Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.

Last week in Part 1, we looked at the top Calder Memorial Trophy candidates, awarded each year to the league's top rookie. This week, we will look at the second tier, which could still provide tremendous value for fantasy managers.

---

9. Zeev Buium, D – Minnesota Wild

Buium played four playoff games in 2024–25 after Denver University was eliminated from the Frozen Four. He ranked fifth in average time on ice but led the team in power-play minutes once he joined the Wild. It remains unclear who will quarterback the top unit in 2025–26, though Buium is a strong candidate. He is highly skilled defensively, excels in transition, and drives play effectively at even strength.

That combination gives him a chance to secure a top-four role quickly. If he earns power-play time, his ability to push pace and create offense could put him in Calder conversations. Buium is the eighth highest rated prospect in the TopDownHockey model. His upside is tremendous, whether or not he achieves it this season or not.

10. Gabriel Perreault, F – New York Rangers

Perreault's vision and offensive creativity are elite tools that could help him stick in the NHL right away, but his rookie season will depend heavily on how the Rangers deploy him. With a deep forward group ahead of him, he will need to earn trust quickly and show that his skating can keep pace at the NHL level. If he falters, time in the AHL is possible, but his hockey IQ, patience, and passing touch give him a chance to stand out even in limited minutes, especially if he sees secondary power-play time.

If Perreault secures a middle-six role, his playmaking ability could keep him in the Calder conversation, though his path to a consistent top-six job may take a season or two. He should be considered a strong dynasty hold with top-line upside, and in deeper redraft formats, he has sleeper appeal if he earns steady offensive deployment. Even if his rookie year comes with ups and downs, his long-term ceiling remains significant.

11. Yaroslav Askarov, G – San Jose Sharks

Askarov was featured in our recent rookie goalie article, but he warrants mention again here. No other rookie netminder has the same opportunity he does, as San Jose appears set to hand him the starter's crease. The challenge is obvious: the Sharks are unlikely to contend. If Askarov were to capture the Calder, it would mean he not only played at an elite level but also lifted San Jose well beyond expectations, pushing them into the middle of the standings. If the Sharks were to somehow qualify for the playoffs, Askarov would be the runaway favorite.

12. Max Shabanov, F – New York Islanders

Shabanov arrives in North America after an impressive KHL season, but the transition will be a major test. At 5-8, his lack of size raises questions about how his game will translate to the smaller ice, where time and space are limited. The Islanders successfully integrated Maxim Tsyplakov from the KHL last year, which provides some proof of concept, but Tsyplakov did not face the same size concerns at 6-3.

New York has room for Shabanov in its top six, giving him a legitimate opportunity to prove himself. Still, his Fantasy Hockey Life player card highlights some underlying issues, he struggles to win puck battles and drive play despite strong KHL point totals. That profile does not bode well for immediate NHL production. If he adjusts quickly, he could provide stretches of offense, but sustaining it over a full season looks unlikely, leaving him more of a longshot in the Calder race.

13. Rutger McGroarty, F – Pittsburgh Penguins

McGroarty brings excellent compete to the Penguins lineup, and with openings in the top six, he has a plausible path to Calder contention. His well-rounded game makes him valuable in multi-category formats, as reflected in his ability to contribute across shots, blocks, and hits. He's a safe dynasty asset with middle-six upside and a modest short-term outlook.

Early indications suggest he could get a look alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust, which would be an excellent spot to produce if he can hold the role. The bigger challenge is team context, the Penguins are trending downward and could move veteran pieces as the season progresses. That scenario would likely give McGroarty more ice time, but it could also leave him without the high-end talent needed to fully unlock his offensive potential. If he manages to stick with Crosby, he could flirt with Calder relevance, but more realistically his rookie year will be about establishing himself as a dependable middle-six contributor with strong long-term value.

14. Jonathan Lekkerimäki, F – Vancouver Canucks

Lekkerimäki is one of Vancouver's most intriguing prospects, with a lethal shot and strong offensive instincts. He suited up for 24 games with the Canucks last season and, according to Evolving Hockey, his impacts were modest. His calling card remains his shot, so for him to thrive he'll need to secure a role in a scoring position. The Canucks' top six is crowded, but a middle-six role is available and could give him a path to steady minutes and power-play usage.

If he can round out his game and do enough away from the puck, Lekkerimäki has the skill to push higher. A strong stretch of play could even see him sneak onto the top power play, where his release should immediately translate. If that happens, he'd legitimately enter the Calder conversation. Even without it, he's a name to keep in mind as a midseason pickup if his deployment trends upward.

15. Bradly Nadeau, F – Carolina Hurricanes

Nadeau got a brief NHL look late last season and impressed in the AHL, showing the scoring instincts that make him intriguing heading into 2025–26. Carolina has long been a team that generates plenty of chances but struggles to finish, and Nadeau's shot could help address that weakness.

If he earns a top-nine role and power-play time, he could carve out an impactful rookie season. Still, the Hurricanes tend to roll deep lineups, which may limit his opportunities. His finishing touch gives him sleeper appeal, but his Calder case depends on consistent deployment in scoring situations.

16. Jesper Wallstedt, G – Minnesota Wild

Wallstedt was featured in the recent goalie article, and while his most recent AHL season was not great, his technical skill remains undeniable. With a steady defense in front of him, he has the tools to excel quickly. If Filip Gustavsson falters or misses time, Wallstedt could catch fire and deliver meaningful fantasy value. Among rookie goalies expected to start in a tandem, he has the rawest skill, and Minnesota is one of the stronger teams likely to back a young netminder.

---

Closing Thoughts

There are plenty of viable Calder candidates who could make things interesting for Ivan Demidov. A hot stretch from a rookie goalie or a forward catching fire could quickly shift the race. At the very least, these players deserve a spot on your fantasy watch list, and in many formats, they're worth scooping up in the middle to late rounds of your draft.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more fantasy hockey analysis, or if there's a prospect, topic, or theme you'd like me to cover, follow and message me on X: https://x.com/VictorNuno12