It’s the birth of a new era in Montreal.
Ivan Demidov has arrived, and the expectation is that he is going to add an award to his trophy case this season.
The Montreal Canadiens forward is a heavy favourite on FanDuel to win Rookie of the Year, priced at +190, that number comes with an implied probability of 34.48 per cent.
This comes just one season after defenceman Lane Hutson won the award in his rookie season with the Habs.
If Demidov goes on to win the award, they’ll be the first teammates to win the award in back-to-back years since Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson in 1966-68.
Ivan Demidov +190
Fans were given a sneak peek of the Demidov experience last season when he suited up for two regular-season games, scoring a goal and adding an assist.
The young winger then added two points in the Canadiens’ five playoff games.
The fifth-overall pick of the 2024 entry draft also had 19 goals and 49 points in 65 games for St. Petersburg SKA in the KHL.
Isaac Howard +1000
After being traded to the Edmonton Oilers during the off-season, Isaac Howard comes into the season second in betting odds to win this award.
Drafted in 2022, Howard has yet to make his NHL debut, putting up over a point per game with the Michigan State Spartans the last two seasons, winning the Hobey Baker Award last year.
With the trade to Edmonton comes the possibility of playing with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
“I think that’s an unreal opportunity. I don’t think you can get any better than that,” Howard said after the trade. “Those are two of the best players in the world; they could be the two best. It’s pretty incredible. I can’t wait to share the ice with those guys and pick their brain.”
Matthew Schaefer +1700
The No. 1 pick of the 2025 entry draft comes in at 17-1 to win the Calder Trophy this season.
In 17 games last season, Schaefer had seven goals and 22 points for the Erie Otters in the OHL.
Schaefer is looking to become the fourth defenceman to win this award since the start of the 2019 season.
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Here is a look at the rest of the market
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ivan Demidov | +190 |
| Isaac Howard | +1000 |
| Jimmy Snuggerud | +1500 |
| Zeev Buium | +1500 |
| Michael Misa | +1600 |
| Matthew Schaefer | +1700 |
| Alexander Nikishin | +2000 |
| Yaroslav Askarov | +2000 |
