Top five NHL rookies to watch during training camp

Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

NHL training camps kicked off around the NHL this week, signaling the official start of the 2023-24 season.

It’s the first chance to see new faces in new places, and it keeps fans occupied for the time being – overanalyzing every line change and video clip that becomes public. There’s so much you can take out of training camp – and at the same time, so little.

But for prospects, many of whom are taking part in camp for the first time, it’s a chance to prove yourself. Nothing is given in the NHL, and a bad camp can put you behind the eight-ball early.

There’s pressure on young players to perform, including the high-profile prospects that many expect to be top-six players nearly immediately. Whether it be due to tough competition in the system or a reason for a player to prove themself, here’s a look at five players to watch in training camp over the next few weeks:

Matt Coronato, RW (Calgary Flames)

It was a season to remember for Coronato, who recorded his second consecutive 36-point campaign with Harvard. The Flames have shown a willingness to select smaller forwards, but former coach Darryl Sutter seemed uninterested in giving them a shot. Will that change under new coach Ryan Huska? It should, because the 5-foot-10 Coronato is going to be dangerous. By all accounts, Coronato should be part of the much-needed youth movement in Calgary and potentially find himself in a top-six role. He’d fit in nicely alongside Nazem Kadri on Calgary’s second line, that’s for sure.

Shane Wright, C (Seattle Kraken)

Wright had a difficult 2023-24 season, bouncing around the NHL, AHL and OHL. After barely seeing any ice time in Seattle, he played some good hockey in Coachella Valley before helping Canada win gold at the world juniors. Expectations are high for Wright, whom many expected to go first overall in 2022. If Wright is going to stick at center, he’ll have to find a way to beat out Yanni Gourde or Pierre-Edouard Bellemare for one of the bottom-six spots. That won’t come easy, especially with the Kraken again looking like a real contender this year. The good news? Wright will be able to join the Firebirds again if he doesn’t crack the NHL roster.

Matthew Knies, LW (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Maple Leafs added some key winger depth over the summer, adding Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi via free agency. While Domi could move to the right wing, Knies skated on Toronto’s second line during the first day of training camp alongside John Tavares and Sam Lafferty. With William Nylander starting camp at center, Domi could move to the right side, giving Knies a clear shot at the top six. It’s also worth noting that Knies and Pontus Holmberg are the only waiver-exempt forwards on Toronto’s main roster. Could that matter when they need to cut salaries in a few weeks?

Brandt Clarke, D (Los Angeles Kings)

Clarke got his first taste of NHL action last season, skating in nine games before getting sent down for a five-game AHL conditioning stint. There wasn’t room for him to stick around in Los Angeles, but getting that experience still made more sense than dominating the OHL all year. He’d go back to Barrie, but not before helping Canada win gold at the world juniors. From there, Clarke was one of the most dominant players in the league, scoring 23 goals and 61 points in 31 regular season games and 23 points in 12 playoff games. His numbers would be great for a defenseman over an entire season, but to do it in half? That shows how good he is with the puck. He’ll fight for a spot on the Kings out of camp, but time in Ontario wouldn’t hurt, either.

Simon Nemec, D (New Jersey Devils)

The 2022-23 season was all about adjusting to life in North America. Nemec lived independently, bought his own car, cooked for himself and gained some independence. It’s a lot to ask for an 18-year-old to move halfway across the world to an unknown place, travel on buses and fight for every opportunity. But he made the most of it, finishing the year with 12 goals and 34 points in 65 games. That put him fifth among U-20 AHLers and second behind Cleveland’s David Jiricek (38 points) among junior-aged defenders. The Devils are looking at a top four of Jonas Siegenthaler, Dougie Hamilton, John Marino and Luke Hughes. Kevin Bahl will likely line up on the left side of the bottom pairing, and then there are veterans Colin Miller and Brendan Smith for the final spot. There’s no doubt that Nemec could handle that gig, but could the Devils elect to take a more patient route?

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