Looking ahead to the coming 2026-27 NHL season, there could be an incredible rookie class entering the league full-time this year. And, excitingly, the Chicago Blackhawks could have two players who could factor in the voting for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.
Blackhawks rookies Anton Frondell and Roman Kantserov could both be among the players vying for the top rookie honor. Frondell joined the Blackhawks late last season and showed well on the wing and at center. With Connor Bedard missing the first month or so of the season because of his shoulder injury, the door is open for both of them to get more ice time — and have more eyes on their performance.
The Blackhawks are banking on both of them to inject offense into the lineup this season. The problem is Bedard missing the start of the season; he’s been the primary driver up front for Chicago during his three years in the NHL. That opportunity could elevate the two rookies. It could also present some harder matchups. As always, we should expect rookies to struggle at times as they adjust to the league. But they have played at the highest levels in Sweden and Russia, respectively, before coming to the NHL.
They’ll be trying to become the first Blackhawks player since Bedard to win the Calder Trophy. Here are the players we view as the primary competition for Frondell and Kantserov for the Calder Trophy this year.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Porter MartonePorter Martone, RW, Flyers
After a terrific single season at Michigan State that saw him accumulate 25 goals and 25 assists in 35 games, Martone made the jump to the NHL and posted 10 points (4 goals 6 assists) in the final nine games of the regular season. He added five points in 10 postseason games. Martone is a big, physically mature forward who plays a smart game. And he’s going to be in a terrific situation in Philly this year.
Ilya Protas, C, Capitals
How about a 20-year-old center listed at 6-6 and 225 pounds joining a lineup that’s added Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch — and brought back Alex Ovechkin? He’ll join his brother, Aliaksei, up front in Washington. He got the promotion call late in the regular season and put up four points in four games. The Caps are going to have a scary offense, and he could benefit from the depth.
Gavin McKenna, LW, Maple Leafs
If McKenna gets to ride shotgun with Auston Matthews (or John Tavares) and William Nylander in Toronto, that’s a remarkably good situation for a young player with great offensive instincts. There’s always going to be eyeballs on a No. 1 overall pick. The number of eyeballs on a No. 1 overall pick in Toronto is a multiple of a multiple of the normal circumstances. If he puts up decent numbers, the ROY votes will follow.
Ivar Stenberg, LW, Sharks
He’s going to slide into the Sharks’ top six right away and play alongside either Macklin Celebrini or Michael Misa; skating with Celebrini would be a more favorable position with Misa having appeared in only 45 NHL games to date. As we discussed leading up to the draft, he’s likely the most NHL-ready prospect in the Class of ’26 and will join a talented (but fairly young) forward group.
Konsta Helenius, C, Sabres
Helenius isn’t likely a big of a name as the first four names mentioned here, or even some included in our honorable mentions list below. But he got some run with the Sabres early last year and again in the playoffs and showed quite well. With Tuch departed, there’s an opportunity for him to play a meaningful role in Buffalo this season. I like the spot for him to be a factor.
Honorable mention
Bradly Nadeau, LW, Hurricanes Cole Hutson, LHD, Capitals James Hagens, C, Bruins Viggo Björck, C, JetsTop Blackhawks Rookie Seasons
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