Five NHL rookies with something to prove in 2023-24

The 2023-24 NHL rookie class projects to be absolutely loaded. With the likes of Connor Bedard, Logan Cooley, Adam Fantilli, Luke Hughes, and many more rookies expected to have big first years, I thought it would be fun to take a look at five rookies who have something to prove to their clubs. Which freshmen will be under the microscope?

Matthew Knies, 20, Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Matthew Knies got a sample of the National Hockey League last season when he appeared in three regular-season games and seven playoff contests, collecting one goal and three assists. Knies will now battle for a full-time roster spot among other youngsters in the Leafs system, like 22-year-old, injury-plagued Nick Robertson. With Knies healthy and keen to make the leap to a full-time position, this is his chance to do so. 

The 20-year-old collected 21 goals and 21 assists for the University of Minnesota; he was named the NCAA B1G Player of the Year, named to the NCAA West First All-Star Team and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist. After his performance during the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which saw Knies take regular shifts during overtime periods, it almost seems certain he will be a roster lock. 

Knies really distinguished himself with his size and was constantly able to create turnovers on the forecheck; a team can never have enough players who can create time and space down low. With that, Knies will need to continue to earn the trust of head coach Sheldon Keefe and new general manager Brad Treliving. The Phoenix, Arizona product has been skating on a line throughout training camp with John Tavares and Sam Lafferty, a good indication of the future.

Brandt Clarke, 20, Los Angeles Kings

The L.A. Kings’ young blueline prodigy Brandt Clarke looks to have a big impactful season down in California. Clarke was selected No. 8 overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. He appeared in nine games last season with the Kings, where he tallied two assists. The Kings returned Clarke to the Barrie Colts of the OHL, where he massacred the league and notched 61 points in 31 games. He finished fourth among OHL defensemen in goals and fifth in points despite playing only half a season. 

It truly is only a matter of time before Clarke is maneuvering around like a highlight-reel machine on the ice. He also appeared in five games with the Ontario Reign of the AHL on a conditioning assignment, where he collected one goal and one assist. The Kings made some changes to their blueline this offseason, trading Sean Walker and Sean Druzi. Their departures open up room for the 20-year-old to slot in and establish himself as a young elite defender. With Drew Doughty aging, Clarke is the perfect replacement to become the Kings’ new powerplay merchant.

“He’s one of those kids who loves playing hockey, every second of it,” said Kings director of amateur scouting Mark Yannetti. “Every time he goes on the ice, instead of pouting, he’s like, ‘I’m going to score.’ I’ve never seen a kid come back to junior when he arguably has a legitimate case to be on the NHL team and do what he has done.”

Shane Wright, 19, Seattle Kraken

After falling out of the top three in the 2022 NHL Draft, Seattle Kraken prospect Shane Wright must prove he is the real deal and ready for the NHL. Wright spent the 2022-23 campaign split between the Kraken, the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL and the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. The Burlington, Ontario product appeared in eight games, with the Kraken registering two points. He was scratched for five straight games before being re-assigned to the Firebirds, where he registered four points in five AHL games; then, in the rollercoaster of a year it was, he rejoined the Kraken for one game before being re-assigned to Canada’s World Junior squad.

Following the World Juniors, Wright was then sent back to the OHL, where the Windsor Spitfires acquired his rights. He notched 37 points in 20 games and three points in eight OHL Playoff contests. Wright then re-joined the Firebirds for their 2023 Calder Cup run, where he tallied nine points in 24 games. Now, the NHL and CHL made an agreement on Wright, indicating if he doesn’t make the Kraken’s opening night roster, he does not have to return to juniors and, therefore, can play a full season with Coachella Valley. This is a big year for Wright, who was at one point considered the bonafide No. 1 overall pick at the 2022 Draft; this is his revenge year.

Marco Rossi, 22, Minnesota Wild

Marco Rossi was selected by the Minnesota Wild No. 9 overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. The two-way phenom dominated the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in his draft year, registering 39 goals and 81 assists for 120 points in 56 games. He also added an additional 22 points during the Ottawa 67’s playoff run. Rossi was awarded the OHL’s Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player, as well as the OHL Top Scorer award and the Eddie Power Trophy for OHL’s Most Points. Rossi’s major junior dominance earned him an entry-level contract in October of 2020.

But since then, Rossi has struggled in his development path, and that primarily has to do with a medical battle with Myocarditis that sidelined him for nearly the entire 2020-21 season. Rossi has continued to bounce up and down between the Wild and their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. During the 2022-23 campaign, he appeared in 19 games with Minnesota, collecting just one assist before being healthy scratched for four straight games and re-assigned to Iowa. While down in Iowa, he notched 16 goals and 35 assists for 51 points in 53 games, he was second among Wild leaders.  In two seasons with Iowa, Rossi amassed 34 goals and 70 points in 116 games. There is a lot of hope among the Wild staff that Rossi can crack the opening night roster and play out a full season in the NHL this year. If he can stay healthy, this is his year to prove he belongs in the NHL.

Dustin Wolf, 22, Calgary Flames

22-year-old Calgary Flames goaltending prospect Dustin Wolf has established himself as one of the top elite young goalies coming up. During the 2022-23 season with the Flames AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, Wolf put together a 42-10-2 record and .932 save percentage in 55 appearances. His stellar performance earned him the AHL Best Goaltender Award for a second consecutive season, as well as the AHL Most Valuable Player Award. Wolf led all AHL goalies in wins, save percentage, goals-against average and seven shutouts. With back-to-back seasons dominating the AHL, it’s about time Wolf gets the callup to backstop Flames starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

Wolf’s dominant reign isn’t new either; it has been going on for years. While he was with the Everett Silvertips in the WHL, he captured the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award and the WHL Top Goaltender Award in 2019-20 after posting a .935 save percentage. The following season, he once again was named the WHL Top Goaltender and helped Team USA capture a gold medal at the World Juniors. But with Dan Vladar currently holding the backup position, Wolf has had to battle throughout training camp and preseason to secure a spot. He appeared in one game with the Flames last season, earning a victory and allowing just one goal. The rising star is ready for a full-time gig. When he does get his chance, he’ll be on a mission to establish himself as Calgary’s future No. 1. But for now: he’s blocked. Flames GM Craig Conroy indicated this week that Wolf will have to start the season in the AHL unless they find a trade avenue for Vladar. It’s difficult to imagine Wolf spending another entire season in the minors, though. His time is coming.