Top NHL Rookies: Lane Hutson Leads Calder Trophy Contenders

It was another star-studded year for NHL rookies culminating with Lane Hutson, Dustin Wolf and Macklin Celebrini all being in the hunt for the Calder Trophy, given to the league's top rookie. Nearly all the rookies on the list below will have some level of fantasy appeal during the 2025-26 season, and it's important to manage expectations with the youngsters as they move into their second seasons. Let's take a look at who we should be keeping an eye on.  

Lane Hutson: Calder Trophy Favorite and Fantasy Draft Pick

A 5-foot-9 defenseman, Hutson (21 years old) quickly extinguished any size concerns by playing all 82 regular-season games and posting 66 points -- 26 on the power play -- while averaging 22:44 of ice time. The Boston University product appears to be a lock for the Calder Trophy. While the 2022 second-round pick needs to polish his defensive game before he becomes a team's true No. 1 defenseman, Hutson will continue to log enough minutes, especially on the No. 1 power play, to justify his selection in the first few rounds of fantasy drafts in the 2025-26 season. 

Dustin Wolf: Emerging NHL Starter with Fantasy Potential

Wolf played a handful of NHL games before the 2024-25 season, and his starting opportunity arrived this season when the Flames traded Jacob Markstrom to the Devils last summer. The 24-year-old is in the Calder conversation after recording a .910 save percentage, a 2.64 GAA and a 29-16-8 record. Wolf's performance tapered off in the second half, as he earned a .918 save percentage through the first 26 games compared to a .900 mark over the final 27 games while not seeing a significant rise in expected GA/60, per Natural Stat Trick. Wolf has the summer to learn from his experiences and should be considered a solid starter again next season, but he's not ready for a Connor Hellebuyck/Andrei Vasilevskiy workload yet. We should project 50-55 starts.

Macklin Celebrini: Rising Star with Point-Per-Game Potential

Celebrini would likely win the Calder Trophy if not for Hutson, his college teammate, dominating (at two years older) for the Canadiens. The former registered 25 goals and 38 assists across 70 games on the league-worst Sharks, but his minus-31 rating was a drag on his overall fantasy output. For reference, Connor Bedard produced 22 goals, 39 assists and a minus-44 rating through 68 games as a rookie. Bedard's per-game production dropped off in his second season, and Celebrini will look to avoid such a fate. There is no magic formula to ensure improvement in Season Two, as even Nathan MacKinnon endured a dropoff in his second season, but Celebrini has a more conventional No. 1 center frame at two inches taller than Bedard, not to mention the culture in San Jose looks more appealing to an outsider. Furthermore, the Sharks have the cap space to bring in strong complementary players this offseason, providing Celebrini with the tools to continue his upward trajectory. He should fire at a point-per-game pace next year. 

Will Smith's Stellar Rookie Season with the San Jose Sharks

The No. 4 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Smith excelled in his first NHL season as Celebrini's teammate and frequent linemate, generating 18 goals and 45 points through 74 games. Smith is a phenomenal talent with enough creativity to take the next step alongside Celebrini. While the Sharks are a few years from truly contending, Smith could realistically post 20-25 goals and 65 points with another full summer of training under his belt. 

Matvei Michkov: Goal-Scoring Threat with Breakout Potential

Michkov was taken three spots after Smith in the 2023 NHL Draft, and he fired out of the gate as a rookie with 11 goals through the first 25 games while scoring at a 23.9 percent rate. Of course, Michkov cooled off but still finished the season with 26 goals, most among all rookies. The Russian winger was sheltered most of the season with 16:16 of ice time per game through the first 71 matchups. After the Flyers fired head coach John Tortorella, however, Michkov averaged 19:36 of ice time through the final nine games and generated six goals and six assists under interim coach Brad Shaw. If such usage continues next season, 30 goals and 70 points are within reach. 

Cutter Gauthier's Impressive Debut with Anaheim Ducks

Gauthier is yet another rookie hit in Anaheim with 20 goals and 22 assists across 82 games. The 20-year-old accomplished this while playing just 14:04 per game. He looked more comfortable as the season progressed, and his production responded accordingly with 11 goals and 11 assists across the final 27 games despite not receiving an increase in playing time or consistent power-play usage. If he garners top-six minutes with a power-play role, 25 goals and as many assists should be a comfortable projection. 

Zachary Bolduc's Impactful Season with St. Louis Blues

Bolduc earned a full-time role with the Blues this season and mostly played on the third line with power-play minutes, but he had a few cups of coffee in the top six. The 2021 first-round pick plays with an edge and has a nasty wrist shot, translating to 19 goals, 17 assists and 108 hits across 71 games while averaging just 12:18 of ice time. Bolduc maxed out his production in his current slot, and it's unlikely he moves up in the lineup next season now that Jimmy Snuggerud is on board and thriving. 

Mackie Samoskevich's Role in the Panthers' Lineup

Samoskevich was taken seven picks after Bolduc and served in a similar role until after the 4 Nations Face-Off (with Matthew Tkachuk injured) when his ice time increased to 16:34 per game, producing seven goals and seven assists through 24 outings. While he proved he can hold his own in the role, the Panthers have a loaded top six that Samoskevich isn't guaranteed to be a part of next year. 

Jackson Blake's Ascent in the Carolina Hurricanes Roster

After two strong seasons at North Dakota, Blake immediately jumped to the NHL and climbed his way up the depth chart. The 2021 fourth-round pick mostly stayed in the bottom six until the Hurricanes traded Martin Necas and Jack Drury to the Avalanche, opening a role in the top six. Blake found his stride down the stretch with 12 points over the final 14 games. He should be locked into the top nine next season with some stints on the first line included. 

Logan Stankoven's Impact Following Trade to the Hurricanes

Stankoven was sent to the Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade, and he generated nine points through 19 games before potting two goals in Game 1 of the first round. Stankoven should push Blake for top-six minutes next season. 

Emerging College Rookies Ready to Shine in the NHL

An assortment of future stars signed NHL contracts after their collegiate seasons ended. Ryan Leonard had a slow start with the Capitals, but the two-time, 30-goal scorer at Boston College should be a power-play factor next year. Jimmy Snuggerud immediately slotted into the Blues' top six and posted five points through the first nine games, setting himself up to remain in that role moving forward. Gabe Perreault didn't post a point through five games with the Rangers, but his ability to distribute the puck and the Rangers' lack of depth at wing should make Perreault a top-six winger next year. Sam Rinzel averaged a whopping 23:22 of ice time through nine games with the Blackhawks and had five points to show for it. He'll likely quarterback the Blackhawks' No. 1 power play next year. Zeev Buium has played sheltered minutes with the Wild thus far, but he has superstar potential after posting 98 points through two seasons at Denver.

ST. PAUL - It was just a matter of time before the highly touted defensive Wild prospect got his first NHL point. 

The Wild entered Game 3 with only two power play chances in the series. There was a thought that they may take Zeev Buium out of the lineup for Game 3 so they could have a more defensive guy in like Jon Merrill. 

But, Wild head coach John Hynes stuck with the same lineup and Buium produced. 

On the Wild's first power play chace in the opening period, Buium walked the line before dropping a pass off to Kirill Kaprizov.

Kirill Kaprizov powerplay goal. Zeev Buium first NHL assist #mnwildpic.twitter.com/tfM5stSb6T

— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) April 25, 2025

Buium, 19, played 4:55 in the opening period and 1:47 of it was on the power play. His primary assist to Kaprizov was his first NHL point in his third NHL game. 

The Florida Panthers may have just surprised much of the hockey world.

Starting their first round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road, the Panthers picked up a pair of big victories following Thursday’s 2-0 win in Game 2.

Similarly to Game 1 on Tuesday, it didn't take long for the Panthers to open the scoring.

Shortly after killing off an early Tampa Bay power play, Nate Schmidt hammered a one-timer from Sam Reinhart right off an offensive zone draw that gave the Cats a 1-0 lead.

That’s how the score would remain through the first two periods due to some strong goaltending on both ends.

Florida netminder Sergei Bobrovsky made 16 saves through 40 minutes, including stops on all three of Tampa’s high danger shots.

Midway through the third period, with Tampa Bay on the power play, Branden Hagel laid a high hit on Sasha Barkov that was called a five-minute major for interference.

Barkov skated off the ice on his own but went straight to the Panthers dressing room.

Led by Bobrovsky, who finished with 19 saves, the Panthers held strong on the defensive end and shut out the Bolts on their own ice.

Sam Bennett added an empty-net goal with 2.9 seconds left for good measure as the Cats took a 2-0 series lead heading back to Sunrise. 

On to Game 3.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Schmidt has already tied his career high for playoff goals in a single postseason with three.

Sasha Barkov is up to three assists in the series after getting a helper on Schmidt's goal.

Florida finished 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Sam Reinhart has three points in the series. He had the primary assist on Schmidt’s goal.

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LAS VEGAS -- "And now, the end is near. And so I'll face the final curtain. ... I've lived, a life that's full ... I've traveled each and every highway. And more, much more than this, I did it My Way."

The lyrics Paul Anka wrote for Frank Sinatra when he was set to retire from entertainment roughly 55 years ago couldn't fit any better for Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-André Fleury, who's certainly done things his way during a 21-year career that undoubtedly will usher him into the Hall of Fame one day.

The former Golden Knight will retire when Minnesota's playoff run comes to an end - either with a loss or by hoisting Lord's Stanley Cup in June - and he'll do so as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history.

The 40-year-old won three Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016, and 2017, all with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also received the William M. Jennings Trophy and the Vezina Trophy in 2021, while playing for Vegas. And over the final three seasons of his career, with Chicago and Minnesota, he's continued to make his mark on all-time statistical leaderboards for goaltenders. He'll retire with 575 regular-season wins, the second-most in history.

It didn't come as a surprise that Minnesota's chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association nominated him for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which recognizes the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. It's the third time he's been nominated for the award.

"He just loves the game," Minnesota GM Bill Guerin said during Minnesota's April 16 episode of Beyond Our Ice. "That's allowed him to play as long as he has, his passion and love for the game."

Added Wild rinkside reporter Kevin Gorg: "This is a first-ballot lock Hall of Famer, this is one of the best at his position all-time." 

FAREWELL TOUR

As his emotional final season winds down, Fluery shared some thoughts with The Hockey News during Minnesota's stop in Vegas for Games 1 and 2 of the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs.

From video tributes, to quick postgame visits with friends and former teammates, to sold-out arenas filled with fans of opposing teams chanting his name, it's certainly not what he expected.

"Maybe a little more than I was asking for," he said, flashing his trademark grin. "Last year I got asked every day if I was retiring after the season, so that's why early in the season, I just said, 'Yeah, (this is) my last one', so people would stop asking me.

"But I didn't expect all the cheers and tributes and TVs on the jumbotrons and guys lining up for handshakes and stuff. Just a lot of emotions going through that stuff. So many good memories playing in this league. Yeah, it was definitely a special year."

While Fleury still has one more trip to Vegas, albeit backing up Minnesota starter Filip Gustavsson for Game 5, he admitted his farewell tour has had plenty of emotional stops. Most notably, his final start in Pittsburgh, a 5-3 win on Oct. 29, 2025, and the final trip to his hometown of Montreal, a 4-0 victory on Jan. 30.

"Obviously (in Vegas), being part of the first team to start (the franchise), and the love that people have shown me since day one, for me and my family," Fleury said. "And Pittsburgh, I was there for a long time, 14 years. And Montreal, it was very special, going back home.

"The way people react, the guys on the ice, also. It's a little crazy, a little surreal. I still get butterflies thinking about it."

As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Pittsburgh and Montreal, both arenas could do nothing but cheer for one of the most beloved players in league history, chanting his name as opposing players lined up to shake his hand one last time.

Fleury said he's had his collection of confidants to turn to this season whenever he's needed to bend an ear about his decision, or simply to get advice on what to expect during retirement. Whether it's been his sister or a cousin who plays goalie, or people around the league, he's had people he can count on.

"I feel like I always see guys that I played with, or coaching, scouting, or GMs or doing TV, doing radio," said Fleury, who finished his last-ever regular season 13-9-1 with a 2.97 goals-against average, .897 save percentage and one shutout. "So it's always good to pick their brains a bit on how things are after hockey, and how they do. It's good to catch up with guys, obviously, to learn a bit from their experience."

THE END IS NEAR

Fleury said while there are mornings he wakes up feeling younger than ever, which isn't shocking considering the regimen he keeps to maintain his physique, he's ready to enjoy life with his wife Veronique and their three children Estelle, Scarlett and James.

"I think she's worried for having me ever day at the house," Fleury said with a chuckle. "But I think I'm there. There's some mornings I feel good, still feel young and energetic. I think time catches up, age catches up.

"(Besides), after this season I can't come back. You know, I can't be saying all these goodbyes (and come back)."

Fleury, who still owns his house in Las Vegas, said he and Veronique have scrapped plans of returning to Southern Nevada for retirement and will stay in Minnesota.

"We've been in Minnesota for three years now, and the kids have moved schools, from Pittsburgh to Vegas to Chicago to Minnesota, and now they finally have a little bit of stability," he said. "So until I figure out what I want to do and where I'm going or whatever, I think it was the right thing, just to keep them in school, keep them with their friends."

Now, it's only a matter of time before ol' Flower walks through a tunnel and takes the ice one final time.

So, it seemed only fitting that the Wild meet the Knights in the postseason, as it means Fleury will experience the vibes he helped create from the first time the Golden Knights stepped foot on the ice.

It's one thing he said that will never get old: feeling the energy inside T-Mobile Arena.

"We know it's gonna be a battle to the end," he said. "It's always good to come back in the city, right? I've met a lot of great people around the team and outside the rink also, and good to see (media members). So that's a good part about it, coming back a little bit more and catching up with people.

"I had so many good times being here in this building. A little different, being on the opposing team, but still good memories to be in the building, being so loud. Seeing Golden Pipes (Carnell Johnson) sing (the National Anthem), and people cheering too. I think it's good to be back and have those memories back again.

"People have been so good to me, my family, and always be thankful for that."

It has been a rough year injury-wise for several Pittsburgh Penguins' prospects.

And it appears that they have been dealt another blow - and a pretty big one.

Top forward prospect Tanner Howe - selected in the second round (46th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft - underwent successful reconsructive surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, it was announced Thursday by Penguins' POHO and GM Kyle Dubas.

Howe is expected to be in recovery from the surgery for nine months, which would keep him out until at least January of 2026. He was injured during a WHL playoff game for the Calgary Hitmen.

The 19-year-old forward from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan registered 18 goals and 46 points in 47 games between the Regina Pats and Hitmen, as he was traded to Calgary midseason. In six WHL playoff games, he tallied two goals and nine points.

Howe also played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship and scored one goal in his five WJC games. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins after being drafted last summer. 

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