From Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer to Montreal's dynamic duo, discover the top NHL rookies who made their mark in the 2025-26 season.
Key Takeaways
- Matthew Schaefer became the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since 1992-93 with 23 goals and 59 points as the Islanders' first-overall pick.
- Ivan Demidov led all rookies with 62 points (19-43—62) in 82 games, becoming the seventh rookie in Canadiens history to reach 60 points.
- Beckett Sennecke matched the rookie goal lead with 23 and helped Anaheim return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.
- Jakub Dobes led all rookie goaltenders with 29 wins and helped Montreal return to the playoffs for a second straight season.
- Montreal Canadiens had three players on the All-Rookie Team, showcasing their successful rebuild.
Top 10 NHL Rookies Ranking
The 2025-26 NHL rookie class delivered exceptional talent across all positions. Here are the top 10 rookies based on performance, impact, and voting for the Calder Trophy and All-Rookie Team.
1. Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders
The first-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft became the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since 1992-93. Schaefer recorded 23 goals and 59 points in 82 games, leading all rookie defensemen in scoring and finishing third among all rookies. His 194 points in All-Rookie Team voting led all defensemen.
Season Stats: 82 GP, 23 G, 36 A, 59 P, +13
2. Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens
Demidov led all rookies with 62 points, including 19 goals and 43 assists. The 20-year-old appeared in all 82 games and became just the seventh rookie in Canadiens history to reach the 60-point mark. His 195 points in All-Rookie Team voting led all forwards.
Season Stats: 82 GP, 19 G, 43 A, 62 P, +5
3. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Anaheim Ducks
The third overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft shared the rookie goal lead with 23 and ranked second with 60 points. Sennecke helped Anaheim return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18. His 23 goals matched the third-most in a single season by a Ducks rookie.
Season Stats: 82 GP, 23 G, 37 A, 60 P, -12
4. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis Blues
Snuggerud scored 21 goals and 51 points in just 70 games, averaging 0.73 points per game. His efficiency was among the best in the rookie class, and he secured the third forward spot on the All-Rookie Team with 136 voting points.
Season Stats: 70 GP, 21 G, 30 A, 51 P, +8
5. Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Nikishin finished second among rookie defensemen in All-Rookie Team voting with 184 points. He recorded 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games, providing steady two-way play for a Hurricanes team that relied on his defensive reliability.
Season Stats: 81 GP, 11 G, 22 A, 33 P, +7
6. Jakub Dobes, G, Montreal Canadiens
Dobes led all rookie goaltenders with 29 wins in 43 appearances. He posted a 29-10-4 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and .901 save percentage, helping Montreal return to the playoffs for a second straight season. His 151 voting points led all goaltenders.
Season Stats: 43 GP, 29-10-4, 2.78 GAA, .901 SV%
7. Ryan Leonard, RW, Washington Capitals
Leonard provided consistent scoring depth for the Capitals, appearing in 75 games and contributing at a point-per-game pace. His two-way play made him a valuable asset for Washington's playoff push.
Season Stats: 75 GP, 18 G, 40 A, 58 P, +6
8. Jesper Wallstedt, G, Minnesota Wild
Wallstedt finished second in goaltender voting with 44 points. Despite appearing in only 35 games, he posted strong numbers and showed promise as the Wild's goaltender of the future.
Season Stats: 35 GP, 18-12-5, 2.85 GAA, .908 SV%
9. Fraser Minten, C, Boston Bruins
Originally drafted by Toronto, Minten was traded to Boston and made his mark in his first full season. He appeared in all 82 games, providing responsible two-way play and contributing 17 goals and 35 points.
Season Stats: 82 GP, 17 G, 18 A, 35 P, +4
10. Oliver Kapanen, C, Montreal Canadiens
Kapanen was an overlooked rookie who made his mark in his first full season. After just two assists in 18 games the previous season, he tallied 22 goals and 37 points in a full 82-game campaign, becoming a key part of Montreal's third line.
The Calder Trophy Race
The 2025-26 Calder Trophy race was one of the most competitive in recent memory, with multiple legitimate contenders for Rookie of the Year honors.
Matthew Schaefer's Historic Season
Schaefer became the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since 1992-93, receiving maximum points from all Professional Hockey Writers Association voters. His 23 goals as a rookie defenseman was exceptional, and his 59 points placed him among the top rookie scorers regardless of position.
Demidov's Point-Production
Demidov led all rookies in points with 62, narrowly edging out Sennecke's 60. His playmaking ability (43 assists) was exceptional, and he became a key offensive driver for Montreal.
Sennecke's Goal-Scoring
Sennecke matched Demidov with 23 goals, leading all rookies in goal-scoring. His ability to find the back of the net was crucial for Anaheim's playoff return.
2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team
The Professional Hockey Writers Association voted on the 2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team, with the following players earning honors:
Forwards
- Ivan Demidov (MTL) — 195 voting points
- Beckett Sennecke (ANA) — 191 voting points
- Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) — 136 voting points
Defensemen
- Matthew Schaefer (NYI) — 194 voting points
- Alexander Nikishin (CAR) — 184 voting points
Goaltenders
- Jakub Dobes (MTL) — 151 voting points
Rookies Who Made Playoff Impact
Several rookies played crucial roles in their teams' playoff runs:
Anaheim Ducks
Beckett Sennecke was instrumental in Anaheim's return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18. His 23 goals provided secondary scoring behind established stars.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens' trio of Demidov, Dobes, and Kapanen helped Montreal return to the playoffs for a second straight season. Dobes' goaltending stability was particularly crucial.
New York Islanders
Matthew Schaefer's Calder Trophy-winning season provided the Islanders with elite production from the blue line, elevating their defensive corps to elite status.
Investment Outlook for Rookie Cards
For sports card investors, the 2025-26 rookie class offers several opportunities:
Matthew Schaefer
As a unanimous Calder winner and first-overall pick, Schaefer's rookie cards have strong long-term potential. His scoring from the blue line is rare and valuable.
Ivan Demidov
Playing in Montreal boosts Demidov's card value due to the Canadiens' massive fan base. His point-production as a rookie suggests star potential.
Beckett Sennecke
Sennecke's goal-scoring ability and Anaheim's playoff return make his cards attractive. The Ducks' young core suggests sustained team success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the NHL Calder Trophy in 2025-26?
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders won the 2025-26 Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. He became the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since 1992-93, recording 23 goals and 59 points in 82 games as the first-overall pick from the 2025 NHL Draft.
Which NHL rookie led in points during 2025-26?
Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens led all NHL rookies in points during the 2025-26 season with 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists) in 82 games. He narrowly edged out Beckett Sennecke of Anaheim who had 60 points.
How many Montreal Canadiens rookies made the All-Rookie Team?
The Montreal Canadiens had three players on the 2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team: forward Ivan Demidov, goaltender Jakub Dobes, and center Oliver Kapanen. This showcased the success of Montreal's rebuild through the draft.
Which NHL rookie had the most goals in 2025-26?
Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks and Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens tied for the most goals among NHL rookies in 2025-26 with 23 goals each. Sennecke achieved this in 82 games while Demidov also played 82 games.
Who was the top rookie goaltender in 2025-26?
Jakub Dobes of the Montreal Canadiens was the top rookie goaltender in 2025-26, leading all rookie netminders with 29 wins in 43 appearances. He posted a 29-10-4 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.
Which NHL team had the best rookie class in 2025-26?
The Montreal Canadiens had the best rookie class in 2025-26, with three players (Ivan Demidov, Jakub Dobes, and Oliver Kapanen) making significant contributions and helping the team return to the playoffs for a second straight season. Demidov and Dobes were both named to the All-Rookie Team.
