The Top 5 Calder Candidates for the 2024-25 NHL Season

The Toronto Maple Leafs have only had one single player win the Calder Trophy in the history of their franchise, post NHL expansion.

Before the NHL expanded beyond six teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs had several Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) winners, including Frank Mahovlich and Brit Selby.

But since expansion, it's just Auston Matthews, who won the award in 2016 after being picked first-overall and then scoring four times in his debut NHL game.

Matthews led the Leafs to the playoffs and they haven't missed since.

Despite a playoff losing record that has all but rendered their regular season success invisible, Matthews has lived up to every single bit of the hype that comes with being the top pick and winning the Calder Trophy.

Last year's top pick, Connor Bedard, also won the Calder as the NHL's best rookie. His career looks to be on track to be almost as exciting as Matthews, and that of course leads us to this year's top pick.

But the top pick doesn't always win the Calder.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have one player who might have something to say about it, and there are at least three other players who hope to have a shot as well.

Here are your top five candidates for the Calder Trophy in the 2024-25 NHL season.