標籤: rookies

Two Washington Capitals rookies were recognized for the 2025-26 Calder Trophy. Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourdiff both received top-12 votes for the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.

Leonard finished eighth in the voting with one third-place vote, four fourth-place votes and 19 fifth-place votes. Meanwhile, Sourdough finished in 12th place with a fourth-place vote and a fifth-place vote.

Meanwhile, New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer won this year’s Calder unanimously. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft did so by earning all 198 first-place votes.

Leonard made his NHL debut at the end of the 2024–25 season, recording one goal and an assist in nine regular season games and eight playoff games. He then returned for his first full NHL season and finished with 20 goals and 25 assists in 75 games.

Additionally, Leonard was a vital part of the lineup and helped spark the Capitals’ power play. Although he missed a period due to injury, he returned and led the team in goals by March.

Meanwhile, the Sourdough Capitals had a new addition via trade with the Florida Panthers. After some call-ups and time in the AHL he made quite an impact in his first full NHL season.

Following an injury to Pierre-Luc Dubois in late October, Sourdiff moved from the fourth-line wing to full-time centre. In 78 games, the 24-year-old player recorded 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman

The NHL has announced the winner of the Calder Trophy, given annually to the first-year player who makes the most impact, and although a few Montreal Canadiens players were in the running, the trophy was awarded to New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer.

It’s a fair decision, considering that Schaefer is an 18-year-old defenseman who somehow managed to score 23 goals. Full marks to the young blueliner for a fantastic year in an incredibly difficult situation.

Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks

Ivan Demidov was the runner-up for the award, having a remarkable rookie season where he recorded 62 points in 82 games, leading all rookies in scoring in the process.

That being said, it was not a close vote. Schaefer won every first-place vote, leaving Demidov to receive the majority of second-place votes.

Demidov was given 120 votes in second place, while Beckett Seneca (Anaheim Ducks) was given just 41 votes.

Interestingly, Canadiens netminder Jacob Dobbs received the fourth-most second-place votes, enough to finish fourth in all Calder Trophy voting.

Coming into the season, there was no guarantee that Dobbs would play more than a handful of games, and yet, he not only managed to take over as the team’s de facto starter, but he has also been their most valuable player in the playoffs.

Full voting table for the Calder Trophy for Best Rookie, won unanimously #island Defender Matthew Schaefer. pic.twitter.com/mlxsfErw9v

– NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) 13 May 2026

We should also note that Oliver Kapanen received some votes, and despite the fact that he is currently in the playoffs, it cannot be denied that he was the surprise story of the season for the Montreal Canadiens.

Playing the majority of the season alongside Ivan Demidov, Kapanen scored 22 goals in 82 games. Yes, Demidov gave them plenty of high-end scoring chances, but Canadiens history is littered with players who failed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, while Kapanen did a great job of complementing the team’s offense during his first season in the league.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

Ahead of the 2026 Major League Baseball season, there was a lot of talk about this year’s rookie class being historic. In the first month of the season, that has proven to be the case with a deep array of rising stars around MLB.

Let’s take a look at our rankings of this season’s best MLB rookies as May approaches.

1. Kevin McGonigle, 3B, Detroit Tigers

Entering the game on April 28, Detroit Tigers third baseman Kevin McGonigal leads all position players in Baseball Reference’s Wins Above Replacement (2.0) and he is third in FanGraphs’ WAR (1.4). He has been phenomenal at the plate, leading all rookies in batting average (.330) and wRC+ (over 100 plate appearances) this month. What also needs to be highlighted is the value he brings to the basepaths, as demonstrated by his 100th percentile baserunning run value (3). McGonigle is performing like an American League MVP candidate right now, so he’s the obvious pick to win AL Rookie of the Year.

2. Sal Stewart, 1B, Cincinnati Reds

One reason Sal Stewart is the top choice for National League Rookie of the Year this season is because of what he has done for the Cincinnati Reds lineup. Entering MLB games on Tuesday, Cincinnati ranked 23rd in runs scored (118) with the lowest batting average (.213) in baseball. Stewart is the only everyday Reds player with a BA of .275-plus; The majority of the Reds’ lineup is hitting .230 or worse. He contributed 26.9 percent of the team’s RBI and 17.8 percent of their total bases. With a .987 OPS with 9 home runs and 30 hits through 103 at-bats, Stewart is a big reason why Cincinnati is in first place in the NL Central and well above .500.

3. Nolan McLean, SP, New York Mets

While everyone justifiably expected Freddy Peralta to establish himself as the ace of the New York Mets rotation this season, it is rookie Nolan McLean who is taking over that role. The 24-year-old righty has made six starts this season and has a season-high 3 in earned runs, a game in which he also recorded double-digit strikeouts. McLean has the third-highest strikeout rate (33.3 percent) among starters, with the sixth-best WHIP (0.85) and sixth-lowest batting average allowed (.161). He’s everything New York hoped for and more, and it certainly looks like the NL Cy Young future is in his future.

RELATED: Insider reveals timeline for Francisco Lindor injury return

4. Munetaka Murakami, 1B, Chicago White Sox

We’re in a flashback of Joey Gallo and Adam Dunn. In his respective peak years, Adam Dunn averaged more than 40 home runs per season, struck out 28 percent of the time and boasted a walk rate of nearly 17 percent. A decade later, Joey Gallo averaged 40 homers per season with a 36 percent strikeout rate and a walk rate around 14 percent (2017–18).

Now let’s compare this to Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami in his first major test. He boasts the ninth-highest walk rate (17.5 percent) and leads MLB in home runs (12) through 29 games. Murakami is also hitting in 32.5 percent of his plate appearances. When he’s making contact, it’s amazing to watch. When he’s not there, Murakami swings as if he’s generating wind power.

5. Parker Messick, SP, Cleveland Guardians

Parker Messick is not only one of the five best MLB rookies this season, he is also underrated. The Cleveland Guardians aren’t getting any attention at all on a national level, which is par for the course, but Messick is quickly establishing himself as a front-line starter.

He pitched 8 hitless innings against the Baltimore Orioles on April 16, one of his great pitching performances in April. The Cleveland southpaw recorded 9 strikeouts with only 3 hits and 1 earned run in his Monday start against the Tampa Bay Rays. He has allowed the 11th lowest batting average (.177) on the season, recorded the eighth lowest WHIP (0.88) and all this has come with only 7 earned runs allowed in 36.1 innings of work.

6. JJ Weatherholt, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Weatherholt had a stellar season in his MLB debut, posting a .300 batting average in his first five games. He then suffered an early slump, going 6 for 36 with a .167 batting average in his next 45 plate appearances. However, during that span, he walked (eight) almost as much as he struck out (nine) and his composure at the plate paid off.

From April 14–27, Weatherholt has put up a 1.036 OPS and five of his 12 hits have gone from 15 yards. He has collected 9 RBI in that span, added one stolen base and still has a reasonable 10-5 K-BB line. Oh, we should also mention that Weatherholt ranks in the 98th percentile for shots above average (four) this season. In a down year, he would be a great pick for NL Rookie of the Year.

just missed: Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians; Moises Ballesteros, DH, Chicago Cubs; Connor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The New York Islanders’ 2025-26 season may be over, but everyone who had to be talked about on breakup day was Matthew Schaefer.

The 18-year-old defenseman’s historic rookie season is still generating the kind of attention and excitement among his teammates, who can’t wait to see his development in the years to come.

Schaefer is still five months shy of his 19th birthday, but he has tied Brian Leach’s nearly four-decade-old rookie record for goals by a rookie defenseman (23). The first pick in the 2025 NHL Draft played all 82 games, finishing second on the Isles in points (59) and leading the team in average time on ice (24:41). He was fourth in the NHL in TOI this season.

Matthew Schaefer had ‘an amazing year’ with the Islanders

Going from the first overall pick to the Stanley Cup playoffs is tough. But the islanders did almost the same.

After winning the NHL Draft Lottery and landing arguably the most impressive top-selected defenseman of all time, the Islanders were in playoff position for most of the season, largely due to Schaefer’s historic performances.

Although the Isles’ team faltered, Schaefer expressed surprise at his experience after completing his first NHL season.

“It was an amazing year,” Schaefer said. “Obviously, we wish we could have gone to the playoffs, but for me, overall, I’ve learned a lot and everyone has helped me a lot. I really enjoyed my first year on the island.”

Schaefer rightly said he began his year not knowing whether he would stay with the Islanders or return to junior with the Erie of the Ontario Hockey League. He was considered for Canada at the Milan/Cortina Olympics, but was ultimately passed over. They faced a coaching change from Patrick Roy to Peter DeBoer, who took over with only four games remaining in the regular season.

Throughout it all, Schaefer was brilliant on the ice; He was unquestionably the Islanders’ best skater throughout the season. At the age of 18 years and 36 days, he became the fourth-youngest player to score his first NHL goal since 2000, and then on April 9 equaled Leach’s record in the Islanders’ final win of the season – set in 1988–89, nearly 20 years before Schaefer was born.

Despite everything he’s been through, he’s still able to play mentally and physically.

“Obviously, there will be bumps and bruises,” Schaefer said, “but I still feel like I can play another 82.” [games]”

GM says Islanders ‘fortunate’ to have Matthew Schaefer

Islanders general manager Matthew Darche confirmed that Schaefer was ineligible to join Bridgeport of the AHL due to age restrictions. Schaefer called playing at the IIHF World Championships in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland “a possibility” and Darche indicated it would be his choice whether to represent his home country in Europe later this month.

Still, Schaefer is excited to have a little free time after a whirlwind year focusing on getting stronger.

“I don’t think this summer will be as busy as last summer,” Schaefer said. “I was everywhere last summer; last summer I couldn’t stay home for a week. This will be a good summer.”

Darche himself expressed hope that Schaefer could live the life of a normal teenager this off-season in Ontario.

“It’s almost like he’s going to ride bikes with his friends and buy gum at the convenience store,” Darche said.

But his teammates can’t wait to see Schaefer back on the ice after his breakout rookie season. The Islanders’ team full of experienced players – they had the seventh-oldest team in the NHL, even with newcomer Schaefer playing every game – got a jolt of youth this season.

“He’s an incredible kid,” said center Casey Cizikas, the Islanders’ longest-tenured starter with 35 years and 978 games. “He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and what he did this year was incredible. It was so fun to watch.

“It was so fun to be a part of, and to see his confidence in himself and his game was amazing, and there’s no one better than the person he is off the ice. He comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face, and he’s a lot of fun to be around. I’m glad he’s here.”

Cizikas isn’t the only one who appreciates what the islands have in Schaefer.

“To be honest, it’s pretty rare to see a young guy go through a year like this,” Darche said. “He’s been great. We’re lucky to have him.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

The Montreal Canadiens hosted the high-flying Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night, aiming to secure two very important points in the race to qualify for the playoffs.

It was far from a perfect game, as shown by the fact that rookie netminder Jacob Dobbs had to make over 40 saves, but in the end, Montreal was able to pull out a crucial 5–2 victory.

Let’s look at the highlights!

Nap first, hockey later

The Canadiens had a very bad start.

Or, to be more accurate, they failed to perform as the Hurricanes immediately jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

However, we’ve become accustomed to hubs requiring a certain amount of adversity before waking up, which is exactly what happened on Tuesday night.

Rookie Oliver Kapanen got the Habs on the board midway through the first period by scoring his 21st goal of the season.

A redirect from Kapanen keeps us on board!

A Kapanen redirect gets us on board!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/8MIDiy773m

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 24 March 2026

you know who

Mister Saturday Night is somewhat of a misnomer. Yes, it’s true that Cole Caufield loves to score on Saturday nights, but he also enjoys scoring on days ending with ‘y’.

Caufield scored his 44th goal of the year early in the second period to tie the game, with the usual suspects, Juraj Slafkowski and Nick Suzuki getting their names on the scoresheet via assists in the game.

Tie, courtesy of Cole Caufield!

Tie game, courtesy of Cole Coffield!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/mCLMqy0Zvz

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 25 March 2026

It appeared that Caufield had scored his 45th goal of the season moments later, but it turned out that the puck had deflected off Slafkowski before going in.

Nonetheless, the goal, which was Slafkowski’s 28th of the season, gave the Canadiens a delicate 3–2 lead heading into the second intermission. For the record, the Canadiens were outshot 26-15 in 40 minutes of play.

Habs take lead on Juraj Slafkowski’s goal pic.twitter.com/leCjB4Rkxw

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) 25 March 2026

rookie effect

With pressure mounting late in the third period, rookie Ivan Demidov capitalized on his breakaway opportunity with aplomb, putting the game out of reach.

As you can see in the video below, Demidov was clearly thinking about scoring a goal before the actual breakaway, and once he made his way into the offensive zone, it was already too late for the storm.

Gives up a great goal from Ivan Demidov on a breakaway #GoHabsGo Two goal lead! pic.twitter.com/RjfmwJeET5

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 25 March 2026

The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Thursday, facing the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Bell Centre, with puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

Washington, DC – Entering Tuesday night’s home date with the Detroit Pistons, the Washington Wizards have the NBA’s second-longest losing streak at 12 games. They also have the second-worst record (16-51), but four-time All-Star Trae Young is showing why next season will be different.

After Monday’s 126-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors, rookie wing Will Riley told ClutchPoints how 27 years old He has transformed the Wizards’ offense since making his debut for the team on March 5.

I asked Will Riley how Trae Young has impacted him as a player and the offense in general:

“Yeah, he’s an amazing player. It’s crazy to see it in person, I used to watch him all the time. Seeing the reads he makes shows how much attention he brings. The attention he brings… pic.twitter.com/43TLFAsX4v

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 17 March 2026

“Yeah, he’s an amazing player. It’s crazy to see it in person, I used to watch him all the time,” said the 20-year-old. “Just seeing the reads he brings shows how much focus he brings. The focus he brings allows him to find us on time and on target, so it opens up a lot of opportunities for everyone. He’s an amazing person and great teammate, too.”

Young is averaging 6.2 assists in just 20.8 minutes for Washington, which equates to one assist every 3.35 minutes. The former All-NBA honoree averaged an assist every 3.1 minutes for the Atlanta Hawks as he led the NBA with 11.6 dimes in 36 minutes in the 2024-25 campaign.

Young’s work so far with the Wizards doesn’t guarantee he’ll lead the league in assists again next year, but it is a preview of things to come. The former Oklahoma Sooner is using his offensive toughness to create open looks for the “Wiz Kids,” which makes their job easier and helps their development.

Will Riley reveals Trae Young opened ‘doors’

Riley also talked about what he has learned from Young so far.

“Reading off ball screens has been a main point of emphasis… making reads, snaking, being aggressive, trying to score first… it’s opened up a lot of new doors for me…” he said.

According to former Hawks G League scout Dylan Murphy, snacking is a pick-and-roll maneuver “in which the ball-handler moves away from his original direction between the screener and the screener’s defender.” Learning that move adds to Riley’s already deep bag of moves, like spins and fadeaways.

An example of how Young “opened new doors” for Riley was executing a hockey assist (pass for assist) on his three-point shot in the second quarter. Young brought the ball up the court before second-year guard Bilal Coulibaly set a screen on the logo and swung to the basket. During the roll, Young threw the ball towards Koulibaly, causing the defense to collapse inside. then the next player passed it A wide-open relay in the corner, who swept all three.

Beautiful sequence right here 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Uc02NxzIlr

– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) 17 March 2026

Head coach Brian Keefe referenced the game post-game when describing his favorite offensive moments from Young, Koulibaly and Riley, each of whom led the team with 21 points.

“I thought there were some good moments there. We had some good connections where the ball was moving, Trae was getting two, there was a play earlier when he hit Bilal on the short roll and he passed it to Will Riley,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons Trae is here, when he gets two he makes the right play. I thought we played him pretty well… You could see the passing skills of all three of them tonight.”

Young left Monday’s game with a quad contusion and was out on Tuesday, but he at least showed why Washington acquired him in five contests with the team in January. While no one knows how long he’ll last, giving the young core open looks and showing him new tricks provides invaluable experience.

For now, the Wizards are losing as much as possible to maximize their draft lottery odds as they try to get lucky in a class with superstar prospects Darin Peterson, AJ DiBuntsa and Cam Boozer. After hosting Detroit on Tuesday, they will do the same on Thursday before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

The Golden State Warriors suffered a huge loss in their matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. To recap, the Warriors were missing Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green, plus a long-term injury sidelined Jimmy Butler for an extended period of time. Even their leading scorer had to sit out for the second consecutive night in De’Anthony Melton’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.

But the Warriors still got back to winning ways; It was a team effort that led to the Dubs’ 133–112 win on the road. Eight different players scored in double figures for the Warriors, and it was rookie guard Will Richard who finished the night as the team’s leading scorer with 21 points on 9-15 shooting from the field and 2-6 shooting from deep.

Richard finished with five rebounds, six assists and three steals to round out a fine effort to lead the Warriors to the win. In doing so, Richard became the fourth rookie to have at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in a single game this season, joining Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Jeremiah Fears as the only players to do so, according to WillRichardMuse on X (formerly Twitter).

It has to be said that the absence of some key players for the Dubs gave Richard a chance to fill up the stat sheet. However, he has shown time and again that he can step up when given the opportunity, and that is exactly what he did.

Warriors’ troubles are increasing amid difficult weather

The hits have kept coming for the Warriors; Curry is currently dealing with a knee injury, and the man he got in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga hasn’t been able to play a few games in a row during his ongoing bout with POTS.

The Warriors will need more from their undrafted players these games, and if Richard can maintain this level of play he should earn himself more minutes.