Last season, the San Jose Sharks saw Calder Trophy finalist Macklyn Secreini, along with Will Smith, who ranked sixth in the voting. As the 2025-26 season approaches, the Sharks are expected to have at least one Calder Trophy contender and possibly as many as three players with legitimate chances to earn end-of-season honors.
To clarify, the NHL defines a rookie as a player who has not played more than 25 NHL games in previous seasons, and no more than six NHL games in each of the past two seasons. This means players like Shakir Mukhamadullin and Collin Graf are no longer rookies, while Yegor Afanasyev and Cam Lund will be considered rookies this year. With that in mind, here are three Sharks rookies who could vie for the Calder Trophy this season.
Yaroslav Askarov is likely to be the Sharks’ starting goalie at the beginning of the season, ensuring he gets plenty of ice time. Having played only 16 NHL games so far—13 of which were during the 2024-25 season—he retains his rookie eligibility. Askarov has shown remarkable goaltending talent at the AHL level, and despite modest stats last year, many view him as one of the NHL’s top goaltending prospects. His ability to maintain high performance could place him in contention for the Calder Trophy, especially if he matches the level set by Dustin Wolf, last season’s runner-up.
Next, Michael Misa, the Sharks’ second overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, could make a significant impact if he secures a roster spot out of training camp. At 18, the Saginaw Spirit captain might choose to play in the NCAA or continue developing further, but should he impress during camp, he could quickly move up from a predicted third-line role to the top six under coach Ryan Warsovski.
Lastly, 19-year-old defenseman Sam Dickinson is aiming to be part of the opening night roster. After dominating the Ontario Hockey League last season, transitioning to the NHL is a challenge for any young defender unless they are an exceptional talent. While comparable to Calder winner Lane Hutson, Dickinson is younger at 19 versus Hutson’s 21, meaning his development curve could be steeper. He might struggle initially but could find his footing after a few months.
Given the depth of promising rookie talent, the Sharks have a strong chance of seeing one of their top players win the Calder Trophy in 2025-26. However, competition will be fierce, including contenders like Matthew Schaefer, Ivan Demidov of Montreal, and Ryan Leonard of Washington. For the Bay Area, the Calder Trophy race remains an exciting storyline, with fans eager to see if the Sharks’ new wave of rookies can claim the coveted award.
Fan Take: The Sharks’ rookie class offers a glimpse into the future of the team and potentially the NHL itself, showcasing young stars ready to make their mark. If one of these players captures the Calder Trophy, it could signal a thrilling new era for San Jose and raise the stakes for first-year players across the league.
