With the Philadelphia Flyers reportedly signing 2023 7th-overall pick Matvei Michkov, San Jose Sharks rookies Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini have a new competitor in the race to win the Calder Trophy.
With the Philadelphia Flyers reportedly signing 2023 7th-overall pick Matvei Michkov, San Jose Sharks rookies Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini have a new competitor in the race to win the Calder Trophy.
With the Philadelphia Flyers reportedly signing 2023 7th-overall pick Matvei Michkov, San Jose Sharks rookies Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini have a new competitor in the race to win the Calder Trophy.
Michkov was a highly debated pick in 2023 as he still had three years left on his contract in the KHL, but reports today say that he has terminated that deal and is signing in the NHL.
Michkov, who was on loan from SKA St. Petersburg, scored 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) while playing for HK Sochi.
The Sharks had the 4th pick in last season's draft and went on to select Boston College forward Will Smith. Smith has signed his entry-level contract and will play in the NHL this season. While it isn't official, the Sharks will select Macklin Celebrini first overall.
With these three players alone, the race for the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year would be great, but the rest of the league is providing solid options. Smith's teammate at BC, Cutter Gauthier, who the Flyers traded to the Anaheim Ducks, will be in contention for the award.
Last season, Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard ran away with the public opinion for who should win the Calder. Although he hasn't officially won it yet, only Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber put up a strong case against Bedard.
Barring injuries, there are many options this season, and if Celebrini decides to leave Boston University, then the 2024-25 Calder Trophy race could be one of the greatest the NHL has ever seen.
The young talent across the NHL is growing, and now, they will take center stage in the race to determine who the best rookie in the NHL is.
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