A new crop of NHL rookies is ready to compete for the Calder Trophy during the 2026-27 season.
Will the winner be a No. 1 overall pick as it was during the 2023-24 (Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard) and 2025-26 seasons (New York Islanders' Matthew Schaefer)?
Will the winner be a defenseman as it was the past two seasons (Montreal Canadiens' Lane Hutson in 2024-25 and Schaefer)?
Or, will the winner have taken a different path to a strong first full NHL season?
USA TODAY Sports takes a look at the top players who could win the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year:
NHL Rookie of the Year favorites
5. Defenseman Cole Hutson, Washington Capitals
Hutson got an audition last season with the Capitals, recording 10 points in 14 games after spending two seasons at Boston University. He's Lane Hutson's brother and shows the same skill
level. He'll get opportunites with Rasmus Sandin out.
4. Anton Frondell, Chicago Blackhawks
He was named the best forward at the world junior championships after winning a gold medal with Sweden. Frondell played in Sweden's top league and had 12 points in nine games with Chicago at the end of last season. He'll get his share of ice time, especially with Bedard out early.
3. Forward Gavin McKenna, Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs are giving the 2026 No. 1 overall pick a chance for early success. He has been skating with John Tavares and William Nylander in training camp and is on the second power play unit.
2. Forward Ivar Stenberg, San Jose Sharks
The Sharks jumped up to No. 2 in the 2026 draft during the lottery and grabbed a player who was in the mix for first overall. Stenberg played in the top Swedish league, getting 33 points in 43 games. He also was a standout in the world junior championships, especially in the gold medal game.
1. Forward Porter Martone, Philadelphia Flyers
A Flyers player has never won the Calder Trophy, and he could be the first. Martone got solid NHL experience at the end of the 2025-26 season after finishing his junior hockey career. He played nine regular season games, recording 10 points. Then he played two round of the playoffs, finishing with five points in 10 games. He's built for the NHL at 6-foot-3, 216 pounds.
Others to watch: Roman Kantserov, Blackhawks; James Hagens, Bruins; Konsta Helenius, Sabres; Viggo Bjorck, Jets; Ilya Protas, Capitals.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL rookie of year favorites as talented group competes for Calder Trophy
