Who is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy Race This Year?
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Lane Hutson was the favorite to win the 2024-25 Calder Trophy and he did win it. The odds for 2025-2026 are officially out, and there are plenty of new faces to look at.
| ⭐ Player | 📊 Odds |
|---|---|
| Ivan Demidov | +240 |
| Alexander Nikishin | +900 |
| Zayne Parekh | +1200 |
| Ryan Leonard | +1200 |
| Jimmy Snuggerud | +1400 |
Breakdown Of Best ROY Odds
Ivan Demidov and Alexander Nikishin start the offseason as the favorites to take the Calder Trophy. However, numerous factors will determine whether they win, such as their performance on their teams.
Ivan Demidov Odds
Ivan Demidov has the highest odds this coming season. The only question is if he will play. The Montreal Canadiens drafted Demidov in the 2024 NHL Draft. Demidov debuted late in the 2024-2025 season for the Habs, and is eligible to compete for the Calder Trophy this season.
Alexander Nikishin Odds
Alexander Nikishin has not played in any regular-season games yet. However, he did not skate in four playoff games and should have a great chance to win the Calder Trophy this season. Nikishin was 69th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft and looks to make an impact in the NHL this season.
Zayne Parekh
Zayne Parekh was drafted ninth overall by the Calgary Flames in 2024, and will undoubtedly have a chance to make an impact. Amazingly, he scored in his first NHL game in 2025, and hopes to put more pucks in the back of the net. The oddsmakers have him as the third-best to win the Calder this coming season
Close Contenders for the Calder Trophy
As always, other close contenders can emerge from the pack. These two might make a statement.
Ryan Leonard
Ryan Leonard was drafted eighth overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2023 NHL Draft. He made his debut on April 1, 2025, and will look to keep getting better in the 2025-2026 season.
Jimmy Snuggerud
Jimmy Snuggerud was drafted 23rd overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2022 NHL Draft and has already made his NHL debut this season. Now, he looks to contribute to the Blues' playoff effort and make a case for himself to win the Calder Trophy.
🔥 OTHER NHL ODDS PAGES:
- Stanley Cup Odds
- NHL Playoffs Odds
- MVP Trophy Odds
- Maple Leafs Playoff Odds
- Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Odds
How to Bet on the NHL Rookie of the Year
Want to place a bet on the Calder Trophy winner? Go to your favorite online sportsbook or app, find the NHL tab and then click on the awards section. Once there, you'll find the odds for the Calder Trophy and other NHL postseason awards. Then all you have to do is study the odds, make your pick and then place your bet.
How the Calder Trophy Voting Works
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association cast votes for the Calder Trophy. Each member ranks his or her top five candidates on a 10-7-5-3-1 points system with 10 points going to the player that the voter thinks should win. The trophy is handed out to the winner at the NHL Awards ceremony on June 26, 2024.
The criteria for the award is rather simple. It goes to the player "selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." Calder winners must be 26 years old or younger on September 15 of their rookie season.
How to Find the Best Odds
There are a number of apps and online sportsbooks that place odds on NHL games, Stanley Cup odds and NHL awards. DraftKings, BetMGM and FanDuel are some of the popular sports betting web sites that offer odds on all things NHL. If you're new to sports betting, many of the sites offer signup bonuses and other promotions so be sure to take advantage.
Recent NHL Calder Trophy Winners
Player | Team | Season |
|---|---|---|
Lane Hutson | Montreal Canadiens | 2025 |
| Connor Bedard | Chicago Blackhawks | 2024 |
Matty Beniers | Seattle Kraken | 2023 |
Moritz Seider | Detroit Red Wings | 2022 |
Kirill Kaprizov | Minnesota Wild | 2021 |
Cale Makar | Colorado Avalanche | 2020 |
Elias Pettersson | Vancouver Canucks | 2019 |
Mathew Barzal | New York Islanders | 2018 |
Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2017 |
Artemi Panarin | Chicago Blackhawks | 2016 |
Aaron Ekblad | Florida Panthers | 2015 |
Nathan MacKinnon | Colorado Avalanche | 2014 |
Jonathan Huberdeau | Florida Panthers | 2013 |
Evgeni Malkin | Penguins | 2012 |
Gabriel Landeskog | Colorado Avalanche | 2011 |
Jeff Skinner | Carolina Hurricanes | 2010 |
Tyler Myers | Buffalo Sabres | 2009 |
Steve Mason | Columbus Blue Jackets | 2008 |
NHL Calder Trophy Award FAQ
Ivan Demidov is currently the favorite to win the Calder Trophy in 2026. After making a brief cameo at the end of the 2024-2025 season, Demidov is projected to play a full season and make significant contributions for the Habs.
The NHL Draft will take place in late June, and there are several possibilities. Currently, Roger McQueen and Victor Eklund might be surprising choices, as neither will likely be a Top-5 pick, but they can become great if they form chemistry with their new teams.
Yes. It has happened several times, but it is a rare occurrence. Notable players such as Tony Esposito, Ed Belfour, Mario Lemieux, and Daniel Alfredsson all successfully won the Calder Trophy and another major award during their rookie seasons.
Author
Ray has worked in sports journalism for the past 26 years, covering Super Bowls, Stanley Cup Finals, Final Fours and BCS national championship games.
