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NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Flyers' Michkov, Sharks' Smith Lead Best Of The Rest
This year’s NHL rookie class is giving hockey fans a thrilling Calder Trophy race.
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf solidified themselves as the likely finalists for the award, despite some very impressive seasons from other freshman NHLers. We ranked that trio last month, but the rest of the class deserves some attention this time.
Let’s take a look, in no particular order, at the rest of the rookie class for the 2024-25 NHL season.
Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
67 games, 20 goals, 27 assists, 47 points
Michkov is exactly what the Flyers hoped for. He’s been an offensive dynamo with improved two-way efforts despite some inconsistent moments throughout the year. The relationship with coach John Tortorella has been about as good as they could have hoped, with some tough love.
Michkov has shown some really impressive moments of relentless off-puck play to blend with his elite skill. Only Celebrini has scored more goals this season among the rookie crop, with 21.
Despite Appearances, Tortorella Loves Coaching Flyers Rookie StandoutIf you’ve watched the Philadelphia Flyers this season, you wouldn’t be faulted for believing that John Tortorella has had a miserable time coaching rookie Matvei Michkov.
Cutter Gauthier, LW, Anaheim Ducks
68 games, 13 goals, 21 assists, 34 points
Gauthier hit his stride in the second half of the season. He’s tied with Will Smith and Huston for the lead in rookie scoring since the 4 Nations Face-Off, with 12 points in 14 games.
Gauthier began to adapt to the pace of the NHL game, and he’s ascended the lineup for the Ducks as of late. The Philadelphia Flyers’ fifth-overall pick in 2022, whose trade request was granted last year, is a heavy shooter who could be a sneaky good breakout candidate for next season. He will likely reach a 40-point rookie campaign.
Will Smith, C, San Jose Sharks
60 games, 13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points
Smith has always been known for his dynamic playmaking, and it’s starting to show up in the NHL. He’s also tied for second among rookies in goals since the 4 Nations Face-Off, with five in 11 games.
While San Jose sits at the bottom of the standings, the vibes around the franchise are immaculate, thanks in part to their young stars, Smith and Celebrini.
There is still plenty of room to grow, and finding out if Smith will be a full-time center in the long term will be a work in progress, but his growth from October to today is promising.
Logan Stankoven, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
63 games, 10 goals, 21 assists, 31 points
Stankoven is one of the most energetic and high-motor rookies in the rookie class, and he was the key piece heading back to the Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade with the Dallas Stars.
With 29 points in 59 games in Dallas and two points in four contests since the trade, Stankoven needs some time to get used to his new surroundings. We may not see him be fully comfortable until next season, but his style of play should fit right in with the Hurricanes. Tenacious and skilled, Stankoven should be a key contributor in the middle-six for the Hurricanes into the playoffs.
Logan Stankoven And The Harsh Realities Of An NHL TradeIt sometimes gets lost in all of the noise, how much a trade can impact a player.
Marco Kasper, C/LW, Detroit Red Wings
63 games, 13 goals, 14 assists, 27 points
The Red Wings have needed a player who can play up and down the lineup and help elevate those around him by being flexible from a stylistic standpoint.
Kasper has played on the left wing on the top line alongside Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin or down the middle with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. He’s played down the lineup in a defensive role and meaningful minutes on the penalty kill.
Kasper doesn’t have the eye-popping counting stats to get into the Calder conversation, but he’s been excellent overall.
Drew Helleson, D, Anaheim Ducks
42 games, four goals, six assists, 10 points
The fact that Helleson doesn’t put up points will always make him a secondary or tertiary part of the conversation among Anaheim’s young talent, but his steady defense should be appreciated.
Helleson plays a physical game and doesn’t try to do too much with the puck. He tracks play well in his own end and moves the puck to skilled teammates effectively. He’s found a way to be a positive influence on the ice with a bad team. He and Gauthier are tied for the team lead in goals-for percentage at 54.45 and 54.47, respectively, according to evolving-hockey.com.
Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Florida Panthers
59 games, 13 goals, 12 assists, 25 points
The Panthers are unsurprisingly one of the NHL’s best teams this season, but the back half of their season is full of injury troubles. Matthew Tkachuk hasn’t played since the 4 Nations Face-Off, and new acquisition Brad Marchand hasn’t suited up for the team, either.
That’s given Samoskevich the chance to move up the lineup, and the highly skilled right winger has looked fantastic. His puckhandling and energy have been a nice addition to the top six and top power-play unit. He’s been a dual-threat offensive presence that will likely end up down the lineup come playoff time, giving the Panthers the depth needed to win the Cup (again).
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The Wraparound: Which NCAA Hobey Baker Finalists Can Crack An NHL Lineup Next Season?
Welcome to a new episode of rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics on The Hockey News Wraparound Show.
Which NCAA Hobey Baker Finalists Can Crack An NHL Lineup Next Season? by The WraparoundundefinedHere's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:
0:00: What can the NHL do to generate interest in the 2026 all-star event?
4:15: Will the NHL's support of the current playoff format draw pushback?
7:53: Should the NHL bring back the centralized draft format next season?
10:42: Can the Dallas Stars get past the first round of the playoffs without Miro Heiskanen?
15:07: Will Noah Dobson extend his stay with the New York Islanders beyond this season?
17:30: Should extending Matthew Knies be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top off-season priority?
18:55: What has been the biggest part of the Montreal Canadiens’ recent success?
20:39: Should Jim Nill be the favorite to win the NHL’s GM of the year award again?
22:59: With injuries stacking up, how concerned should the Minnesota Wild be?
25:40: Which NCAA Hobey Baker finalist has the best shot of cracking an NHL lineup next season?
28:29: Which team is Alex Ovechkin most likely to score his 895th goal against?
See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes on Mondays and Thursdays.
Short-Handed Sabres Getting Peterka Back Against Utah
The Buffalo Sabres are looking to continue their recent success in the second game of their four-game road swing against Utah Hockey Club on Thursday. The Sabres are beginning a stretch of three games in four nights against Central Division foes, two of which are battling for Western Conference wildcard spots.
The Sabres will once again be without centers Josh Norris and Jiri Kulich. Norris has missed the last two games with an unspecified mid-body injury that has been lingering since before the trade with Ottawa on March 7. Kulich is still in concussion protocol after leaving the game against Vegas after a hit from Brett Howden of the Golden Knights.
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“Norris is progressing slowly, and (Kulich) I don’t have a definitive update.” Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said on Wednesday. “He’s still not ready to join us.”
The club took the morning skate at the Delta Center for the first time on Thursday, familiarizing themselves with the boards and sightlines of a new rink, after which Ruff confirmed that winger JJ Peterka’s return to the lineup after missing three games with a lower-body injury.
“Offensively, we’ve been missing some of that dynamic playability, especially on entries and on the rush,” Ruff said. “We know what (JJ) can bring, and he’ll be a welcome addition.”
Youngster Zach Benson was not on the ice on Thursday and will not be in the lineup because of illness. Brett Murray will take his place in the lineup. Ruff also said that newcomer Jacob Bernard-Docker could see his first action as a Sabre this weekend when the club plays back-to-back against Minnesota on Saturday and Winnipeg on Sunday.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
Buffalo Sabres Sign Defenseman To Contract Extension
The Buffalo Sabres are keeping one of their defensemen around, signing Jacob Bryson to a one-year, $900,000 contract extension for the 2025-26 season.
Bryson, 27, was a pending unrestricted free agent and could have hit the market on July 1. However, with the Sabres and the left-shot blueliner agreeing to this new deal, he will be sticking around in Buffalo.
Bryson has appeared in 42 games this season with the Sabres, where he has seven assists, 47 blocks, and a minus-4 rating. This was after he posted one goal, eight points, and a plus-5 rating in 36 contests this past season with the Sabres.
Overall, this is a low-risk move by the Sabres. Bryson has been a solid depth defenseman for the Sabres, and he will now continue to be at a reasonable price next season.
The Sabres selected Bryson as the 99th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In 248 games over five NHL seasons with the Sabres, he has four goals, 39 assists, 43 points, and a minus-33 rating.
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Mattias Ekholm Is The Third 99 Overall Player In NHL 25
Mattias Ekholm is officially the third player to receive a 99 overall card in NHL 25 Hockey Ultimate Team.
Ekholm has nine goals and 21 assists in 61 games for the Edmonton Oilers this season.
He joins Colton Parayko and Anthony Cirelli as the only 99s in the game. Jason Zucker, Megan Keller, and Sebastian Repo all sit at 98 overall and can join the club with one more goal.
His 99 card is pictured above. It comes with three customizable gold synergies, four superstar abilities, and the Thunderclap zone ability. He has 85 endurance, 76 fighting, and 99 in every other stat category.
For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.
Golden Knights' William Karlsson Announced As A Game-Time Decision
According to HC Bruce Cassidy, Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson is a game-time decision.
The Golden Knights return to T-Mobile Arena tonight after a four-game Eastern Conference road trip to take on the Boston Bruins and are in line to welcome back a key contributor to their lineup.
Karlsson has been out of the lineup since Jan. 20 with a lower-body injury, but if all goes to plan, he will make his long-awaited return. He's currently listed as a game-time decision, but Cassidy mentioned "that the plan is for him to play."
The 32-year-old has been a full participant in practice in the previous two skates, centring Nicolas Roy and Reilly Smith on the third line. At the current stage of his career and the injury issues he's faced, Karlsson hasn't produced offensively like he did just last season but has maintained his effectiveness on the defensive side of the puck.
"When you do get injured and you can't be playing, it's kind of like a reminder of how much you do actually love the game of hockey and how much fun it is," said Karlsson.
The Golden Knights are a far more consistent team with Karlsson in the lineup and will be glad to welcome him back if he is indeed available tonight.
He'll allow Cassidy to give Jack Eichel more rest and more favourable matchups, allowing his offensive game to shine. He'll also provide a boost to the Golden Knights' second power play unit and penalty kill.
In all, Karlsson's eventual return is far more valuable than what it may seem on the surface and with 15 games remaining, it gives him plenty of time to gear up for the playoffs.
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Line Combinations: Jets at Oilers
The 47-18-4 Winnipeg have travelled to Edmonton for a test against the 40-24-4 Oilers on Thursday night.
Another late-night showdown in the third affair of a three-game road trip, Winnipeg will look to bounce back from an uncharacteristic loss against Vancouver on Tuesday night.
After giving up a rare five-spot in the 6-2 loss to the Canucks, Connor Hellebuyck will be back in goal for Winnipeg on Thursday.
No changes have been made following Tuesday's loss, despite some lineup adjustments in-game by head coach Scott Arniel.
Winnipeg is not expected to face the NHL's goal scoring leader, as the Oilers will likely be without the injured Leon Draisiatl on Thursday.
Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM central time and the game can be viewed live on TSN.
Winnipeg Jets expected line combinations for Thursday, March 20 at Edmonton:
Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Ehlers-Namestnikov-Perfetti
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Tanev-Barron-Iafallo
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Schenn
Fleury-Miller
Hellebuyck
Injured: Pionk
Healthy Scratches: Stanley, Heinola, Gustafsson, Kupari
'Looks Like He Was A Goalie': Oilers' McDavid Reacts To Canadian PM Joining Practice
Canada's new prime minister practised with the Edmonton Oilers, the NHL team he continues to cheer on.
Mark Carney took the ice with the Oilers on Thursday ahead of the team's clash against the Winnipeg Jets, which rank second in the NHL.
Carney was sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minster on March 14. Since then, he spent the past week visiting leaders in France, the United Kingdom and Iqaluit before taking some shots on net on Thursday. The 60-year-old wore an Oilers jersey with his nameplate and the No. 24 on the back.
"Obviously nice to have him here," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said after practice. "He's an Oilers fan, lifelong Oilers fan, and Oilers fans are welcome here for sure, so definitely a unique thing."
Carney was born in Fort Smith, N.W.T., but grew up in Edmonton while Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey led the team to Stanley Cup championships.
He even mentioned the Oilers in his speech after winning the Liberal party leadership race to replace outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau on March 9.
"Yes, we can argue about politics. We can argue about hockey. We can even be an Oilers fan in Ottawa," Carney said at the time. "This is a free country. But when it comes to Canada, we are all on the same side."
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch appreciated Carney's support.
"I assume not too many former prime ministers have been Oiler fans, so it's nice to have one that cheers for the good team," he told reporters.
Carney chatted with players and coaches and even helped out with drills – although his skates hinted at his usual position on the ice.
"Looks like he was a goalie with those goalie skates," McDavid said.
Indeed he was, putting on the pads as a third-string goaltender for Harvard University's varsity squad in the mid-1980s. He didn't start in net for a game, but he did play part of a 10-2 win for the Crimson against Colgate, stopping all the shots he faced, according to the Harvard Crimson. He was even roommates with former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli, who captained the team during Carney's senior year.
Carney later became the backup goalie on the University of Oxford's men's hockey team. But despite his hockey experience, he wasn't a practice goalie for the Oilers on Thursday.
"I'm not sure the security detail would like that very much," McDavid said.
Where Have All The NHL's 50-Goal Scorers Gone?Eighty years ago today, Maurice 'Rocket' Richard set the gold standard for goals in an NHL season. He became the first player in history to record a 50-goal season.
The Oilers host the Jets at 9 p.m. ET. As for Carney, he's expected to meet with Alberta premier Danielle Smith, according to the Canadian Press.
- Jonathan Tovell contributed to this report.
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Sharks Lineup Has New Faces Against Hurricanes
The San Jose Sharks will play their fourth game of an eight-game homestand on Thursday, and two NHL firsts will occur against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Georgi Romanov will make his first career start in goal despite tonight's game marking his fourth career appearance. He's been forced to come in on relief duty during the final two games of the 23-24 season and against the Capitals last Saturday.
Romanov will make his first NHL start tomorrow. #SJSharks
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) March 19, 2025
Luca Cagnoni was recalled from the San Jose Barracuda and will make his NHL debut. He will be paired on defense with Vincent Desharnais and run the Sharks' first power play unit.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic will miss Thursday's game with an upper-body injury he's dealt with the entire season. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said this injury was the same one that held him out through the first half of the season.
"Vlasic is going to be out. Upper body, and he's still being evaluated. I'd say it's day-to-day right now," Warsofsky said. "It's probably the same thing he's been dealing with since training camp. He's been trying to play through it, and it got to the point, just after the practice yesterday, that was probably a little bit too much."
Brent Burns will play in his 912th consecutive game and passes former San Jose Sharks legend Patrick Marleau for fifth all-time on the NHL's Iron Man list.
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Follow Max on Twitter: @Real_Max_Miller