No. 4: Matthew Knies: Calder Trophy
It’ll be hard to knock off Connor Bedard, as he’s clearly the front-runner for the 2023-24 Calder Trophy Award, but Knies is an unbelievable talent and will be put in a great situation that most rookies won’t have.
When you’re a top NHL draft pick, you’re usually placed on a terrible roster, which is in a rebuilding phase.
Knies, on the other hand, will have the opportunity to play on a Stanley Cup contending team with guys like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Tyler Bertuzzi every night.
In seven playoff games last year, Knies was very effective scoring one goal, while adding three assists and will only get better this year.
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Knies wasn’t intimidated by the opposition and could hold his own, which is one reason why I think he’s going to have a great 2023-24 season.
Bedard is a very small player, who will be awesome, but it could take a few months before he dominates, which may allow Knies to swoop in.
Knies already has a few NHL games under his belt, so he shouldn’t be nervous for the opportunity, but instead should seize the moment, especially based on who he’ll be playing alongside.
It’ll be hard to win the award, but I think he’ll be nominated at the end of the season and I’d be shocked if his stat-line didn’t look something like this: 25 goals and 58 points.