Legendary hockey reporter Stan Fischler writes a weekly scrapbook for NHL.com. Fischler, known as "The Hockey Maven," shares his humor and insight with readers each Wednesday. This week examines a group of elite NHL rookie prospects seeking varsity roles while comparing them to one of the all-time rookie success stories that began exactly 70 years ago.

The NHL's rookie harvest is one of the most bountiful in years, which is why trying to predict a winner for the 2026 Calder Trophy is a form of hockey roulette. You may win, but don't bet on it.

The trick is figuring who can make the leap. Only one player from the 2024 NHL Draft played the full 2024-25 season, Macklin Celebrini , a Calder finalist who led the San Jose Sharks with 63 points (25 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games.

A look at t

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