2025-26 Calder Trophy December Rankings: Goalies steal the show

Dec 4, 2025, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 4, 2025, 08:55 EST

2025-26 Calder Trophy December Rankings: Goalies steal the show

Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

We’ve completed just about two months of NHL hockey – and it’s going to take a miracle for someone to overtake Matthew Schaefer for the Calder.

But the league’s rookie race saw a big shake-up in November. Jakub Dobes, Emmitt Finnie, Jimmy Snuggerud and Arseny Gritsyuk were moved out of the top 10, while Jesper Wallstedt, Yaroslav Askarov, Artyom Levshunov and Matthew Wood found their way in. The two new goaltenders, in particular, are coming off massive months, while Beckett Sennecke became the new leader in freshman scoring.

Here’s a look at the latest NHL Calder Trophy rankings as we kick off December:

1. Matthew Schaefer, LHD (New York Islanders)

Only three rookie defensemen have ever surpassed the 20-goal barrier: Brian Leetch (25), Barry Beck (22), and Dion Phaneuf (20). Schaefer is on pace for 24, while trending for 57 points overall. It would be fewer than the 66 put up by Lane Hutson last season, but Schaefer is absolutely smoking the field with 24:14 minutes a night – no other freshman is even playing 20. Schaefer’s defensive metrics are incredible, and the Islanders would be a total disaster without him. It’s Schaefer’s award to lose right now.

2. Beckett Sennecke, RW (Anaheim Ducks)

With a class-leading 14 points in 15 games in November, Sennecke was the NHL’s most productive rookie last month. Only one of those points came on the power play, as well. He’s making so much happen with his 16:16 in ice time, which was the top of any forward. Sennecke is currently riding an eight-game point streak, which tied Paul Kariya’s mark for the longest by a rookie in team history. Sennecke’s combination of size, strength, skill and hockey sense has allowed him to play a big role for the surging Ducks, with absolutely no chance of him getting sent back down to the OHL (or the Canadian World Junior team).

3. Ivan Demidov, RW (Montreal Canadiens)

The Canadiens’ second-liner is no longer on top of the rookie scoring lead, but he’s still in the conversation. He had 10 points in 13 games in November while shooting at a bonkers 22.2 percent. Still, his average ice time fell below 15 minutes, which is surprising given his line designation. He has rarely been used in the latter stages of tight games, with some fans claiming coach Martin St. Louis is sheltering him too much. Regardless, it’s been an impressive rookie campaign for the Russian winger, who looks to be a big part of the Canadiens’ attack moving forward.

4. Jesper Wallstedt, G (Minnesota Wild)

Not only was Wallstedt the top rookie goalie last month, but he was also one of the best puckstoppers, period. He went a perfect 6-0-0 in November with a .967 save percentage and three shutouts. In fact, he’s now up to four shutouts in his past six games, marking the first time someone has managed to do that in 87 years. It’s an incredible stat and a big reason why the Wild are legit contenders right now. Wallstedt will likely continue to share the net with Filip Gustavsson in a way that’ll hurt Wallstedt’s Calder odds. But given that he hasn’t lost in regulation yet, you can’t deny how impactful he’s been.

5. Yaroslav Askarov, G (San Jose Sharks)

Askarov was one of three goaltenders to win eight games in November, going 8-2-0 with a .947 save percentage. It’s a big reason why the Sharks have remained in the playoff conversation against all odds this season. Askarov started the season off a bit soft but has clearly taken over the No. 1 job over Alex Nedeljkovic. The big, athletic keeper has been one of the NHL’s top goalie prospects over the past half-decade, and he’s starting to come into his own in a big way. We’ll see if Askarov can continue his red-hot play into December.

6. Alexander Nikishin, LHD (Carolina Hurricanes)

Nikishin’s lack of offense won’t help his Calder Trophy hopes, but his defensive play has been solid. Defensively, only Schaefer has been as effective at shutting opponents down while averaging around 20 minutes a night. The 6-foot-4 blueliner plays on the penalty kill, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play on the power play at some point over the next few years. The Hurricanes have dealt with injuries on their blueline all year long, but Nikishin has, by all accounts, made the team tougher to play against every single night.

7. Artyom Levshunov, RHD (Chicago Blackhawks)

Levshunov had 22 points in 52 games with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs last year. At this point with Chicago, he’ll blast past that in no time. Levshunov had nine points in 14 games last month, with his eight assists good for second in the NHL among rookies. He’s playing a lot for the Hawks and has even become a big-time contributor on the power play. He’s still going through some growing pains, but Levshunov started to look really comfortable in November and should continue to see his opportunities rise as the season wears on.

8. Matthew Wood, LW (Nashville Predators)

At this time last year, Wood was getting set to battle for a spot on Canada’s World Junior team – only to get cut, despite being a potential returnee. Since then, the 6-foot-4 winger has become an integral part of Nashville’s attack, playing at a 28-goal, 44-point pace despite missing seven games to start the season with an injury. Nashville’s season has been… ugly, to say the least. But Wood establishing himself as an everyday contributor this early in his development has to be a nice surprise. Could he be the lone 30-goal scorer out of this rookie crop? That would be huge for his Calder hopes, if so.

9. Oliver Kapanen, C (Montreal Canadiens)

Injuries to Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook thrust Kapanen into second-line duty, and he definitely impressed last month. He had six points in 13 games while averaging 13:45 a night. He’s tracking for more than 20 goals and 40 points, which is far beyond initial expectations. Even though Kapanen would likely play less on a fully healthy Canadiens squad, his work ethic will continue to open up opportunities for him. He’s not going to finish as a Calder finalist, but like Emil Heineman a year ago, Kapanen has found ways to become a useful contributor.

10. Zeev Buium, LHD (Minnesota Wild)

Buium has admitted to growing pains this year, and it’s been obvious at points. But the two-time World Junior champion has found ways to become a consistent contributor at both ends of the ice despite not being a fixture on the power play. Buium has put up decent numbers offensively, and once he figures out how to iron out his defensive mistakes, he’ll be totally fine. Overall, his development has been solid, and we’ll see if he can add some consistency.

Also considered: Colten Ellis, G (Buffalo Sabres); Emitt Finnie, LW (Detroit Red Wings); Jakub Dobeš, G (Montreal Canadiens); Arseny Gritsyuk, RW (New Jersey Devils); Arturs Silovs, G (Pittsburgh Penguins); Ryan Leonard, RW (Washington Capitals)

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