Welcome fantasy managers to another edition of the Eastern Edge. This week we are going to take a closer look at this year’s race for the Calder trophy between two of the games brightest young stars in Matthew Schaefer and Ivan Demidov. A Montreal Canadiens roster that is loaded with fantasy assets and a Pittsburgh Penguins team that still has some sneaky good fantasy value within its ranks. Let's get to it!

The Calder race for the league’s top rookie has been rather captivating all year long with several names having entered the fray such as Matthew Schaefer, Beckett Sennecke and Montreal Canadiens phenom Ivan Demidov. Each has made a very compelling case for consideration throughout the first half of the 2025-2026 NHL campaign, with all three demonstrating why they were top five selections in their respective draft classes.

Matthew Schaefer is almost single handedly refusing to allow the New York Islanders organization to think about any kind of teardown or rebuild. The 18-year-old defensemen is enjoying an absolutely incredible rookie year putting up some ridiculous numbers in the process as Schaefer's goal scoring totals rival those from some of the game's greats.

On the season, Schaefer's totals are quite impressive regardless of fantasy format with the young blueliner offering fantasy manager solid coverage across the board (28PTS in 42GP, 13PPP, 113SOG, 58BLKS) all while manning the Islanders top power play unit and playing almost 24 minutes a night. It's no surprise that the dynamic defenseman is the current front-runner for the award – what Schaefer is accomplishing in that position and at his age is nothing short of incredible.

The fact that two of the top three rookies reside in the Eastern Conference has only added to the hype surrounding both Schaefer and fellow phenom Demidov. Schaefer's exploits and offensive production have been well documented and rightfully so, however, Demidov has been on quite a heater himself over the past number of weeks with the slick Russian posting 23PTS in his last 24GP which has vaulted the talented winger to the top of the rookie scoring race at the midway point of the NHL campaign (36PTS in 42GP).

The Montreal Canadiens roster continues to be a great source of fantasy production with not only the aforementioned Demidov, but several other solid options both at forward and on defense. Team captain and newly minted Olympian Nick Suzuki leads the way for this young group playing at over a point per game (1.10PPG – 90PTS pace) alongside sniper Cole Caufield who himself is rocking at just under a point per game pace (0.95PPG – 78PTS pace).

Big hulking winger Juraj Slofkovsky is enjoying a breakout campaign as well with most of his damage coming after a move to the team's second line with the defensively responsible Oliver Kapanen and Demidov. On the year, Slafkovský has fashioned 32PTS in 42GP, however it's his recent play that is making wave with the 6'3" 225lbs Slovak registering 12PTS in his last 8GP while also offering fantasy managers great coverage when it comes to bangers / cat leagues.

On Montreal's blueline, the über-talented Lane Hutson is proving that his Calder win last year was no fluke as the diminutive defenseman sits third in scoring amongst rearguards at a point per game pace (42PTS in 42GP). Meanwhile, off-season acquisition Noah Dobson has quietly played at a 53-point pace while manning the Canadiens second power play unit. (1:37PPTOI)

Those of you who used up a roster spot to either keep or select Victor Hedman this past draft season, I feel your pain. I did just that by deciding to hold on to Hedman as one of my keepers over the off-season, even at 35 years of age the fact he remained a staple of Tampa Bay's first power play unit offered solid value on its own let alone his production at five on five.

However, with the current run that fellow teammate Darren Raddysh is on, Hedman may be hard-pressed in replicating his usual totals. Since Hedman's injury, Raddysh has put up 16PTS in 12GP. Furthermore, Raddysh for all intents and purposes has been the waiver wire pick of the year having produced an eye-popping 34PTS in 35GP – 7PTS in his last 3GP while filling in admirably for the injured Swede.

The Pittsburgh Penguins may not be the juggernaut they once were, however, this group still offers some great value from a fantasy perspective throughout the lineup. It all starts of course with team captain Sidney Crosby who continues to defy father time as the now 38-year-old is enjoying another point-per-game campaign (47PTS in 41GP, 1.15PPG) along with being named to Canada's Men's Olympic hockey team. Crosby's running mate Bryan Rust has to be one of the best value plays league-wide considering his ADP (152) as the American winger has posted some impressive totals again this year (36PTS in 39GP, 8PTS in his last 7GP). Blue liner Erik Karlsson is having another productive year having posted 31PTS in 41GP, 5PTS in his last 4GP while manning the Penguins top power play unit.

Future Hall-of-Famer Evgeni Malkin has been quite productive as well (when healthy) as the big Russian has (29PTS in his 26GP, 1.12PPG). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is getting some much-needed secondary scoring from the likes of Anthony Mantha (29PTS in 41GP, 0.71PPG), Justin Brazeau (20PTS in 27GP, 0.74PPG) and Rickard Rakell (15PTS in 25GP, 0.71PPG) which is clearly helping the cause.

Any fantasy managers looking to the waiver wire for streaming options / injury replacements at the forward position should look no further than Washington Capitals winger Justin Sourdif (9PTS in his last 4GP) who has been hot of late playing on a line with Ryan Leonard (5PTS in his last 4GP) and Connor McMichael (6PTS in his last 4GP). All three offer some decent value regardless of format.

That's it for this week folks, keep an eye out for my Weekend Waiver Wire column every Friday morning over at the Goalie Post for streaming options as it relates to upcoming games this weekend.

Thanks for reading and feel free to follow me on X @mikeouellet9 or BlueSky @mikeouellet9.bsky.social

See you all again next Tuesday!