The 2024-25 NHL season has come to an end, and it’s time to look back at the league’s most impressive first-year players. Every year, the Calder Trophy is awarded to the best rookie in the NHL, and this season has been packed with young stars making big impacts.
While there were many talented rookies, a few stood out more than the rest. Here’s a look at the top five picks on our unofficial ballot for this year’s NHL Rookie of the Year.
1. Lane Hutson, Defense—Montreal Canadiens
Why He Stands Out:
Lane Hutson was a game-changer for the Montreal Canadiens. He didn’t just perform well — he broke records. Hutson led all NHL rookies in points and ranked sixth overall among all defensemen in the league. He also tied the NHL’s rookie defenseman assist record with 60 assists, matching Larry Murphy’s all-time mark.
His smooth skating, sharp passing, and fearless attacking style helped the Canadiens push into the playoffs. While some fans debated whether he could already be part of the Norris Trophy talks, there’s no doubt Hutson was the most impactful rookie this season.
2. Macklin Celebrini, Center—San Jose Sharks
Why He Deserves a Nod:
Celebrini, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, proved why he was selected first overall. Despite missing about a dozen games, he still scored 25 goals and 63 points in his rookie season. What made Celebrini special wasn’t just his scoring — it was how mature and smart his game was.
Even on a struggling San Jose Sharks team, he stayed focused, helped drive the offense, and kept team morale high. He played like a seasoned pro, showing strength in puck battles, defensive play, and helping with breakouts. If he wins the Calder, it would be totally fair.
3. Dustin Wolf, Goalie—Calgary Flames
Why He Deserves Praise:
Wolf may not have stayed in the spotlight toward the end, but he had an excellent season. The young goalie quickly became Calgary’s number one choice in net and was often the only reason the Flames stayed competitive in games.
His calm, consistent performances made him a fan favorite. There were even talks of him getting a few Vezina Trophy votes — that’s how good he was. In most years, a season like his might’ve been enough to win the Calder.
4. Matvei Michkov, Right Wing—Philadelphia Flyers
A Season of Growth and Spark:
Michkov had an up-and-down year but still ended with an impressive 63 points, making him second in rookie scoring and first in goals. After John Tortorella was replaced as head coach, Michkov seemed to find his groove, finishing the season on a strong note.
With many key Flyers players traded away, Michkov stepped up and brought much-needed energy and creativity to the lineup. He ended up second in team points, behind only Travis Konecny, showing he could handle more responsibility.
5. Will Smith, Centre/Winger—San Jose Sharks
Late Season Surge:
Will Smith really turned it on in the final months of the season. He adapted to the NHL’s speed and began showing the creative flair he was known for — from slick stickhandling to smart passes.
He ended up fourth among rookie scorers and gave the Sharks a boost whenever Celebrini wasn’t on the ice. Smith’s strong finish helped solidify his spot on this list.
Honorable Mentions
A few other rookies also had strong showings this season but just missed the top five:
Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim Ducks), Marco Kasper (Detroit Red Wings), Logan Stankoven (Carolina Hurricanes), and Maxim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders) all had noteworthy performances.
The 2024-25 season gave us a fantastic rookie class filled with high-level talent. Lane Hutson’s historic performance from the blue line and Celebrini’s complete all-around game made the Calder race incredibly close. Dustin Wolf, Michkov, and Smith added their own impressive stories, showing that the future of the NHL is in safe hands. While only one will win the Calder Trophy, all five rookies had seasons worth celebrating.
