NHL Fantasy Rookies: 10 players to target this season

If last season was any indication, trying to hamper the Calder Trophy race again in September could prove to be another colossal waste of time.

But as you know, every season is different.

At the start of the 2021-22 season, the Montreal Canadiens’ Cole Caufield was the overwhelming favorite of the preseason to be crowned the NHL’s top rookie at the end of the year. And while the 21-year-old sniper showed tremendous potential under Martin St. Louis, we all know how that worked out.

There seems to be no shortage of serious contenders for the honor this time around. To qualify for the Calder Trophy, a player must not have played in more than 25 NHL games in a previous season or in six or more NHL games in each of the two previous seasons.

Here is a top 10 list of rookies to watch:

The rankings below are taken from Sportsnet’s pre-season top 250 fantasy rankings and are quantified based on projection, age and potential.

1. Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken (SN Rank: 122)

The second overall winner of 2021 made his much-anticipated debut last spring and didn’t disappoint, scoring three goals and nine points in ten games for the Kraken expansion. The Hobey Baker finalist was a busy man last season. In addition to starring for the Michigan Wolverines at the collegiate level, the pivot also played for the United States at the postponed World Junior Championships in December and the Winter Olympics in February. Beniers plans to be Seattle’s No. 1 center on opening night.

2. Mason McTavish, LW, Anaheim Ducks (SN Rank: 143)

After picking up World Junior gold and tournament MVP honors at Edmonton last month, McTavish could be primed for a monster rookie campaign for Anaheim. Like Beniers, the 19-year-old was everywhere last season. In fact, he played for six different teams at different levels: Anaheim (NHL), San Diego (AHL), Peterborough (OHL), Hamilton (OHL), Canada (World Junior), Canada (Winter Olympics). Last fall, McTavish scored two goals and one assist in nine games to start the season for the Ducks before eventually being sent back to junior. While there are no guarantees, McTavish should have no problem securing a top-six winger role to start the season for the Ducks.

3. Logan Thompson, G, Vegas Golden Knights (SN Rank: 145)

With Robin Lehner on the shelf for this season, Vegas’ #1 job is ripe for takeover, and at this point it’s Thompson’s loser. In 19 appearances last year, including 17 in the starting XI, the 25-year-old amassed a 10-5-3 record, 2.68 goals against average, .914 saves and one shutout. With Adin Hill and Laurent Brossoit behind him, despite his lack of NHL experience, Thompson is clearly the top crease option for the Golden Knights moving forward.

4. Owen Power, D, Buffalo Sabers (SN Rank: 158)

Seemingly like everyone else this rookie season, Power was everywhere last season. In fact, the 19-year-old followed almost the same path as Beniers, except he played for Canada and not the United States. Additionally, the first overall winner of 2021 ended the year with Buffalo, recording two goals and an assist in eight competitions. Power plans to play the top four minutes straight out of goal.

5. Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators (SN Rank: 174)

After signing his entry-level contract in March, a hand injury prevented the NCAA star from making his NHL debut last spring. With that in mind, it sounds like he has made a full recovery and all systems are in place for the start of the training camp. The fifth overall winner of 2020 was a two-season monster for North Dakota and was just as impressive on the national stage for the US. Look for Sanderson as Ottawa’s second power-play quarterback.

6. Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, Montreal Canadiens (SN Rank: 181)

At this point it’s still unclear where Slafkovsky, who went to Montreal as overall winner in June, will play this season. Of course, the Slovakian will be given every opportunity to make the team but considering the Canadians are stuck in a rebuild they will be wise in their decision. In 31 games for TPS Turku in the SM-liiga last season, the winger scored five goals and ten points. The 19-year-old also scored seven times in seven games for Slovakia at the Olympics.

7. Cole Perfetti, C/RW, Winnipeg Jets (SN Rank: 201)

In 18 appearances for the Jets last season, the 10th overall 2020 pick had two goals and seven points. The added winger added six more goals and 15 points in a total of 17 AHL competitions. There’s no question that Perfetti has the talent, it’s now about bringing it together. Furthermore, the arrival of Rick Bowness could prove to be good news for the forward. In recent seasons, the 67-year-old has played a pivotal role for Dallas in developing some of their blue-chip prospects like Jason Robertson. Perfetti should have a long look at a top-six winger role in training camp. be alert.

8. Marco Rossi, C, Minnesota Wild (SN Rank: 205)

Rossi feels great and considering what he’s been through over the last few years that’s all that matters. Back in late 2020, the 20-year-old was diagnosed with myocarditis — a heart condition — stemming from complications from COVID-19, and had to be sidelined for a long time. All in all, the ninth overall winner of 2020 has had a very solid season. He scored 18 goals and 53 points in 63 games for Iowa (AHL) and went pointless in two games for Minnesota. Upon entering camp, Rossi has a legitimate chance to cement a top six role.

9. Calen Addison, D, Minnesota Wild (SN Rank: 212)

Based on who’s ahead of him in the pecking order in Minnesota, you can chalk this one up as a heavy sleeper with tremendous potential for surprise. Most importantly, Addison is finally ready to become a full-time NHLer, a position vacated by Dmitriy Kulikov’s recent move. Over the long term, the former Pittsburgh second-round player is a key factor in Minnesota’s power play, which finished 18th in the NHL in 2021-22. Addison had four points in 15 games with the Wild last season and added 34 points in 43 games with Iowa (AHL). Be patient.

10. Shane Wright, C, Seattle Kraken (SN Rank: 235)

Similar to Slafkovsky, Wright’s immediate value in the non-keeper league is mediocre at best as it’s not clear where he will play this season. Seattle, which is building for the future, has the option to send the 18-year-old pivot back to junior. And if the Kraken don’t want to compete, what’s the rush? In 63 games for Kingston (OHL) last season, the Burlington native, who represented Canada on several occasions, scored 32 goals and 94 points. Wright’s future may be bright, but we may have to wait a little longer to see him in the NHL full-time. We will see.