Misryoum reports three standout rookies are finalists for the Calder Trophy: Demidov, Schaefer, and Sennecke.
A trio of rookie standouts has emerged as the faces of the NHL’s Calder Trophy race, with Misryoum confirming finalists including Canadiens forward Demidov.
Demidov, 20, produced an eye-catching all-around rookie campaign for Montreal, leading all first-year players in scoring with 62 points.. His output featured 19 goals and a pace of 43 assists, adding 20 power-play points along the way.. He also appeared in all 82 games. a consistency that helped keep the Canadiens in rhythm as they pushed into the playoffs for a second straight season.. With Lane Hutson having won the Calder in 2025. the possibility of another Montreal rookie taking the hardware adds extra weight to Demidov’s nomination.
Calder Trophy attention often follows the game-to-game momentum rookies bring, and in Demidov’s case, the combination of playmaking, finishing and durability is exactly what turns a good season into a campaign.
Meanwhile, the spotlight also rests on Islanders defenceman Schaefer, who arrived with top billing after being selected No.. 1 in last year’s NHL Draft.. At just 18, he posted 59 points in 82 games and set a remarkable marker for his position.. Misryoum notes he led all rookies in goals for his class with 23. while his total has him tied to a rare historical distinction for an 18-year-old defender.. If he wins. he would become the sixth Calder winner in Islanders franchise history and. at 18 years and 223 days. would take aim at the league’s youngest winner record.
That mix of draft pedigree and immediate impact matters because it suggests Schaefer did not need a transition period to settle in, instead forcing attention on both ends.
Sennecke, 20, completes the finalist group after another high-output rookie season for the Ducks.. Misryoum reports the forward tied with Schaefer with 23 rookie goals, the most in the NHL rookie ranks by that measure.. He finished with 60 points and. like Demidov and Schaefer. played all 82 games. helping keep Anaheim’s season pointed toward a playoff return.. A Calder win would also mark a first for the franchise in the award’s history.
For rookies, the Calder is rarely just about raw numbers. It often reflects the way a player helped shape team results, and all three finalists came paired with meaningful contributions to playoff-bound seasons.
With the Calder Trophy set to be decided, Misryoum will be watching how voters weigh different kinds of impact: Demidov’s forward production and power-play influence, Schaefer’s goal scoring from the blue line, and Sennecke’s finishing touch alongside a season-long workload.