The NHL Calder Trophy tracker is back for the 2024-25 season, and this year's rookie group shows enormous promise. Here are 12 of the top candidates.

A fresh season means there are fresh faces in the NHL. The incoming rookie class is quite solid. There are some highly touted former college players, a handful of top 10 draft picks, and some of the most impressive goalie prospects in the game.

In last year's race for rookie of the year, Connor Bedard was the favorite from start to finish, but the emergence of Brock Faber made things highly entertaining as the season wore on. Faber started the season outside of the top 15 on the Calder Trophy Tracker.

Is there going to be another sleeper pick that makes a run at the Calder, or are the potential future NHL superstars atop the race going to run away with it? Check out some of the best rookies heading into the 2024-25 NHL season.

Matvei Michkov, LW, Philadelphia Flyers

Michkov's story was told a number of times this summer. The biggest knock on him in the NHL draft was his delayed arrival to North America and the worry he would stay in Russia, but Michkov and the Flyers managed to work some magic to get him a year earlier than his KHL deal was scheduled to expire. Now, we get to see Michkov take on the NHL.

Michkov's shot is as good as it comes for a 19-year-old, and he should be an immediate scoring threat because of it. When he’s been engaged and dialled into using his teammates, as he was in the pre-season, he is also a silky smooth playmaker. If he keeps his effort level up and brings the offensive skill he's always shown, the Calder might just be his to lose.

Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks

The No. 1 pick in this past June’s NHL draft, Macklin Celebrini is poised to step into the Sharks first-line center spot with the highly intelligent and skilled William Eklund and crafty veteran Tyler Toffoli on his wings. Celebrini was absolutely dominant in the NCAA last season. A step up to the NHL won’t be easy, but he will be given plenty of leash. Celebrini’s biggest strength is his shot, but the rest of his game is extremely well-rounded. He should be able to fit into the NHL lineup with ease.

Logan Stankoven, LW/RW, Dallas Stars

After playing in 24 games to end last season and providing much-needed depth in the playoffs, Stankoven is set up to succeed in his first full season in the NHL. Stankoven’s size at 5-foot-8 has always been a concern for NHL teams, but he’s continued to prove it means nothing with his drive, motor and relentless skill. Stankoven has a chance to challenge anyone for the Calder because not only is he nearly as skilled and tenacious as any rookie, but he will also benefit from having arguably the best supporting staff of any first-year NHL player.

Lane Hutson, D, Montreal Canadiens

Hutson has long been one of hockey's most intriguing prospects because of his fascinating level of puck skill, creativity and offensive intuition. He has a chance to be the most exciting player on the Montreal Canadiens despite their roster featuring first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky, high-level sniper Cole Caufield and, when he’s healthy, Patrik Laine. 

Hutson’s ability to pick apart opponents with his skating and skill, combined with his elite passing, will make him a headache for opposing defenses.

Cutter Gauthier, C/LW, Anaheim Ducks

After forcing his way out of Philadelphia, the fifth-overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft is set to play in the Ducks' top six with a plethora of young, talented forwards. Gauthier is a lethal shooter, whether it's at the faceoff dot on the power play, streaking down the wing on the rush or cleaning up the garbage around the net. The Ducks hope he can become an instant difference-maker alongside Leo Carlsson, the second-overall pick in 2023.

Yaroslav Askarov, G, San Jose Sharks

Although the Sharks assigned Askarov to the AHL after dealing with an injury through training camp, Askarov will likely be San Jose's goalie with the most NHL starts under his belt when the season ends. The uber-athletic and highly skilled netminder forced a trade out of Nashville because of Juuse Saros and Scott Wedgewood blocking his path, and he wound up in a fantastic situation where he can assert himself as an NHL starter while developing with the Sharks' young core.

Will Smith, C, San Jose Sharks

Speaking of the young talent in San Jose, Will Smith is slated as the second-line center behind Celebrini. He may find himself on the wing at times, but Smith will be one of the team’s best playmakers regardless of where he plays on offense. His creativity and passing are exceptional. They helped him lead the NCAA in scoring, outscoring Celebrini and Gauthier. Smith’s play style will likely hit a few bumps in the road, but his offensive potential is massive.

Dustin Wolf, G, Calgary Flames

Wolf managed to become one of the best goalies in every league he's played in to this point. While that likely won’t happen in the NHL in his first full season, Wolf is set to become a big piece of the Flames' puzzle. 

He should have ample opportunity to showcase just how much of a difference-maker he can be. He’s incredibly technically skilled, and despite his size at six-foot, Wolf always seems to make the save when the team needs it. Wolf has a chance to skyrocket up this list.

Rutger McGroarty, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins

After a contentious end to his relationship with the Winnipeg Jets, which drafted him, McGroarty got his trade out of town and ended up in a nearly perfect spot with Pittsburgh. The charismatic American left winger steps up in the biggest moments, but he’s never really been a play-driver on his own. He’s a high-level complementary player who could be a perfect fit next to one of Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Makin. If he gets that chance, he could be near the top of the NHL's rookie scoring list.

Marat Khusnutdinov, C/LW, Minnesota Wild

When Khusnutdinov came over to the Wild from Russia late last season, he looked great in the NHL. Although his scoring wasn’t through the roof, Khusnutdinov provided plenty of two-way help, and he showed with his speed that he can play up and down the lineup. 

If Khusnutdinov is plastered to the bottom six, he may not be able to score enough to move up this list, but if he gets his chance in the top six, Khusnutdinov could be a sneaky riser the way teammate Faber was last year.

Samuel Honzek, LW, Calgary Flames

Honzek impressed throughout training camp and looked fantastic in the pre-season to become a surprise addition to the Flames' lineup. He'll get to play in the Flames' top six and showcase his playmaking with their best players. Although the Flames are poised to have a rough year, Honzek could be a bright spot like Connor Zary was last year.

Arturs Silovs, G, Vancouver Canucks

Building off his impressive showing in the playoffs, Silovs will again be asked to hold down the fort while starter Thatcher Demko is out of the lineup. With the Demko situation seeming to have constantly changing timelines, the Canucks could lean on Silovs quite a bit this season. If he can continue the strong play he showed in the playoffs, he could quickly move up this list. That said, while Silovs has the strongest track record of anyone on this list, his pedigree isn’t quite at the same level as the goalies ahead of him. Will he kick pedigree to the curb and show out early in the season? That likely determines his Calder case.

Honorable Mentions: Jesper Wallstedt (G, MIN), Calum Ricthie (C/RW, COL), Jiri Kulich (C/LW, BUF), Maxim Tsyplakov (LW/RW, NYI), Nikolai Kovalenko (LW/RW, COL), Ivan Miroshnichenko (LW, WSH), Oliver Kapanen (C, MTL), Jett Luchanko (C, PHI), Conor Geekie (C/LW, TBL), Seamus Casey (D, NJD), Tristan Luneau (D, ANA)

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