Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.
This week, we’re diving into the Calder Memorial Trophy race, awarded annually to the NHL’s most outstanding rookie. Past winners include fantasy stars like Cale Makar, Kirill Kaprizov, and most recently Lane Hutson. For fantasy managers, tracking Calder candidates is a way to identify not only who has the skill, but also who has the opportunity to become an impact contributor.
Below are the top names in the 2025–26 Calder conversation, ranked by their likelihood to claim the award.
1. Ivan Demidov, RW – Montreal Canadiens
Demidov enters 2025–26 as the Calder favorite, carrying both pedigree and opportunity. His production in the KHL against top competition proved he can thrive at the highest levels, and he has already looked comfortable in early NHL action. Montreal has integrated youth effectively in recent years, Hutson being the prime example, and Demidov should step straight into a top-six role while seeing heavy power-play usage. That combination makes him almost certain to pile up points from day one.
From a projection standpoint, Demidov’s Hockey Prospecting card all but confirms his stardom. His comparables are filled with Hall of Famers and current NHL superstars, and few rookies in recent memory have blended elite skill with such a clear path to opportunity. Frankly, it would be a surprise if anyone else came away with the Calder.
2. Zayne Parekh, D – Calgary Flames
Parekh enters the league as one of the most dynamic defense prospects in years. His 96-point OHL season with the Saginaw Spirit showcased elite offensive instincts, and he wasted no time making an impression in Calgary, scoring in his NHL debut. Confident with the puck and aggressive in the offensive zone, he projects as a power-play quarterback almost immediately.
The biggest question is deployment. Calgary has MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson ahead of him, which could limit top-unit opportunities. Still, his ceiling is underscored by his sky-high pNHLe projection via Mason Black’s Rank King application. If Parekh proves defensively reliable enough to secure prime minutes, he could quickly become one of the most impactful rookie blueliners in recent memory, even outpacing Hutson from last season.
3. Jimmy Snuggerud, F – St. Louis Blues
Snuggerud’s shooter’s mentality could be exactly what the Blues need. In his late-season audition, he played alongside Robert Thomas and exhibited immediate chemistry, consistently finding soft spots while Thomas fed him pucks. In that stretch, Snuggerud posted the sixth-highest expected goals per 60 among Blues forwards, proving he can generate offense at an NHL level.
If he spends most of the season on Thomas’s wing, Snuggerud could easily finish as a Calder finalist. Power-play time would only raise his ceiling further. His Fantasy Hockey Life card highlights strong blocks, shots, and hits, giving him a solid peripheral floor.
4. Alexander Nikishin, D – Carolina Hurricanes
Nikishin brings a rare mix of size, mobility, and offense that makes him one of the most intriguing rookie defensemen in years. He logged heavy minutes in the KHL against veteran competition, which gives him maturity and polish well beyond most rookies.
For fantasy, Nikishin’s profile is especially attractive. His Fantasy Hockey Life card projects him as elite in blocks, shots, and hits, which provides a high peripheral floor even if offensive totals lag. Carolina’s depth and Shayne Gostisbehere‘s presence on the top power play may cap his ceiling, but if Nikishin carves out consistent special-teams usage, he could emerge as a legitimate Calder contender.
5. Ryan Leonard, F – Washington Capitals
Leonard’s competitiveness and willingness to drive play through the middle of the ice make him stand out. Washington’s depth could initially relegate him to the middle six, but if he sneaks into the top six, particularly if injuries strike, his production could rise quickly.
Leonard’s Fantasy Hockey Life card is eye-popping: his blocks, shots, and hits at the NCAA level ranked in the 98th percentile. That multi-category profile ensures value even if scoring is inconsistent. He may not match Demidov’s pure offensive ceiling, but he could be one of the most useful rookies in fantasy given his combination of grit and production.
6. Isaac Howard, F – Edmonton Oilers
Howard arrives in Edmonton after parting ways with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he lacked a clear role. With the Oilers, he appears poised for top-six opportunities, something Tampa couldn’t offer. His knack for finding space in the offensive zone and his finishing ability give him a shot at carving out a meaningful role.
The challenge, of course, is Edmonton’s deep forward group. Even so, Howard’s scoring touch and improved compete level, particularly his puck recovery and battle work, suggest he could surprise. His peripherals aren’t stellar, but they are stronger than fellow rookie Matthew Savoie‘s. Howard is best viewed as a dynasty target and a redraft watchlist player who could surge if given steady top-six minutes.
7. Michael Misa, F – San Jose Sharks
Misa’s dominance in the OHL earned him the second-overall pick in 2024, and his skill set should translate quickly. He blends elite skating, vision, and playmaking, and like Celebrini, his game is already mature in all three zones. His goal is to stick with San Jose all season, and his maturity gives him a good shot to do so.
Because Misa is AHL ineligible, it will be NHL or junior for him in 2025-26. After three OHL seasons, including gaining exceptional status to debut at the age of 15, he has little left to prove at that level. The most likely outcome is a rookie year that mixes productive stretches with San Jose’s young forwards and time in the press box, similar to Will Smith‘s path. That usage could hold back his Calder bid, but if he earns a scoring line role and finds chemistry, his long-term fantasy ceiling is enormous.
8. Matthew Savoie, F – Edmonton Oilers
Savoie brings speed and creativity that could help him earn a foothold in Edmonton’s middle six. He produced 54 points in 66 AHL games, proving that his offense can translate at the professional level, at least in the AHL. The question is whether he can find the same success against NHL competition, where he will face tougher defensive matchups and a crowded forward group.
(Note: zero percent does not mean he didn’t do anything, it means there is no data)
Underlying metrics raise some caution, his AHL production was strong, but not fully supported by his underlying shot quality and play-driving. Combined with a low peripheral floor, that limits his immediate fantasy appeal. Still, his talent and opportunity to play alongside McDavid or Draisaitl makes him a Calder Candidate.
Ivan Demidov is the clear Calder favorite, but this rookie class is unusually deep. Parekh and Nikishin could make waves from the blue line and either Howard or Savoie could catch fire with the elite forwards in Edmonton. For fantasy managers, the lesson is to track not just skill but deployment. Ice time and special-teams usage will determine who emerges as the top rookie of 2025–26.
Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more fantasy hockey analysis, or if there’s a prospect, topic, or theme you’d like me to cover, follow and message me on X: https://x.com/VictorNuno12