The younger stars had been vivid within the 2026 NHL season, however three gamers rose above the remainder within the race for the Calder Trophy.
Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens, Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders and Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks had been introduced as finalists for the NHL’s rookie of the 12 months award throughout Tuesday’s broadcast of the NHL Draft Lottery.
Demidov, 20, led all rookies in scoring this season with 62 factors, together with 19 targets, to assist the Canadiens attain the playoffs for the second consecutive season. He led all rookies with 43 assists and 20 power-play factors whereas showing in all 82 video games. Demidov is trying to be the second consecutive Canadiens participant to win the Calder Trophy after Lane Hutson captured the award in 2025.
Schaefer, 18, was the No. 1 decide in final 12 months’s NHL Draft and rewrote the historical past books in his rookie season. His 59 factors in 82 video games is probably the most ever by an 18-year-old rookie defenceman and he was the primary defenceman in additional than 90 years to guide all rookies in targets, with 23. Schaefer is trying to develop into the sixth Islanders participant to win the Calder Trophy and the youngest winner in NHL historical past, at 18 years and 223 days, in the future youthful than Nathan MacKinnon was when he gained the award in 2014.
Sennecke, 20, tied with Schaefer with 23 targets for many by all rookies, to assist the Geese return to the playoffs. He completed the season with 60 factors whereas showing in all 82 video games. He has an opportunity to be the primary Geese participant to win the Calder.