NHL prospects to watch at the Rookie Faceoff this weekend

Before the NHL preseason kicks off later this month, fans can catch a glimpse of some of the most promising young Kings, Ducks and other prospects at this weekend’s Rookie Faceoff tournament in El Segundo, which will run from Sept. 13-16.

The Kings will headline Friday and Saturday’s slate of games with many of their top prospects competing against those of Vegas and Utah in a pair of 7 p.m. affairs. The Ducks will be in action at 3:30 p.m. Friday against Colorado and against San Jose at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, before they and the Kings square off to close the tournament at 3:30 p.m. Monday. Each match will be streamed online.

In all, 10 games will take place across four days, and, with that, here are 10 players to watch in the tourney.

CUTTER GAUTHIER, FORWARD, DUCKS

Even though he didn’t make his NHL debut until the final game of 2023-24, Gauthier’s midseason acquisition was a ray of light permeating another campaign in the basement for the Ducks. He’s one of the five players with the shortest odds at the Calder Trophy, three of whom will compete in this tournament.

BRANDT CLARKE, DEFENSEMAN, KINGS

Clarke’s long wait to become a regular appeared to finally be over when Matt Roy signed with the Washington Capitals. Before the 2021 lottery pick logs 82-ish games as an aspiring star, he will be in a leadership role in this tournament, which mostly features less experienced prospects, something Clarke has embraced.

MACKLIN CELEBRINI, CENTER, SAN JOSE

Celebrini was the No. 1 overall pick in June’s entry draft, and now arrives with high expectations as another short-list Calder contender. Celebrini was dominant at the NCAA level and was the consensus top selection, offering the NHL’s worst team last season a glimmer of hope amid a storm of losses and salary-cap entanglements.

WILL SMITH, FORWARD, SAN JOSE

Smith was the Sharks’ top selection a year prior, though he spent last season at Boston College as Boston University standout Celebrini’s rival and Gauthier’s teammate. Now, those roles will be reversed as Smith, another short-odds bet for rookie of the year, sets out on his NHL journey.

SHANE WRIGHT, CENTER, SEATTLE

Like Clarke, Wright had taken a measured path in his development and impressed during a short stint at the top level later in last season. Once considered a surefire No. 1 overall pick, he slipped to No. 4 in 2022, when Juraj Slafkovsky leapfrogged him. Slafkovsky signed a long-term extension already, while Wright should secure a full-time roster spot in 2024-25.

TIJ IGINLA, FORWARD, UTAH

The son of former Kings winger and Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, the younger Iginla plays an energetic and detail-focused game that made him the first pick in Utah franchise history. The artists formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes were attracted to his pedigree, skill and work ethic alike.

BERKLY CATTON, CENTER, SEATTLE

The youngest player to place in the top five in points in the Western Hockey League last season, Catton blends creativity and technique to consternate defenders while handling the puck, distributing it or letting it rip with his diverse array of releases. He was a lottery pick in June for the Kraken.

LIAM GREENTREE, WINGER, KINGS

The Kings were ecstatic to have landed Greentree at No. 26 overall this summer, anticipating that his skating will improve to round out what’s already a game with many alluring facets. He will almost undoubtedly continue his junior career this season, with this tournament offering yet another taste of what he may bring to the organization.

TRISTAN LUNEAU, DEFENSEMAN, DUCKS

Luneau rapidly gained the confidence of both Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek and Ducks coach Greg Cronin, who described Luneau in equestrian terms like “stallion” and “thoroughbred.” Unfortunately, he spent much of last season in the stable due to an infection, though he should be rearing to go on the right side this year.

ERIK PORTILLO, GOALIE, KINGS

With the ink still fresh on his three-year contract extension, Portillo will be between the pipes this weekend. The Swede turned NCAA star made a smooth transition to the minor-pro level last season and could be the long-term answer to the Kings’ oh-so-persistent question in net.