Ivan Demidov: Top rookie scorer in 2025-26, according to NHL.com

Dose
Crédit: WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (93) waits for a pass beside Capitals goalie Logan Thompson (48) during game one of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals National Hockey League game on April 21, 2025 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ask any Canadiens fan who will win the Calder Trophy at the end of next season, and chances are they’ll say Ivan Demidov. The Canadiens’ rookie forward made his mark at the end of last season and during the playoffs, not to mention the fact that he has enormous potential.LNH.com is gradually unveiling its predictions for poolers ahead of the next campaign, and on Tuesday it was the rookies’ turn to get their predictions. And according to NHL.com, Ivan Demidov will finish next season with the most points among rookies.The official prediction is 58 points. However, Demidov will have to be wary of other players in this race, as other rookies have had good predictions. We’re talking here about Jimmy Snuggerud (45 points), Ville Koivunen (44 points) and Michael Misa (39 points). On defense, his former SKA teammate Alexander Nikishin leads the charge with a prediction of 34 points. Defensemen can take the lead in the Calder race with a smaller points tally. Guys like Sam Rinzel (34 points), Zeev Buium (33 points), Zayne Parekh (32 points) and Matthew Schaefer (27 points) will also be worth keeping an eye on. Demidov proved he has what it takes to play in the NHL. His two points in his first game on the Bettman circuit meant he finished with one point per game (in just two games, but hey). In the playoffs, he was a little quieter, with two assists in five games. While Demidov battles for the Calder, reigning Calder champion Lane Hutson will attempt to reach the highest heights among NHL defensemen.

After a 66-point season that ranked seventh among the league’s defensemen, NHL.com believes Lane Hutson will be able to repeat the feat by finishing in the same position for a second consecutive season [content-ads]

The good news for Hutson is that NHL.com is predicting a 69-point season for Hutson, three more points than last season. NHL.com is predicting another six-goal season for Hutson, but would add three assists to his total. Noah Dobson wasn’t as lucky as Hutson. The Habs’ new defenseman ranks 27th with a prediction of 47 points. Predictions are fine, but we can’t wait to see the real results at the start of the season. [spacer title=’Overtime’] – It suits him perfectly.

– David Reinbacher is ranked eighth on this list.

– Good luck to the players.

– Interesting.

– We didn’t expect this.