- Porter Martone - Philadelphia Flyers
Given Martone’s extremely productive run at the end of last season, it should come as no surprise that he’s the odds-on favourite to capture the Calder entering the season. He’s going to be given every opportunity to earn significant ice time, building upon the immediate chemistry shown with Trevor Zegras.
- Gavin McKenna - Toronto MapleLeafs
The first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, McKenna enters training camp and the upcoming season with a ton of hype. He’s going to get all the ice time that he can handle in Toronto and could be an immediate fixture alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander on the top powerplay unit.
- Anton Frondell- Chicago Blackhawks
Much like Martone, Frondell had a great run in the NHL later in the season after joining the Hawks. Connor Bedard’s injury opens up things even more for him to earn significant ice time and responsibility to start the season. Frondell is another player likely on the top powerplay unit.
- Roman Kantserov- Chicago Blackhawks
Speaking of opportunity, Kantserov now has an even larger opening available to him to start the year because of Bedard’s injury. Recent KHL scoring stars have had trouble adjusting to the NHL game, but the Hawks are optimistic that Kantserov can buck the trend.
- Ivar Stenberg - San Jose Sharks
There’s no guarantee that Stenberg is in the NHL next year with the Sharks. San Jose is deep. However, if he comes into camp and performs well, he’s going to crack the roster and earn significant playing time. His mature game should transition easily, as shown at the recent World Championships.
- Cole Hutson - Washington Capitals
Hutson was an immediate impact player for Washington after turning pro late last year. He is likely a slam dunk to crack the Capitals roster and see significant powerplay time. As such, Hutson is far and away the top defenceman candidate for the Calder entering the season.
- Ilya Protas - Washington Capitals
Can Washington resist the urge to place Ilya alongside brother Aliaksei? He had a terrific first pro season, and he was great in a cup of coffee with the Capitals. One of the biggest darkhorse candidates for the Calder entering the year. He’s talented enough to make a push.
- Jacob Fowler - Montreal Canadiens
Montreal enters the season with a three headed goalie monster. Can Fowler escape that as the team’s starter? He could just as easily be in the AHL as he is starting, so he is one of the true wildcards of Calder prognostication.
- James Hagens - Boston Bruins
Even with Boston’s solid depth, Hagens has a chance to be a top six player and powerplay fixture as an NHL rookie. He’s one of the most creative playmakers on the roster, he’ll just need to prove that he can handle the physical rigors of the NHL.
- Konsta Helenius - Buffalo Sabres
A breakout season in the AHL, combined with a strong performance at the World Championships has Helenius knocking at the door of a full-time NHL gig this year. It’s not a lock, but Buffalo might not be able to keep him out if he has a strong training camp.
- Sebastian Cossa - Utah Mammoth
The Mammoth still have veteran Karel Vejmelka, but after giving up a first round selection for Cossa, Utah is likely to give him significant starts in a platoon role if he earns it. Will that be enough to earn Calder votes? What if Vejmelka gets moved or gets hurt?
- Viggo Bjorck- Winnipeg Jets
The 8th overall pick in 2026 will be given every opportunity to earn a top nine spot on the Jets. He had a good year in Sweden and was great at the World Championships. It’s very likely he cracks the roster, although he may not score quite enough yet to be a Calder winner.
- Tij Iginla - Utah Mammoth
Can Iginla force his way into Utah’s lineup as a first-year pro? Given the additions Utah made this offseason, it seems unlikely. However, if he does crack the lineup, he’ll be placed in a scoring line role with an opportunity to put up points.
- Victor Eklund - New York Islanders
Similar to others this far down on the list, Eklund may not be able to crack the NHL roster this year. However, with a great training camp, he may force New York’s hand. Like Iginla, he won’t be kept up to play a bottom-line role either.
- T.J. Hughes - Colorado Avalanche
The prized free agent signing out of Michigan, Hughes was an immediate impact player in the AHL playoffs to close out last year. With a strong training camp, he could end up earning a spot in Colorado’s lineup, playing with some pretty talented players. Another true darkhorse for the Calder.
- Bradly Nadeau - Carolina Hurricanes
Nadeau has nothing left to prove at the AHL level. He’s been one of the best players in the AHL the last two years. It’s now about taking that next step as an NHL regular. The problem is…the reigning Stanley Cup champions just don’t have the room for him. Would they make room via trade?
- Carter Yakemchuk - Ottawa Senators
The only other defender on this list, Yakemchuk is likely to make the Senators this year. However, he’s not guaranteed to see powerplay time and that means putting up the kind of points necessary for a defender to win the Calder is unlikely. But…crazier things have happened.
- Caleb Desnoyers - Utah Mammoth
Facing the same uphill battle as Tij Iginla when it comes to making this Mammoth roster. Given the new AHL eligibility rules, Desnoyers can be sent down there too as a U20 player. He’ll need a heck of a strong training camp to break camp.
- Brady Martin - Nashville Predators
Martin is in the same boat as Caleb Desnoyers in Utah. He’s a talented high pick who plays a mature, NHL ready game. However, Nashville has great depth and he can be sent down to the AHL given the new rules affecting U20 CHL’ers.
- Sam O’Reilly - Tampa Bay Lightning
After such a tremendous season that saw O’Reilly showered with accolades, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him make a serious push for a roster spot immediately. His game is pro ready and his versatility and physicality will endear him quickly to Jon Cooper.