The Next Generation: The Calder Trophy Race Highlights NHL Rookies of 2024-25

San Jose, CA. — With the National Hockey League's 2024-25 season winding down and the Stanley Cup celebrations heating up, another race has reached its conclusion, which is the Calder Memorial Trophy. This year, we saw an influx of prospects who made us realize that the future of hockey looks bright. Let's take a look at the top 6 rookies that were in contention for the trophy! 

Lane Hutson

Courtesy of David Kirouac/Imagn Images

Lane Hutson, a rookie from the Montreal Canadiens, took the Calder Memorial Trophy with a staggering 1,832 votes. In his two years at Boston University, Hutson played 77 games, during which he accumulated 97 points, comprising 30 goals and 67 assists. His success immediately transferred to the NHL, where he played in 82 regular-season games with 60 assists and 6 goals, garnering 66 points. At one point, he led rookies in assists. Hutson even got the opportunity to play in his first playoff series, where he played in 5 games and had 5 assists. There’s no doubt that he got 1,832 votes when he controls the puck and is an elite skater. 

Dustin Wolf

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Going into second place, we have Dustin Wolf from the Calgary Flames. Wolf made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 season, and since then, he’s spent time going from the minor to major leagues with the Flames’ AHL team, the Calgary Wranglers. This 2024-25 season was the first year he has played the whole season with the Flames. Wolf has played a critical role as a goalie for the team, where he played in 53 games. He has won 29 games and has a .910% save percentage. Wolf has been so impressive due to his composure and being able to track the puck through heavy traffic. With his magnificent season, Wolf received 1,169 votes. 

Macklin Celebrini

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In third place, we have the San Jose Sharks' very own Macklin Celebrini. Coming out of Boston University, he obtained 64 points in 38 games, where he scored 32 goals and 32 assists. Celebrini also won the 2024 Hobey Baker Award, which is an award that recognizes the top hockey players in the NCAA. With many eyes surrounding his transition to the Sharks, he quickly showed his offensive talent. His first goal and first assists were on October 10 against the St. Louis Blues, which was the first game of the season. Following the end of the season, he played in 70 games with 25 goals and 38 assists, for a total of 63 points. Celebrini has found ways to score from all sides of the ice and has incredible control and skill. With 1,104 votes, many people thought that Celebrini would take the Calder Memorial Trophy, but one thing is true, and it is that the Sharks’ future is looking bright. 

Matvei Michkov

Courtesy of Matt Slocum/AP Photo

In fourth place, we have Matvei Michkov, a player from the Philadelphia Flyers. Michkov made his debut this season, where he played 80 games and gathered 63 points with 26 goals and 37 assists. After playing in the Kontinental Hockey League, his contract was terminated, and he then signed a three-year contract with the Flyers. Michkov gathered 645 votes, and a big reason for that has to do with his offensive skills and hockey IQ. While Michkov scores from different angles, his quick release is what has gotten him many goals into the back of the net. 

Cutter Gauthier

Courtesy of Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images

Heading into fifth place with 92 votes is Cutter Gauthier from the Anaheim Ducks. Gauthier was involved in a trade from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Jamie Drysdale and a second-round draft pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, a trade that shocked a lot of people in the hockey world. Before playing with the Ducks, he played at Boston College. With two years under his belt, he played in 71 games where he had 47 assists and 53 goals, totaling 100 points. His transition to the NHL was seamless as he played in 82 games, getting 20 goals and 24 assists, for a total of 44 points. Gauthier is not only a great offensive player, but he can also dominate in the defensive position. He has also found success in different tournaments such as the 2024 World Junior Championship, where the USA won gold. 

Will Smith

Courtesy of Dean Tait/Sport Shots

In sixth place, with 62 votes, we have Will Smith from the San Jose Sharks. While Smith only played one year at Boston College, he gathered 71 points with 25 goals and 46 assists in just 41 games. When he signed his entry-level contract, it took him a little while to gain momentum, but when he did, Sharks fans were excited to watch him play and see what his future would look like with the Sharks. At the end of the season, he played in 74 games with 18 goals and 27 assists, adding up to 45 points. While we’re looking at these players individually, it’s hard not to imagine how Smith and Celebrini will bring success and hope to the Sharks organization. 

These rookies did an outstanding job of handling the pressure and playing on a big stage. What do you think? Was there another rookie who deserved more recognition? Let me know what you think!