Beckett Sennecke’s Hat Trick Tightens Calder Trophy Race with Ivan Demidov
The Calder Trophy race just got a whole lot more interesting, thanks to a breakout performance from Anaheim Ducks rookie Beckett Sennecke. On a night when the Ducks clawed their way to a 4-3 overtime win against the Calgary Flames, Sennecke lit the lamp three times - his first career NHL hat trick - and in doing so, vaulted himself to the top of the rookie goal-scoring leaderboard.
With 18 goals now to his name, Sennecke leapfrogged Montreal Canadiens forward Oliver Kapanen, who had been pacing all rookies with 16. But it’s not just the goal tally that’s turning heads - Sennecke’s three-point night also brought his total to 41 points, putting him just two behind the current rookie scoring leader, Ivan Demidov.
Demidov, the electric Russian winger for the Canadiens, has been a fan favorite since he arrived in Montreal last April, and his rookie campaign has lived up to the hype. Through 52 games, he leads all NHL rookies with 43 points, along with 24 penalty minutes and a plus-eight rating. He’s done it despite a revolving door of linemates and a modest workload - averaging just 18.1 shifts and 15:24 of ice time per game.
That’s where things get even more impressive. Demidov’s production comes with significantly less ice time than his Calder competitors.
Sennecke, for example, is averaging 21.7 shifts and 17:09 per night, while defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders logs a hefty 26.9 shifts and 24:04 per game. In other words, Demidov is squeezing elite-level production out of limited minutes - a testament to his efficiency and impact.
It hasn’t been an easy road for Demidov, either. He began the season alongside fellow rookie Kapanen and Alex Newhook, a trio that found early chemistry before Newhook went down with an injury.
The Canadiens’ coaching staff experimented with different combinations - including a brief stint with Kirby Dach that ended almost immediately due to injury - before eventually circling back to Juraj Slafkovsky, who has since become Demidov’s most consistent linemate. Through it all, Demidov has remained a constant offensive presence.
Sennecke, meanwhile, is surging at the right time. His hat trick not only gave the Ducks a dramatic comeback win, but it also signaled that he’s not just chasing the Calder - he’s in it.
With 41 points in 52 games, he’s neck-and-neck with Demidov and closing fast. The Ducks winger has been steadily climbing the rookie ranks, and with his current pace, he’s projected to finish the season with around 65 points.
Demidov is tracking toward 68 points, which would be right in line with recent Calder-winning forwards - over the past decade, rookie forwards who’ve won the award have averaged 67 points. Last season, Lane Hutson took home the trophy with 66, while Moritz Seider (2021-22) and Cale Makar (2019-20) each won it with 50 points.
Makar’s campaign came in a COVID-shortened season, but the point stands: defensemen have a tougher path to Calder glory. Only three blueliners have claimed the award in the last 10 years, compared to seven forwards.
That’s what makes Schaefer’s candidacy so intriguing. The Islanders defenseman isn’t just putting up points - he’s logging big minutes and playing a pivotal role on both ends of the ice. With 55 points projected by season’s end, he’s right in the mix, especially given the historical context for defensemen in the Calder race.
Still, if Demidov wants to bring the Calder back to Montreal for the second straight year, he may need to find another gear. Sennecke is coming on strong, and Schaefer’s two-way impact can’t be overlooked. With all three rookies playing at such a high level - and with 30 games or so still to go - this Calder Trophy race is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory.
One thing’s clear: Demidov, Sennecke, and Schaefer aren’t just future stars. They’re already making their presence felt - and the race for rookie of the year is far from over.