The 2025 season Calder goes too … Week
As the 2024-25 NHL season barrels toward its conclusion, the Calder Trophy race has turned into one of the tightest and most fascinating battles in recent memory. We’ve got a quartet of rookies—Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens, Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, Dustin Wolf of the Calgary Flames, and Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers—making compelling cases for the league’s top rookie honor. But let’s cut through the noise: it would be highway robbery if anyone other than Lane Hutson hoists the Calder Trophy this year. Sure, the other three have had stellar seasons, but Hutson’s performance is on another level—especially when you consider he’s a defenseman rewriting the record books. Here’s why he’s my pick, even if I suspect NHL politics will crown Celebrini instead.
The Contenders: A Quick Stats Rundown
First, let’s look at Matvei Michkov of the Flyers. The 20-year-old Russian winger has been a revelation, piling up 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 points in 62 games as of March 25, 2025. He’s tied with Celebrini for the rookie lead in goals and sits third among rookies in points. His flair on the power play (three overtime winners!) and his knack for clutch moments have Flyers fans dreaming of a playoff return. Michkov’s having a great rookie year—no question—but the other three have simply outshone him in terms of their overall impact on their teams.
Next up is Dustin Wolf, the Calgary Flames’ pint-sized goaltender who’s been a brick wall all season. In 42 games, Wolf boasts a 23-14-5 record, a 2.52 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage, with three shutouts to his name. He’s been the backbone of a Flames team that’s clinging to a playoff spot in the brutal Western Conference. Without Wolf, Calgary might not even be in the postseason conversation—his value to his squad is undeniable.
Then there’s Macklin Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks’ first-overall pick in 2024. The 18-year-old center has lived up to the hype, racking up 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points in 58 games. That’s a 0.83 points-per-game clip, and he’s doing it on a rebuilding Sharks team that’s lean on talent. Celebrini’s two-way game is mature beyond his years—he’s a standout talent who, in most seasons, would be a slam-dunk Calder winner.
Finally, we have Lane Hutson, the Montreal Canadiens’ diminutive defenseman who’s taken the league by storm. As of now, Hutson leads all rookies with 53 points (5 goals, 48 assists) in 64 games. That’s right—a defenseman is outscoring every rookie skater, and he’s doing it while averaging nearly 23 minutes a night. His 0.80 points-per-game pace is historic for a rookie blueliner, putting him in rare company alongside legends like Bobby Orr and Brian Leetch.Why Hutson Stands Above the Rest
Why Hutson Stands Above the Rest
Michkov’s season is impressive, no doubt. His offensive wizardry has been a lifeline for a Flyers team desperate for scoring punch. But when you stack him up against Celebrini, Wolf, and Hutson, his impact feels less transformative. Celebrini, Wolf, and Hutson are carrying their teams in ways Michkov isn’t—they’re not just producing; they’re defining their squads’ identities.
Celebrini is a phenom. His hockey IQ, creativity, and ability to drive play on a Sharks team that’s otherwise a work in progress are jaw-dropping. In any other year, he’d be a layup for the Calder. But this isn’t any other year. Dustin Wolf complicates things further. The Flames’ netminder isn’t just good—he’s the main reason Calgary’s in the playoff hunt. His stats might not scream “Vezina,” but his 23 wins and .915 save percentage have kept a middling Flames roster competitive. It’s hard to argue that any rookie skater is more valuable to their team than Wolf is to Calgary. If the Flames sneak into the postseason, his case gets even stronger.
And yet, Lane Hutson trumps them all. By season’s end, he’ll have more points than any other rookie skater—projected to finish around 65 points if he maintains his pace. For a defenseman, that’s unheard of. We haven’t seen a rookie blueliner put up a stat line like this in forever—maybe ever, depending on how far he takes it. Hutson’s not just racking up assists; he’s quarterbacking Montreal’s power play, driving possession (55.8% five-on-five shot share over his last 20 games), and logging top-pair minutes. He’s doing it all while playing a position that’s exponentially harder to dominate as a freshman than forward or even goalie.
The Politics Problem: Celebrini’s Edge
Here’s where I get cynical. As much as Hutson deserves the Calder, I suspect Macklin Celebrini will win it—and not entirely on merit. Don’t get me wrong—Celebrini’s play has been astounding, and he’s absolutely worthy of the conversation. But the NHL loves a narrative, and Celebrini fits the bill perfectly. The league sees him as a potential face of the franchise—a future Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin who could carry the torch for the next generation. Handing him the Calder pads that reputation, giving him an early accolade to match those legends (Crosby won in 2006, Ovechkin in 2008). It’s a marketing move as much as a hockey decision.
Hutson, for all his brilliance, doesn’t have that same “chosen one” sheen. He’s a second-round pick, a small-statured defenseman on a Canadiens team that’s not yet a contender. His season is arguably better than Celebrini’s—more points, tougher position, comparable ice time—but the NHL’s bias toward high-profile forwards (especially No. 1 picks) could tip the scales. Wolf’s case, meanwhile, might get overlooked because goalies rarely win the Calder (Steve Mason in 2009 was the last), and voters tend to favor flashy stats over quiet indispensability.
My Verdict: Hutson or Bust
If I’m picking, it’s Lane Hutson, no hesitation. His production as a rookie defenseman is unprecedented, his impact on the Canadiens is immense, and he’s outpacing every skater in the race. Celebrini’s a superstar in the making, and Wolf’s a playoff lifeline, but Hutson’s season is the rarest and most remarkable of the bunch. It’d be a travesty if he doesn’t win—highway robbery of the highest order. Still, I won’t be shocked if the NHL’s political machine hands it to Celebrini, banking on his future stardom. Here’s hoping the voters see past the hype and reward the best rookie, not the best story. Lane Hutson’s my choice—let’s see if justice prevails.
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