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Could Logan Cooley challenge Connor Bedard for Calder?

Could Logan Cooley challenge Connor Bedard for Calder?

Plus, Adam Fantilli scores his 1st as a Blue Jacket, NHL salary cap expected to increase next season, and a lot more.

Brandon Rubeo & kevin Allen
October 05, 2023

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Good morning. Yesterday’s poll was the way we like it: tight! The Avalanche are your favorite to win the 2024 Presidents’ Trophy, collecting 23.3% of yesterday’s vote, with the Hurricanes and Maple Leafs collecting 20% each, and the Bruins right behind the pack with 16.7%.

Back in July we asked for your 2024 Calder Trophy predictions. No surprise Connor Bedard collected 46% of your vote but today is Kevin’s turn to lean into the rookie of the year debate, below.

- Brandon Rubeo & Kevin Allen

Today’s Lineup:

2024 Calder Trophy race
Adam Fantilli scores his 1st as a Blue Jacket
NHL salary cap to increase $4-$4.5 million next year
And a lot more… 👇

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Could Logan Cooley Challenge Bedard for Calder?

eishockey-online.com

No one is going to make us forget that center Connor Bedard is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy.

But Arizona Coyotes rookie Logan Cooley may surely try.

The dynamic forward is a gifted performer, certainly one of the most talented prospects in Coyotes’ history. It’s not unthinkable that he could lead the Coyotes in scoring this season.

Bedard is the betting-odds favorite (-120, FanDuel) to win the Calder, but here’s our list of top rookies:

1. Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks): Most fantasy projections have Bedard putting up a point per game with a bottom five team this season. He has some abracadabra in his game.

2. Logan Cooley (Coyotes): He scored a spectacular goal in a preseason game in Australia that put the hockey community on notice that he could challenge Bedard, after putting up 60 points at the University of Minnesota last season as a freshman.

3. Devon Levi (Buffalo Sabres): The 21-year-old goalie is expected to be the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie. The Sabres desperately need to qualify for the playoffs after a 12-season absence. Their faith in Levi’s ability make it clear that he’s a top level Rookie of the Year candidate.

4. Adam Fantilli (Columbus Blue Jackets): He won the Hobey Baker Trophy as college hockey’s best player over Cooley. As a teenager, he didn’t look out of place in helping Canada win the gold medal at the World Championships last spring. He should be able to play among the Blue Jackets’ top six forwards this season. Fantilli is a difference-maker.

5. Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils): Hughes’ puck moving ability from the blue line could significantly benefit the Devils, who are among the NHL’s best skating teams. Hughes is a highly skilled defenseman.

6. Matthew Knies (Toronto Maple Leafs): He’s a full service forward: He has skill, plays physical and is mindful of his defensive responsibilities. Knies will find a place on Toronto’s Stanley Cup-contending team.

Do the Buffalo Sabres make the playoffs this season?

Place your prediction 🔮

☝️ Blue Jackets’ rookie Adam Fantilli scored his 1st preseason goal in 5-3 win over the Sabres. The left-handed Nobleton, Ontario native one-timed an Ivan Provorov pass through traffic midway through the 3rd period for the game-winner last night. Columbus drafted the 18-year-old center 3rd overall this summer after a monster 65-point freshman season at the University of Michigan last year. Read more →

A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT: ADAM FANTILLI SCORING HIS FIRST PRESEASON GOAL
@FanaticsBook | #CBJ
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL)
1:16 AM • Oct 5, 2023

💰 NHL salary cap is expected to increase to $87-$88 million next year. With the cap set at $83.5 million this season and the NHLPA expected to pay off their $1.5 billion escrow debt from the 2019-20 Covid-shortened season, NHL teams are projecting an extra $4-$4.5 million to spend on players next year. Gary Bettman concluded the meeting confidently:

"The state of the League is very strong. The game is in great shape. Our franchises have never been better owned or stronger, and we're excited to have the start of another season upon us."