Could Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson sneak into the Calder Trophy conversation?

As Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote Friday, Carlsson is a highly underrated prospect, despite his draft status.

“Part of that boils down to the market he plays in, which is out of Carlsson’s control,” Ellis opined of the player who scored in his NHL debut Thursday. “He doesn’t have the flashy aspect to his game that saw Bedard become the top prospect in the world. He also didn’t have one of the best college freshman seasons to his name, either.

“Instead, Carlsson played an effective two-way game against men in one of the best pro leagues in the world – and thrived. He deserves your respect.”

Ellis describes Carlsson as a player who “plays a strong power-forward game, using his frame and overall strength to win puck battles,” and that he has “a cannon of a release.”

To me, that sounds a lot like a player Oilers fans know well: Leon Draisaitl.

Nonetheless, the road for Carlsson to be a Calder winner could be an arduous one. In Ellis’ eyes, however, “it’s Bedard’s Trophy to lose.”

“And while he’s showing some incredible signs, he’s not producing at an extreme rate or anything yet,” he said of Bedard. “Once Carlsson gets adjusted, you should expect results as long as he sticks with Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry.

“He’s such a fascinating forward in today’s NHL, where speed and skill are king. Mix Carlsson’s quick stride with his physicality, and you’ve got one heck of a force.

“Don’t sleep on Carlsson. He’s going to surprise you.”