*Note: Stats courtesy of Frozen Tools (of course!)

One of the most exciting award races in hockey is that of the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s rookie of the year. Furthermore, the 2027 rookie class is a loaded one. First-year players can often end up falling into the later rounds of drafts or become mid-season free agent pickups in fantasy leagues. However, the value of these youngsters can’t be understated as they can often help push teams into fantasy contention.

While it’s still unclear which rookies will be making the big clubs out of camp, we can still take a crack at ranking them based on their projected fantasy impact. Let’s take a look at the Top 10 Fantasy Calder Candidates of 2026-27.

HM’s: Michael Hage (Montreal Canadiens), Jacob Fowler (Montreal Canadiens), Victor Eklund (New York Islanders), Brady Martin (Nashville Predators), Carter Yakemchuk (Ottawa Senators), Sebastian Cossa (Utah Mammoth), Tij Iginla (Utah Mammoth), David Reinbacher (Montreal Canadiens), Roman Kantserov (Chicago Blackhawks)

(Note: If Montreal convinces Michael Hage to change his mind and make the jump to the NHL, he would find himself amongst the top 10 candidates.)

10. Bradley Nadeau, RW, Carolina Hurricanes

With Seth Jarvis out long-term, a spot in the Hurricanes top six has opened up, and Bradley Nadeau is long overdue for an opportunity. The youngster has dominated the last two seasons in the AHL and deserves the chance to make the jump to the next level. There are definitely worse places to begin your NHL career than on the defending Cup champs.

9. Viggo Bjorck, C, Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets have been searching for a second-line centreman for the last few seasons as the lack of depth scoring has consistently been the team’s downfall. This could lead Viggo Bjorck to make the jump to the NHL immediately. Bjorck is one of the most NHL-ready players after spending last season in Sweden, where he posted fantastic numbers. With solid minutes in Winnipeg this season, the Jets 8th overall pick could be an underdog choice for the Calder next season.

8. Ilya Protas, C, Washington Capitals

Alongside his brother Aliaksei and Tom Wilson, Ilya Protas helped form one of the biggest lines in the NHL at the end of last season. The 6’6 forward had a major impact in his short stint in the NHL. The Washington Capitals were the most active team in the offseason as they added several key pieces up front. This makes it unclear where Ilya will play to begin next season, but if his short stint at the end of the year was any indication, he will still be a key component of the Capitals playoff aspirations.

7. James Hagens, C, Boston Bruins

The Bruins are one of the weakest teams down the middle heading into next season, which makes it almost certain that former top-10 pick James Hagens will be making the jump to the NHL. He was at one point projected to be the number one pick in his draft year before falling to Boston at seven. Hagens is an elite playmaker and the opportunity to slot in between an elite goal scorer like David Pastrnak or Morgan Geekie could give him an edge in the Calder race. It also makes him an intriguing late round target in fantasy.

6. Konsta Helenius, C, Buffalo Sabres

Helenius is an underrated name amongst an elite rookie class, but fans in Buffalo know just how good the 20-year-old is. He had four points in his first nine games last season as well as two goals in four playoff contests. He is poised to slot into a top-nine role down the middle for the Sabres and pick up right where he left off. Buffalo’s young core is ready to take another step forward, and Konsta Helenius will be a big piece of the puzzle.

5. Anton Frondell, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Former third-overall pick Anton Frondell found immediate success last season during his first stint in Chicago. He was drafted as a centreman but played alongside Connor Bedard on the wing. With the Blackhawks star forward slated to miss the start of the campaign, it will be interesting to see where Frondell plays. Either way, he is one of the most talented players in this class and should be productive out of the gate for fantasy managers.

4. Cole Hutson, D, Washington Capitals

Much like his brother Lane, Cole Hutson had no issue finding ways to produce at the NHL level. It’s hard to expect him to live up to his older sibling, but Cole has the ability to be an offensive dynamo in his own right. With John Carlson now in Tampa Bay, Hutson should see lots of minutes on the Capitals right side. Not to mention he is likely a shoo-in to be the powerplay quarterback on a group that’s added some interesting pieces to the mix.

3. Porter Martone, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

No player in this rookie class has had the impact that Porter Martone already has in the NHL. After joining Philadelphia for their playoff push, Martone found immediate success and was a key difference-maker in the team ultimately qualifying for the postseason. Furthermore, he managed to ride that momentum and help the Flyers upset Pittsburgh in the first round. Now, he looks to continue that success in 2026-27. He should be a fantasy target for all managers in the late rounds.

2. Ivar Stenberg, LW, San Jose Sharks

This year’s second overall selection Ivar Stenberg, comes in at number two on this list. Stenberg is an elite, potentially franchise-altering player for an already enviable young core in San Jose. The thought of him playing alongside Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Michael Misa next season should have Sharks fans salivating. He arguably could be number one in this ranking but ultimately fell just short of our next player.

1.Gavin McKenna, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

After being selected first overall by the Maple Leafs and awkwardly, Justin Bieber, Gavin McKenna comes in at number one on this list. McKenna had a tough early transition to the NCAA but ultimately adapted and dominated in the second half of the year. It’s hard to say that it’ll be a seamless jump to the NHL, but McKenna is an elite talent who will learn to adapt his game to the pro level over time. He likely slots in alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander, which should make life easier in his first season. He will look to use his playmaking ability to replace Mitch Marner as Matthews set-up man, and help him return to a Rocket Richard caliber level of play.

*For more hockey and fantasy coverage, follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @Cdesjardins67