Calder Memorial Trophy Odds (2025-26)

The following post features Calder Memorial Trophy Odds (2025-26).

With the 2025-26 NHL season underway, sportsbooks have released the Calder Memorial Trophy odds, providing a look at the top contenders for the award recognizing the league’s Rookie of the Year.

Read: NHL Norris Trophy Odds

Related: NHL Jack Adams Award Odds

As the NHL season progresses, bettors and fans can see which gifted rookies are seizing early opportunities and posting dominant statistics to stand out in the race for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

So, how is the Calder Memorial Trophy race shaping up for 2025-26? Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

Last season, defenseman Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens captured the Calder Memorial Trophy, winning the award presented to the NHL’s most proficient rookie. Hutson was a dominant winner, securing the award with 165 of 191 first-place votes, well ahead of the other finalists, goaltender Dustin Wolf (2nd place) and forward Macklin Celebrini (3rd place). His historic rookie campaign was built on phenomenal offensive production from the blue line, where he became just the fourth defenseman in the modern era to lead all rookies in scoring. He finished the season with 66 points (6 goals, 60 assists) in 82 games, tying Larry Murphy for the most assists by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.

Calder Memorial Trophy

The Calder Memorial Trophy is presented annually “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition” in the NHL. The winner is determined by a poll taken at the conclusion of the regular season, submitted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA). The eligibility criteria are notably strict: a player cannot have played more than 25 games in any single preceding season, nor in six or more games in each of any two preceding seasons, in any major professional league. Furthermore, the “Makarov Rule” dictates that a player must not have attained his 26th birthday by September 15th of the season.

Calder Memorial Trophy Odds (2025-26)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the Calder Memorial Trophy. All odds were sourced on Oct 23, 2025. Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Player Spotlights

Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders, +120)

Schaefer has rapidly become the prohibitive favorite, with his odds slashing from an opening +1700 after a scorching start that shattered expectations for a rookie defenseman. The No. 1 overall pick is leading all Islanders in ice time (over 22 minutes a game) and has been dominant in the offensive zone, logging multiple high-danger goals and driving the offense. If the 18-year-old sustains this workload and offensive proficiency, setting rookie defenseman scoring marks, his instant impact on a playoff team will secure the award.

Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens, +350)

The Canadiens’ dynamic winger, Demidov, remains a top contender, priced as the most likely forward to challenge Schaefer. His +350 odds reflect his elite skill and a pre-season status as the favorite, driven by KHL scoring records and a brief, impactful NHL debut last season. The narrative here is raw offensive dominance: Demidov is a creative playmaker with top-six usage and immediate power-play time. He is a high-floor selection, and if he adapts to the NHL pace and physics to post 65+ points, he offers a clear path to victory.

Zeev Buium (Minnesota Wild, +650)

Buium is positioned as the primary dark horse among the defensemen, offering strong value at +650. The betting case is built on his exceptional poise and high-end hockey sense, which have allowed him to step immediately into a top defensive pairing for the Wild. He has shown early offensive production, utilizing his elite skating to impact transition play and log power-play minutes. If Buium can couple an impact role with 45-50 points and strong defensive metrics, he represents the type of proficient all-around rookie that Calder voters reward.

Jimmy Snuggerud (St. Louis Blues, +1400)

Snuggerud is priced as a quality mid-tier long shot, with +1400 odds highlighting the high risk/reward potential of the 21-year-old goal-scorer. His case is purely built on his proven ability to finish, having already flashed his wicked shot with a strong early start (multiple goals in his first few games). The value lies in his projected top-six deployment with the Blues. If Snuggerud becomes the team’s primary goal-scoring threat and finishes near the top of the rookie goal leaderboard, he could easily shorten his odds and enter the top-three conversation.

James Hagens (Boston Bruins, +2500)

Hagens is a true long shot at +2500, with his eligibility and chances being heavily dependent on immediate success after jumping straight to the NHL as a highly-touted rookie. The narrative is high-end potential, as Hagens is an 18-year-old center who set a scoring record at the U18 World Championships and was drafted 7th overall. However, his long odds reflect the monumental task of a teenager dominating the center position in his first professional year. For this to pay off, Hagens would need a surprise top-line role and an explosive, injury-free season.

Calder Memorial Trophy Winners (2015-Present)

The table below highlights every Calder Memorial Trophy winner since 2015.

Conclusion