The Calder Memorial Trophy watch is heating up, with three rookies making their cases for Rookie of the Year. Matthew Schaefer, Beckett Sennecke, and Ivan Demidov have all made their mark in 2025-26, but who will take home some hardware this season?
Matthew Schaefer Leading 2026 Calder Trophy Race For Islanders
The New York Islanders‘ success has been overshadowed by the crazy playoff races in both conferences, but the team wouldn’t be where it is without rookie Matthew Schaefer. He, 18, has been one of the league’s best defensemen in 2025-26 and seems to be the future of the Islanders.
The Hamilton, Ontario native’s 44 points stand for the second-most among Islanders skaters behind Mat Barzal (55), but that’s not even his most impressive statistic. The rookie has 20 goals to his name this season, tied with Zach Werenski for the second-most among all defensemen. That comparison just goes to show how well Schaefer is performing and how high his ceiling is, two things New York can look forward to in the years to come.
As of early March, Schaefer leads all rookies in goals and ranks in the top three in points among first-year players, making him the statistical favorite in the 2026 Calder Trophy race. The defenseman’s ability to impact a game at such a young age has given him a chance to probe why the Islanders selected him first overall last summer. Hopefully, fans of the game will get to see him experience playoff hockey in 2025-26, because there’s no doubt he’ll be ready for it given how he’s played so far.
Beckett Sennecke Playing Calder-Caliber Hockey In 2026
Perhaps one of the more underrated rookies this season, Beckett Sennecke has arrived on the scene in a big way for the Anaheim Ducks. The Toronto native has revamped the offense with the help of fellow young guns Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson, ushering in a new era of hockey for the franchise.
Given that the Ducks haven’t made the playoffs since 2018, their production this season has been a welcome surprise. Part of that effort comes from Sennecke’s play, as the 20-year-old has 49 points through 59 games in 2025-26; he’s tied for second most on the team with Carlsson.
Bringing your team back to the playoffs after a long postseason drought can bode well for some young players, an opportunity Anaheim hopes helps to inspire their young core. Sennecke seems to be part of the Ducks’ long-term plan, judging from year one, and he could very well help them win their second Stanley Cup in the near future. With what the rookie has accomplished already, the Calder Trophy would be a great way to top off a phenomenal season that might just end with some playoff experience.
Ivan Demidov’s 2026 Calder Campaign Part Of Montreal Canadiens’ Success
Although Ivan Demidov hasn’t gotten as much coverage as Schaefer or Sennecke, the Montreal Canadiens‘ rookie has been a huge part of their success in 2025-26. Montreal’s 2024 first-round pick is contributing at an impressive rate for being so young and has fit right into the team’s youthful approach.
Demidov, 20, has 47 points through 59 games played this season, marking the fourth-highest total among all Montreal skaters. The right-winger’s production cannot be understated in terms of how impactful he has been for the team, and it shows in how the Canadiens have played in 2025-26. Montreal currently holds the first Eastern Conference Wild Card spot and could make its second straight playoff appearance.
If Demidov were to win the Calder Trophy, he would join Lane Hutson as the most recent Canadiens player to win the award, with Hutson claiming the trophy in 2025. The success of both players at such a young age could signal the beginning of something special in Montreal, starting with the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
End Of My Calder Rant
Winning the Calder Trophy is no easy feat, and one special rookie will be adding their name to the list at the end of the season. There’s still a lot left to play for before we get to that point, but Schaefer, Sennecke, and Demidov have certainly proved their worth so far. Each of the rookies has changed their teams for the better in 2025-26, setting them up for long, successful careers in the NHL as long as they maintain their pace.
