To mark the quarter mark of the 2025-26 regular season, NHL.com is running its second installment of the Trophy Tracker series. Today, we look at the race for the Calder Trophy, given annually to the best rookie in the NHL as selected in a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Matthew Schaefer is enjoying a pace not many could have predicted.

The 18-year-old defenseman with the New York Islanders has been a record-setting machine after being the No. 1 pick at the 2025 NHL Draft, ranking third among all rookies with 15 points (seven goals, eight assists), second with seven power-play points and first in average time on ice (23:00) in 23 games.

"If I'm a fan, I'll pay to watch him play. There's no doubt about it," Islanders coach Patrick Roy said in October when Schaefer w

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