Before the pandemic-shortened season, there was little reason to doubt that Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov would thrive in his 24-year-old rookie season. The youngest player to 100 goals in KHL history, Kaprizov dazzled and finished one vote shy of becoming the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since 1993. Few, if any, prospects enter the NHL with that level of surety.
But, because of last year’s limited games, several young players this season have displayed their talents and still retain their rookie status. A trio of 2019 U.S. blue chips—Cole Caufield, Trevor Zegras, Spencer Knight—sneak past the Calder eligibility cutoff as they compete with true newcomers seeking to make their mark on the 2021–22 season.