The NHL is getting younger and younger as the years go on, and with the salary cap in place, teams need their younger players—specifically their rookies—to step up. The Calder Memorial Trophy is annually awarded to the league's top rookie. While we’ve seen quite a few rookies make an impact this season, we’re going to focus on three specific players who are the favorites to take home the honor of being forever known as a Calder Trophy winner. Check out the full odds on BetOnline.
Macklin Celebrini -325
The 2024 first overall pick had put up forty points by the time the NHL’s Four Nations Face Off tournament began. Macklin Celebrini is the current favorite to take home the league’s Rookie of the Year award for the 2024-25 season. In fact, he’s the only one with minus-money, and the Vancouver-born forward is in the mix for the most points among all rookies, despite missing over ten games this season.
His San Jose Sharks are going to once again be a lottery team and in contention for the first-overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft. There are some theories out there that should Calgary Flames netminder and fellow rookie Dustin Wolf lead his squad to the playoffs, he could swoop in for the Calder. That being said, it’s really Celebrini’s to lose because, clearly, Vegas isn’t giving any respect to our next option.
Lane Hutson +250
The Montreal Canadiens hit a home run when they selected former Boston University Terrier Lane Hutson in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Defenseman Lane Hutson has been electric for the Habs this season. He became the first rookie blueliner to record 40 assists in fewer than 60 contests since Red Wings legend Niklas Lidström, who did it during the 1991-92 season.
Hutson is in contention for a spot inside the top ten among all defensemen in scoring this season and has a better plus/minus than his fellow San Jose rookie. He is a large part of why the Canadiens are still in contention for the final Wild Card spot in the East, and despite what “Vegas says,” he should be considered a real threat for the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Matvei Michkov +600
Named “Rookie of the Month” for February, Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers is looking to be named Rookie of the Year come June. Just like Hutson’s Canadiens, Michkov and the Flyers are in the hunt for a Wild Card spot, and the Russian sniper is definitely a big reason for that.
The seventh overall pick from 2023 is second in points on the Flyers as he uses his creativity to rack up goals and points. He’ll finish the season with over 20 goals and 50 points, which is a solid guarantee for a rookie who has the best plus/minus of the trio of favorites for the Calder, despite averaging the least amount of time on ice.
2025 Calder Trophy Odds
- Macklin Celebrini (SJ) -325
- Lane Hutson (MON) +250
- Matvei Michkov (PHI) +600
- Dustin Wolf (CAL) +1600