This year’s NHL rookie class is giving hockey fans a thrilling Calder Trophy race.
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf solidified themselves as the likely finalists for the award, despite some very impressive seasons from other freshman NHLers. We ranked that trio last month, but the rest of the class deserves some attention this time.
Let’s take a look, in no particular order, at the rest of the rookie class for the 2024-25 NHL season.
Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
67 games, 20 goals, 27 assists, 47 points
Michkov is exactly what the Flyers hoped for. He’s been an offensive dynamo with improved two-way efforts despite some inconsistent moments throughout the year. The relationship with coach John Tortorella has been about as good as they could have hoped, with some tough love.
Michkov has shown some really impressive moments of relentless off-puck play to blend with his elite skill. Only Celebrini has scored more goals this season among the rookie crop, with 21.
Despite Appearances, Tortorella Loves Coaching Flyers Rookie StandoutIf you’ve watched the Philadelphia Flyers this season, you wouldn’t be faulted for believing that John Tortorella has had a miserable time coaching rookie Matvei Michkov.
Cutter Gauthier, LW, Anaheim Ducks
68 games, 13 goals, 21 assists, 34 points
Gauthier hit his stride in the second half of the season. He’s tied with Will Smith and Huston for the lead in rookie scoring since the 4 Nations Face-Off, with 12 points in 14 games.
Gauthier began to adapt to the pace of the NHL game, and he’s ascended the lineup for the Ducks as of late. The Philadelphia Flyers’ fifth-overall pick in 2022, whose trade request was granted last year, is a heavy shooter who could be a sneaky good breakout candidate for next season. He will likely reach a 40-point rookie campaign.
Will Smith, C, San Jose Sharks
60 games, 13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points
Smith has always been known for his dynamic playmaking, and it’s starting to show up in the NHL. He’s also tied for second among rookies in goals since the 4 Nations Face-Off, with five in 11 games.
While San Jose sits at the bottom of the standings, the vibes around the franchise are immaculate, thanks in part to their young stars, Smith and Celebrini.
There is still plenty of room to grow, and finding out if Smith will be a full-time center in the long term will be a work in progress, but his growth from October to today is promising.
Logan Stankoven, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
63 games, 10 goals, 21 assists, 31 points
Stankoven is one of the most energetic and high-motor rookies in the rookie class, and he was the key piece heading back to the Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade with the Dallas Stars.
With 29 points in 59 games in Dallas and two points in four contests since the trade, Stankoven needs some time to get used to his new surroundings. We may not see him be fully comfortable until next season, but his style of play should fit right in with the Hurricanes. Tenacious and skilled, Stankoven should be a key contributor in the middle-six for the Hurricanes into the playoffs.
Logan Stankoven And The Harsh Realities Of An NHL TradeIt sometimes gets lost in all of the noise, how much a trade can impact a player.
Marco Kasper, C/LW, Detroit Red Wings
63 games, 13 goals, 14 assists, 27 points
The Red Wings have needed a player who can play up and down the lineup and help elevate those around him by being flexible from a stylistic standpoint.
Kasper has played on the left wing on the top line alongside Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin or down the middle with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. He’s played down the lineup in a defensive role and meaningful minutes on the penalty kill.
Kasper doesn’t have the eye-popping counting stats to get into the Calder conversation, but he’s been excellent overall.
Drew Helleson, D, Anaheim Ducks
42 games, four goals, six assists, 10 points
The fact that Helleson doesn’t put up points will always make him a secondary or tertiary part of the conversation among Anaheim’s young talent, but his steady defense should be appreciated.
Helleson plays a physical game and doesn’t try to do too much with the puck. He tracks play well in his own end and moves the puck to skilled teammates effectively. He’s found a way to be a positive influence on the ice with a bad team. He and Gauthier are tied for the team lead in goals-for percentage at 54.45 and 54.47, respectively, according to evolving-hockey.com.
Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Florida Panthers
59 games, 13 goals, 12 assists, 25 points
The Panthers are unsurprisingly one of the NHL’s best teams this season, but the back half of their season is full of injury troubles. Matthew Tkachuk hasn’t played since the 4 Nations Face-Off, and new acquisition Brad Marchand hasn’t suited up for the team, either.
That’s given Samoskevich the chance to move up the lineup, and the highly skilled right winger has looked fantastic. His puckhandling and energy have been a nice addition to the top six and top power-play unit. He’s been a dual-threat offensive presence that will likely end up down the lineup come playoff time, giving the Panthers the depth needed to win the Cup (again).
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