2025-26 NHL Futures: Can anyone challenge Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov?

The 2025-26 NHL season is only two weeks away, so it’s time to start diving into the futures market.

Up next, is the race for the Calder Trophy. Montreal’s Ivan Demidov leads the way as a +175 favourite, but there are plenty of contenders hot on his heels.

Let’s get into it.

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Calder Trophy favourite: Ivan Demidov

Ivan Demidov instantly wowed fans with a goal and an assist in the first period of his NHL debut last April. However, Demidov only played two games in the regular season (five in the playoffs), so he keeps his rookie status this season and enters the year with a leg-up in the Calder race as one of few rookies with some NHL experience.

The 19-year-old Demidov holds immense talent with exceptional skill and there’s no doubt that he will be an elite level player in the NHL very soon. He’s creative on the ice and he’s not afraid to take risks, the biggest attributes when it comes to becoming a star in the NHL.

After Lane Hutson won the Calder with a 66-point season as a defenceman last year and with Demidov poised to make a run for the Calder this season, the future is very bright in Montreal.

Calder Trophy dark horse: Matthew Schaefer

It may seem odd to call the first overall draft pick a dark horse, but that’s what Matthew Schaefer is with +1300 odds to win the Calder. Shaefer is actually tied with Zeev Buium and Michael Misa for the second-shortest odds, so if anything, that just tells you how highly oddsmakers think of Demidov.

Shaefer, who just turned 18 this month, didn’t enter training camp as a lock to make the Islanders opening night roster, but he’s looked great in camp and in New York’s first preseason game. His skill and vision should make him a dynamic defenceman for years to come and there’s an opening for a top defenceman to rush the puck alongside Mathew Barzal now that Noah Dobson is in Montreal.

While New York could slow-play Schaefer’s development, it looks like his play in training camp is going to earn him a spot on the roster. Defencemen could take home the Calder in back-to-back years.

Last 10 Calder Trophy winners