The Calder Memorial Trophy finalists have been announced, showcasing the best rookies of the NHL season. Calgary's Dustin Wolf leads the pack with impressive stats, including a league-high 29 wins and three shutouts for the Flames, despite the team narrowly missing the playoffs. San Jose's Macklin Celebrini made waves, scoring 25 goals and 38 assists in his debut season, becoming the third-youngest rookie to lead his team in scoring. Montreal's Lane Hutson, a defenseman, made history as he topped rookie scoring with 66 points, making him the fourth defenseman in NHL history to do so.

Wolf's 2.64 goals against average and ability to perform under pressure earned him the first Calder finalist spot for Calgary since 2015. Celebrini, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, broke multiple Sharks rookie records despite missing some games. Hutson's historic assist tally matches a long-standing record and highlights his significant impact this season, marking Montreal's first finalist since 2013. With such compelling performances, each finalist presents an enticing narrative for fantasy hockey enthusiasts heading into future seasons.