackets don’t have enough quality depth down the middle to not play Fantilli. Taking Fantilli in the first five rounds in a one-year, 10-team league is a reach, but certainly justifiable within the top 100 picks.

3. Logan Cooley, C, Coyotes (2C/3C, PP2)

Better late than never. Cooley is a late entry to the 2023-24 rookie class, reversing his earlier decision to return to the University of Minnesota for his sophomore season after turning pro in late July. The Coyotes have collected an impressive group of prospects, but perhaps none more so than Cooley, the fifth overall pick in 2022 who was a Hobey Baker finalist and trailed only Fantilli in scoring in the NCAA.

Cooley immediately steps in as the most high-upside center on the Coyotes, though Barrett Hayton is likely ahead on the depth chart and the most likely option between the dynamic duo of Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller. However, Jason Zucker and Lawson Course, both coming off 20-goal seasons, and also youngsters Matias Maccelli and Dylan Guenther, provide Cooley with quality players on his flanks. He’ll need good finishers to complement his playmaking ability and speed.

The drawback for Cooley is the Coyotes’ depth at center; Nick Bjugstad, Jack McBain and Travis Boyd are excellent role players and better defensive matchups for Andre Tourigny to deploy. Cooley’s playing time will fluctuate, depending on game flow and his own play. It’s worth noting center is a difficult position to play for any rookie, and it’s likely Cooley will get moved to the wing at some point, providing the potential for dual-position eligibility.

4. Matthew Knies, LW, Maple Leafs (2LW/3LW, PP2)

We got a taste of Knies last season, showing his tip-top playmaking ability in the playoffs. Among Leafs forwards, only Nylander generated more expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, and Knies ranked seventh in shot attempts per 60 minutes, just barely trailing John Tavares and Michael Bunting.

While Tyler Bertuzzi may have the inside track to play on the top line with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, there’s a chance Knies wins that spot. Scoring goals will not be a problem for the Leafs and the added roster flexibility with players such as Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok, who can play multiple positions and move up and down the lineup, ensures that Knies will get to play with quality linemates. Look for Knies to get middle-six minutes with a role on PP2, and he’ll be a popular dark horse for the Calder Trophy.

5. Tyson Foerster, RW, Flyers (2RW/3RW, PP2)

Foerster was the top scorer for the Flyers’ farm club with 20 goals and 48 points in 66 games last season. He was called up as an emergency loan in early March, and through his first three games – all losses – did not register a point and finished with five shots and a minus-3 rating. He scored his first NHL point in his fourth game, sparking a five-game point streak where the Flyers went 4-0-1 before being re-assigned to AHL Lehigh Valley for their playoff run.

Foerster is one of the Flyers’ up-and-coming prospects and in a short period of time has won over John Tortorella. The Flyers are in the midst of making sea changes to their roster, and with Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson set to return, spots may be limited in the top six. However, Foerster showed good chemistry with Morgan Frost, whose playmaking ability is a good complement to Foerster’s excellent shot. There’s 20-goal potential for Foerster; Tortorella is not afraid to give minutes to young players who deserve it (see Cates, Noah), and he’ll put Foerster in a position to succeed.

6. Matt Coronato, RW, Flames (2RW/3RW, PP2)

Coronato’s not even in Yahoo’s system yet, but rest assured, you’ll be learning his name soon. The Harvard grad is an excellent shooter; he scored 38 goals in 68 games in two collegiate seasons, and his 48-goal season in the USHL is the second-highest single season total in league history.

The Flames are in dire need of new blood to reinvigorate a franchise that saw plenty of turmoil last season. There’s still plenty of firepower up front, but it’s anyone’s guess how that will look one season from now. Coronato has a chance to play higher in the lineup as the Flames re-configure their lines and a 20-goal season is not out of the question.

7. Luke Evangelista, RW, Predators (1RW/2RW, PP2)

Seen as a middle-six winger with good skating ability and a willingness to engage in all areas of the ice, Evangelista has started to silence those who doubted his offensive ability. His first full pro season turned heads – 41 points in 49 games for AHL Milwaukee and 15 points in 24 games with the Preds.

The downside: Evangelista’s advanced numbers suggest he’s been very lucky (1.063 PDO) with 18 goals for at 5-on-5 versus 12.74 in expected goals, and capitalized on starting in the offensive zone 76.74 percent of the time. He also scored points in just nine of his 24 games, including three multi-point games, but that also suggests in the right matchup, Evangelista has some explosive offense.

These numbers suggest Evangelista won’t score at the same pace as the previous season (pro-rated at 51 points), but there’s upside playing on the top line in an up-tempo style the Preds will play under new coach Andrew Brunette.

8. Jiri Kulich, C, Sabres (3C/4C, PP2)

With Jack Quinn expected to miss the start of the season with an Achilles injury, it’s opened up a roster spot. One of the favourites to win a roster spot is Kulich, who won silver with Czechia at the World Juniors, and with AHL Rochester scored 46 points in 62 games during the season and another 11 points in 12 games in the playoffs at just 18 years old.

Do not be surprised if Kulich makes the team out of camp and manages to stick with the team for the entire season given how well he’s performed lately. He can win a spot in the bottom six and play either center or left wing, bumping a player on the fringes of the roster, such as Tyson Jost.

9. Marco Rossi, C, Wild (4C, PP2)

Rossi had a tough time finding his way with the Wild, recording just one assist in 19 games. However, back-to-back 50-point seasons with AHL Iowa is incredibly encouraging, as is the Wild’s lack of depth down the middle. Asides from Joel Eriksson Ek, the Wild are still using role players – as good as Ryan Hartman and Frederick Gaudreau have been – to fill out the gaps in the middle, and neither of them have nearly the same upside as Rossi.

There’s a wide range of outcomes for Rossi as he finds his way in the NHL, but it’s certain the AHL is no longer a challenge. Rossi has to take the next step, and if he can find his way up the lineup, the rewards are potentially huge with his two-way game and playmaking ability.

10. Tye Kartye, LW, Kraken (1LW, PP2)

We did not forget you, Tye. The undrafted rookie made his NHL debut midway through the playoffs and made an indelible impression, scoring in his first game and finished with five points in 10 games. The late bloomer literally exploded onto the scene, scoring 28 goals and 57 points in 72 games in the AHL and was named rookie of the year for his efforts.

The Kraken have a ton of depth on the wing and Kartye will have to win a spot out of camp. Eeli Tolvanen’s 18-goal season secured him a roster spot after being claimed off waivers last season, and Washington state native Kailer Yamamoto was signed to add more veteran depth. Kartye played limited minutes but lined up next to Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle very often, and if he can reclaim that spot, it makes him a very intriguing dark horse.

Honourable Mention:

Shane Wright, C, Kraken (4C, PP2)

The Kraken’s depth at center ensures that Wright won’t get the requisite ice time to make a huge impact in fantasy. He averaged less than nine minutes per game in a fourth-line role last season, and it’ll be a similar story for 2023-24.

The difference between Wright (and Knies, to a lesser extent) and the rest of the list is the Kraken are a playoff contender. It ensures that Dave Hakstol will lean more on his veterans, and it’s possible Wright plays a full season with AHL Coachella Valley to ensure he gets the playing time he needs to develop.

All positions courtesy of Yahoo! Fantasy. All advanced stats courtesy naturalstattrick.com.