The NHL Futures are always fun to look at for a few reasons. As a hockey fan, it’s a good way to lose money (like most betting). These odds provide a slight indication of what the public thinks about how the season will play out. And, they give casual hockey fans a reason to watch (and root for) something or someone random, like the San Jose Sharks, because they have another great rookie who is putting up great stats. The NHL Future that’s typically the hardest to predict is the Calder Trophy.
This season, however, there is a clear-cut favorite. Ivan Demidov is poised to run away with the award and is the prohibitive favorite at +120 odds (while the other top names are in the +1000 range or higher).
Demidov is expected to win the Calder and become the second player in a row from the Montreal Canadiens to take home the award. The last time that happened for those wondering was in 1967 and 1968 when the Boston Bruins had Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson win it in back-to-back years.
So, it’s Demidov or the field for the 2025-26 season. Who is the best bet, and does Demidov make sense? With the help of Covers, let’s take a look at this award and the names to watch.
The Case For Demidov (+120)
Just about everything is working in Demidov’s favor to win the Calder. It starts with his talent. He’s projected to become one of the elite players in the NHL, a top 10 forward who can single-handedly take over games. It’s early in his career, yet Demidov already looks like he’s capable of dominating, especially on the offensive end of the ice. He’s bound to be a power play regular for the Habs.
Better yet, Demidov is on a team on the rise. The Canadiens made the playoffs as a wild card last season and might be one of the best teams in the NHL this season. Without question, they’ll have an explosive offense with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky leading the top six while Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson operate from the point. Demidov slides into that and can take the offense up a notch while putting together impressive stats.
He plays the right wing position, which could be an obstacle. Cole Caufield plays the same position and is the top scorer on the Canadiens so it’s tough to replace him on the top line. If Demidov doesn’t unseat him and plays on the second line, he’ll have trouble piling up the stats.
There’s also a reason to avoid betting on Demidov to win the award. Yes, he’ll be a finalist but he’s not providing great odds or a good payout for an unpredictable award. It’s why it’s best as a bettor to look elsewhere for value.
Who Else Can Win The Calder?
It’s hard for a defenseman to win this award, making Lane Hutson the exception and not the rule. Of the past 10 winners, only three were defensemen, and to win it, they must have a historic season, especially offensively. Cale Makar won the award in 2020 with 50 points in 56 games while Brock Faber had 47 points and 4.2 defensive point shares in 2023-24 yet finished second behind Connor Bedard, putting the difficulty of the award for a defenseman into perspective.
That said, there are some big names to watch. Alexander Nikishin (+900) showed flashes in the playoffs and on the Carolina Hurricanes and is in a great spot to stand out. Zayne Parekh (+1200) is one of the top prospects in the NHL and is expected to have a great season with the Calgary Flames. Then there’s Matthew Schaefer, the true wild card since he was the top pick in the recent draft, and if he’s ready on day one, can take over games on the New York Islanders’ blue line.
The defensemen at the end of the day are hit or miss. The forwards are better bets. There’s Ryan Leonard (+1200), Jimmy Snuggerud (+1400), who is on a St. Louis Blues team on the rise, and Michael Misa (+1400). Misa is one who can surprise a lot of people since he can have a remarkable season and put up great stats if he’s playing with Macklin Celebrini.
My Bet: Ryan Leonard (+1200)
Leonard is in a great spot that will allow him to have a great rookie season. He’s on the Washington Capitals, who have a stacked forward unit from the top down, including Dylan Strome, Alexander Ovechkin, and Tom Wilson leading the top six. He can play on any line and still have a playmaker to help him out.
He’ll find plenty of opportunities to make a difference, and in a stat-driven award, he’ll stand out. Leonard will also be on one of the best teams in the NHL, so it bodes well for him. The Calder is often awarded to players regardless of where their team is in the standings, yet a great season from the Capitals, with Leonard playing a major role in it, only helps his case.
When it comes to one player or the field, there are only a few times when the best bet is to take the player. The Vezina Trophy and Connor Hellebuyck are one of them, and the Selke Trophy, when Patrice Bergeron won it every year, was another. The Calder Trophy is too unpredictable to take Demidov, and there are better payouts with other players.
It would be hilarious is Levshunov from Chicago won the Calder
I think the funniest scenario is a goalie coming on the scene and winning the award. After Dustin Wolf came close, imagine if someone steps up and wins it this time around. And nobody would see it coming
Or maybe Rinzel?
Askarov, Dobes or Soberblom look like possibilities, not counting a black sheep on a team with goalie issues or injuries.
Askarov seems like the best bet of that group since he can put up the numbers needed for the award. To be a goaltender who wins it, it’s about becoming the primary starter and leading a team to a great season. He can do that with the Sharks