Every year, it seems like the NHL’s rookie class gets better and better.
asserted
class → seem → ?
In 2023, we saw the arrival of Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson; the next year, we got introduced to Macklin Celebrini, Lane Hutson, and Cutter Gauthier; and last season was the coming-out party for Matthew Schaefer and Ivan Demidov.
asserted
season → see → Schaefer
The 2026-27 debutantes have big skates to fill, and it’s unlikely any player in this group will match what we saw from Schaefer last season, but there is reason to believe that this year’s crop of rookies will be the deepest we’ve seen in a long time.
asserted
we → have → time
That means the race for the Calder Trophy will be wide open.
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race → mean → Trophy
The bookmakers at bet365 Sportsbook believe that there are two clear favorites to win the Calder: Philadelphia’s Porter Martone and Toronto’s Gavin McKenna.
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bookmakers → believe → Calder
It should surprise nobody that these two wunderkinds top the board.
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wunderkinds → surprise → board
Martone turned plenty of heads last spring when he posted 10 points (4G, 6A) in nine contests in the regular season and then added five more in 10 playoff games.
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he → turn → games
The No. 6 overall pick will almost certainly land a top-six role with Philadelphia out of the gate, and he’s already proven he’s up to NHL speed.
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he → land → speed
With 19 games of high-stakes NHL action already under his belt, it’s sensible that the market has pegged Martone as a +270 favorite.
asserted
market → ’ → favorite
The price is too short for my liking in an award that is extremely volatile, but I can’t argue with the logic of putting Martone in the catbird seat.
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I → argue → seat
It’s much more of a guessing game with McKenna.
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It → ’ → McKenna
Selected No. 1 overall this June by the Maple Leafs, McKenna certainly has the skill to be an impact rookie, but his size is a concern.
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size → select → skill
Generously listed at 170 pounds, the Whitehorse, Northwest Territories native will have to prove he can handle the rigors of an 84-game NHL season.
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he → list → season
All of that uncertainty makes his +300 price quite unappealing.
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price → make → uncertainty
The good news about having two players priced this short in a volatile market is that it means you will be able to grab some lofty numbers on other rookies with a real shot at being on the ballot:
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you → have → ballot
2026-27 Calder Trophy picks, best bets
Viggo Bjorck, Winnipeg Jets (40/1, Fanatics)
I’m having a hard time seeing why Viggo Bjorck isn’t listed among the favorites to win this award.
asserted
Bjorck → have → award
The Jets have made it pretty clear that the 18-year-old Swede will get every chance to be the team’s No. 2 center, which gives him a massive edge over plenty of other rookies who are toss-ups to even make their club’s Opening Night roster.
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who → make → roster
Getting the opportunity is one thing, but Bjorck also seems poised to take it and run with it.
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Bjorck → get → it
The No. 8 overall pick from the 2026 Draft has not looked out of place in preseason play, and has the potential to become one of the stories of the league this season.
Albert Smits, New York Rangers (150/1, Caesars)
Like Bjorck, Albert Smits seems like he will get every chance to claim a regular role for the Rangers.
uncertain
he → look → Rangers
The 18-year-old was touted as the most NHL-ready defenseman in this year’s draft, and he’s backed up that claim with a strong start in camp and in his first preseason game.
uncertain
he → tout → game
That shouldn’t be a surprise, as he was a standout for Latvia at the Olympics, so he’s already proven he can hold his own against the best players in the world.
Smits may not produce the offensive numbers needed to make noise in this market, but that’s baked into this generous price.
uncertain
that → prove → price
The Russian netminder posted a .919 save percentage in 39 games in the AHL last season, and he didn’t look out of place during a five-game stint with the big club.
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he → post → club
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With only Arturs Silovs standing in his way for playing time, the door is wide open for Murashov to take over the blue paint in Pittsburgh.
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Murashov → check → Pittsburgh
If you’re wondering why Murashov’s odds are so high, the reason is simple: The last goaltender to win the Calder Trophy was Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008-09.
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goaltender → wonder → 2008
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry.
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Leboff → trust → industry
He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
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punters → use → sports
The Aporia
