Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer leads Calder Trophy finalists
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaeferthe primary choose within the 2025 draft, has been named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, given yearly to the NHL’s prime rookie.
Schaefer, Montreal Canadiens ahead Ivan Demidov and Anaheim Ducks ahead Beckett Sennecke have been revealed as finalists for the award in the course of the NHL draft lottery Tuesday.
Schaefer, 18, is the heavy favorite to win the award after having a transformative impact on the Islanders on and off the ice. He completed with 23 objectives, tied for first amongst rookies, and 36 assists for 59 factors — breaking Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Housley’s report for factors by an 18-year-old defenseman.
It was one in all a number of new requirements set by Schaefer, who additionally tied Hall of Famer Brian Leetch for goals scored by a rookie defenseman.
Schaefer was nice on his personal finish, too, skating to a plus-13 and incomes 24:41 in common ice time, together with 1:06 per recreation on the penalty kill.
His boundless enthusiasm and charisma modified the vibe for a franchise in want of a jolt. The Islanders challenged for a playoff spot within the Eastern Conference earlier than fading late within the season.
Schaefer was so good, so shortly that he performed himself into the dialog for a Team Canada roster spot for the Winter Olympics earlier than lacking the lower.
“I watched him a lot on video as we were scouting for the Olympics,” Islanders coach Pete DeBoer stated. “I know the offensive stuff, but for a young player how defensively aware he is and how much he works at the defensive piece of the game too. He’s a really, really special player.”
Demidov, 20, was one of the dazzling offensive rookies within the league this season. He scored 19 objectives and added 43 assists for 62 factors and a 0.76 factors per recreation common, which led all first-year gamers. He arrived from the KHL on the finish of final season and performed for Montreal within the playoffs after which delivered on that promise this season.
Sennecke, 20, was tied with Schaefer for the rookie lead in objectives (23), tying Trevor Zegras for the third-most objectives by a Ducks rookie in franchise historical past. Sennecke averaged 17:27 per recreation, together with 2:21 per recreation on the ability play. He was drafted third in 2024 by Anaheim.
Schaefer is attempting to grow to be the second straight defenseman and third up to now 5 seasons to win the Calder Trophy. Lane Hutson of the Canadiens received it final season, and Moritz Seider received it in 2022 for the Detroit Red Wings.