2026-27 NHL predictions, awards picks: Rangers Albert Smits is a long-shot worth backing to win the Calder Trophy

It’s hard to believe now, but Matthew Schaefer wasn’t the favorite to win the Calder Trophy on Opening Night last season.Heck, Schaefer wasn’t even the second choice.Ivan Demidov, who finished a distant second to No.

48 in the voting, was the runaway chalk at +185 on Opening Night.Behind him were Zeev Buium, Michael Misa, and Jimmy Snuggerud, all of whom were between +800 and 12/1.

Schaefer was 13/1.Seems crazy now, but it’s a reminder of just how volatile this market is.

A similar situation played out in 2024-25, too.That season’s rookie class was expected to be generational, with Matvei Michkov and Macklin Celebrini leading the way, but it was a different debutante, Lane Hutson, who took over the race and brought home the award.This year’s NHL rookie class may not be considered as elite as the past two, but there are a couple of clear headliners: Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone.McKenna, who was selected No.

1 overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, is a shoo-in to make the team out of camp and play in a top-six role.Martone is already a fan favorite in Philadelphia after he registered five points in 10 playoff games last spring.

The two are co-favorites to win the 2026-27 Calder Trophy at +300, just ahead of Sharks’ rookie winger Ivar Stenberg (+600), 2025 No.3 overall pick Anton Frondell (+900), and Cole Hutson (+900) of the Capitals.All five figure to be handed big roles this season, which is a critical part of handicapping this market, but there are a lot of other players who tick that box, too. And their prices are a lot more appealing:It flew under the radar because so much was going right for the Sabres last year, but Konsta Helenius was the goods in his brief spin with the big club.

He tallied four points in nine games during the regular season, and then added a pair of goals in four playoff contests.The former No.

14 overall pick passed the eye test, too, as he was a ball of energy in Buffalo’s middle six.Helenius was also a b...