10 Calder Trophy candidates heading into the 2022-23 NHL regular season
At the beginning of each NHL season the experts predict who may be a standout, or breakout player and which players might be voted as candidates for the NHL's respective individual awards.
I'm going to do just that, predicting who amongst the crop of rookies set to take their first strides in the NHL. The list is subjective, so it's not meant to spark an argument, but rather to debate about potential Calder Trophy candidates come season's end. Breaking it down to just ten is an admittedly tall task, so there will be a category labelled �In The Mix', which will include seven additional NHL rookies.
The list is in no particular order, so numbers for each player's respective spot will not be included, instead each player will just be listed with one paragraph worth of facts, information and scout comments about their skillset and such.
Alexander Holtz - Heading into the 2021 NHL Draft, Holts and fellow Swede Lucas Raymonds were touted as two NHL quality talents - Raymond is the playmaker, who possesses a lethal shot and high-level playmaking ability, standing at 5'10» tall and Holtz is the shooter, who employs a deadly shot, and has the knack for getting lost in the offensive zone, before making opponents pay with a pinpoint one-timer, he stands at 6'0» even, weighing 194 lbs.
Holtz has the tangibles and skillset to fit in great with Hughes, Hischier, Mercer and the rest of the New Jersey Devils young talent, painting a bright future in Newark, New Jersey.
While Holtz shot is certainly a crucial part to his game, he is no slouch when dishing the puck to teammates, to create scoring chances, he uses his skating and strong passing game to provide a constant threat to score while in the offensive zone. The Devils selected Holtz with the seventh overall pick.
Marco Rossi - The Austria native tore up the OHL during his time with the Ottawa 67's, forming a formidable duo alongside Buffalo Sabres prospect Jack Quinn, Rossi was the very adept centreman, playmaker and Quinn was the tee man, and a pretty good one at that, together the pair were lethal.
Rossi suited up for 109 games, over two seasons with the 67's, during his time in the OHL, Rossi scored 68 goals, 117 assists for 185 points. While his frame isn't the biggest at 5'9» tall, he has a strong lower body and core which allows Rossi to thrive at the pro level, which he proved last year in the AHL with the Iowa Wild, playing 63 games, scoring 18 goals, 35 assists for 53 points.
The Minnesota Wild selected Rossi with the ninth overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, and surely he'll fit in nicely with the likes of Kaprizov, Boldy and the rest of the Minnesota Wild core, including 2022 number 19 overall draft selection Liam Ohgren, and number 24 overall pick Danila Yurov.
Rossi's motor and high hockey IQ are two significant parts of his game, paired with elite skating and a heavy, accurate shot, Rossi has the tools to be a staple in the Wild's top six for years to come.
William Eklund - The young Swedish born winger was drafted overall by the San Jose Sharks in the NHL Draft, after playing the previous season with the , scoring goals, assists for points, through games.
Eklund suited up for nine NHL games in 2022 with the Sharks, scoring zero goals, four assists for four points.
The Swede's game is predicated on quick, agile elite-level skating, accompanied by a motor that gains him offensive opportunities regularly, where he showcase his sneaky shot or adept playmaking skills.
Simon Edvinsson - Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman selected the big Swedish defenseman out of the SHL's Frolunda program, with the sixth overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Edvinsson is a hulk-sized defenseman, standing six- feet-five-inches tall, weighing 200-pounds, who also has significant experience play against men in the SHL.
The big Swedish defenseman is a smooth skating, nimble footed mammoth on the ice, he covers large lengths of ice in just a few strides, his reach is a nightmare for opponents - offensively Edvinsson has a quick release, that is both accurate and heavy, he is also a solid passer and steady in transition.
Mason McTavish - Mason McTavish just finished captaining the gold medal winning Canadian team at the world juniors tournament in Edmonton, Alberta., where he also won tournament MVP, after scoring eight goals, nine assists for 17 points through seven games.
The Carp, Ontario., native suited up for nine NHL games, scoring two goals, one assists for three points.
The Hamilton Bulldogs captain has 49 goals, 40 assists for 89 points through 86 OHL games. The Anaheim Ducks selected McTavish with the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Kent Johnson - Kent Johnson was one third of team Canada's leadership group at the World Junior championships, along with Ducks prospect, and Canadian captain Mason McTavish and Detroit Red Wings round-three 63rf overall selection Donovan Sebrango. Johnson was drafted fifth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Draft, after playing his junior hockey in the AJHL with the Trail Smoke Eaters, scoring 61 goals, 86 assists for 147 points through 111 games, over three seasons. Johnson suited up for nine NHL games with the Jackets, scoring zero goals, three assists for three points; Johnson also recorded three goals, six assists for nine points at the U20 WJC's, highlighted by his michigan-style goal.
Owen Power - The University of Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey product was selected first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.
Power played his junior hockey in the USHL with the Chicago Steel, alongside the likes of Matt Coronato, Sean Farrell and Matty Beniers.
Power played eight games for the Sabres during the 2021-22 season, scoring two goals, one assist for three points - Power played his 2021-22 college year with the University of Michigan Wolverines men's hockey team, scoring three goals, 29 assists for 32 points through 33 NCAA games.
Juraj Slafkovsky - The Slovakia native was a standout at the Olympics and the World Hockey Championships, scoring seven goals, zero assists for seven points through seven Olympic tournament games, before going to the World's and scoring three goals, six assists for nine points through eight tournament games.
The Montreal Canadiens picked Slafkovsky with the first overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
Slafkovsky played 31 Liiga games with TPS Turku, scoring five goals, five assists for 10 points, he stands 6'4» tall, weighing 220 lbs.
Jake Sanderson - The son of Geoff Sanderson plays a steady all-around game predicated on shutdown defending, smart defensive play and strong skating, with a crisp first pass, in the offensive zone Sanderson's mind takes over, and he makes pinpoint passes, or unloads a heavy, accurate shot. The Ottawa Senators selected Sanderson with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft; he played his junior with team USA in the USNTDP, where he put up 10 goals, 31 assists for 41 points, through 45 games. Sanderson is considered one of the best defenseman in the world - who isn't in the NHL yet.
Matty Beniers - The USHL's USNTDP product holds the distinction of being the inaugural Seattle Kraken's first ever selection; where he was selected second overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Beniers scored 54 goals, 77 assists for 131 points through 155 USDP and USHL games, which earned him a spot on the University of Michigan Wolverines mens hockey team.
Through 61 NCAA games, Beniers scored 30 goals, 37 assists for 67 points; Beniers game is all about responsible two-way play, along with a high hockey IQ, elite skating and a high motor which fit seamlessly with his NHL shot, and playmaking ability - Beniers projects as a top-six centre, who will be a regular on both the penalty kill and powerplay.
In the mix
Shane Wright - Touted as the number one pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs captain, slipped to fourth overall, where he was selected by the Seattle Kraken.
Wright is described as a fantastic two way center, who is strong in all three zones, using strong skating, a strong defensive stick and one of the best shots in his draft class.
During his time in junior, Wright played 121 games with the Frontenacs, scoring 71 goals, 89 assists for 160 points.
Justin Barron - The Colorado Avalanche drafted Barron with 25th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, out of the OHL's Halifax Mooseheads program, where Barron captained the 2020-21 team, during his junior career; he put up 23 goals, 89 assists for 112 points through 186 games.
Barron is a smooth-skating, offensive-minded righthanded defender who stand six-feet-two inches tall, weighing 194-pounds - professionally Barron has suited up for seven games, in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles, scoring one goal, three assists for four points, and two NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche scoring zero points.
Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes and Avalanche GM Joe Sakic swung a deal at the NHL trade deadline - involving two significant pieces, in Justin Barron and Artturri Lehkonen - The Canadiens received Barron, along with a 2024 second-round pick, in exchange for Lehkonen who played all of his NHL games with the Habs, up until the trade.
Barron has a huge opportunity ahead of himself, with the Canadiens right side of their blueline missing two big pieces, Shea Weber (who was traded to Vegas) and Jeff Petry (who went to the Penguins in the trade for Mike Matheson), the Canadiens other options on the right side are David Savard and Chris Wideman, who signed an extension with the Habs during the offseason.
Thomas Bordeleau - The San Jose Sharks selected Bordeleau with the 38 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, after he played 47 games with the U18 USA team in the USNTDP, scoring 16 goals, 30 assists for 46 points.
Bordeleau thrives in the offensive zone with quick dekes, brilliant passing and his deadly release, which he used for the Americans at the WJC's this summer, scoring one goal, seven assists for eight points through five tournament games.
Bordeleau has a huge camp ahead of him, with a chance to make the San Jose Sharks opening-night lineup within reach.
Kaiden Guhle - The Alberta native was selected in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Canadiens at overall, Guhle stands six-feet-four-inches tall, and plays a throwback defensive style, likened to a Shea Weber or Larry Robinson, punishing defenders who enter the zone on his side of the ice.
Since being drafted, Guhle has rounded out his game, adding more offensive flare to his defensively sound game, scoring seven goals, 33 assists for 40 points in 42 regular season games split between the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders and Edmonton Oil Kings, before putting up eight goals, eight assists for 16 playoff points, en route to a Memorial Cup clinching win.
Guhle is knocking on the door for a roster spot with the Canadiens, with the Laval Rocket as his backup plan.
Dylan Holloway - The University of Wisconsin Badgers mens hockey team product, played 58 games through his NCAA career, scoring 19 goals, 33 assists for 52 points.
The Edmonton Oilers selected Holloway with the 14th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, as his size, skill and play style are scarce throughout the Oilers lineup.
Holloway plays in all situations, and is great in all three zones, exhibiting strong skating dynamics, a big motor and a big strong frame, which he uses to protect pucks, or cause havoc in front of the opposing teams net on the powerplay, his compete level, and defensive game earn him minutes on the penalty kill, professionally Holloway has played 33 AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors, scoring eight goals, 14 assists for 22 points.
Ridly Greig - Greig played his junior career in the WHL, with the Brandon Wheat Kings, scoring 76 goals, 115 assists for 191 points over five seasons.
The Senators love Greig's compete level, and dogged effort every shift, along with his grit and fantastic all-around abilities.
Greig showed his stuff with the the Wheat Kings as captain, scoring 26 goals, 37 assists for 63 points, then went to play for team Canada at the WJC's in Alberta, where he played five games, scoring three goals, three assists for six points, before an injury cut short his tournament.
Jake Neighbours - The Memorial Cup champion Edmonton Oil Kings captain, was selected by the St. Louis Blues with the 26 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Neighbours game is lead by his smooth-skating, and high hockey IQ, which allows him to thrive on the ice making tough plays, seemingly with ease.
Neighbours has played 49 WHL games since being drafted, with the Oil Kings, scoring 26 goals, 52 assists for 78 points.
The Airdrie, Alberta., native played nine NHL games in 2022, scoring one goal, one assist for two points.
Honourable mentions
This list includes additional players who can be described as dark horses to surprise the NHL.
Shane Pinto, Victor Soderstrom, Philip Broberg, Brett Berard, Jordan Harris and Morgan Frost.
Stay tuned for the regular season, a mid-season update will follow this article, then one final article before the top three Calder hopefuls are announced.
