Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Devils Rookie Arseniy Gritsyuk Boldly Challenges Canadiens' Ivan Demidov for Calder Trophy

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 4:36 PM ET

Arseniy Gritsyuk is preparing for his first season in the NHL, and now the Devils rookie has challenged fellow Russian Ivan Demidov for the Calder Trophy.

The 2025/26 Calder Trophy race is set to be one of the most exciting in NHL history, with the likes of Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Zayne Parekh, Ivan Demidov and others all battling it out to follow up Lane Hutson's impressive 2024/25 campaign.

For many however, it's Ivan Demidov that is the favourite after a record breaking season for a rookie in the KHL a year ago, and given the talent around him in Montreal, that certainly makes sense.

Gritsyuk's Confident Mindset Ahead of His NHL Debut

However, there's one name out there that many are overlooking, and that's New Jersey Devils rookie Arseniy Gritsyuk, who was a fifth-round pick of the team back in 2019, with the 24-year old rookie now set to take the NHL by storm.

The Russian winger has over 200 KHL games under his belt, and after tallying 44 points a season ago with SKA St. Petersburg, he comes to the NHL with no lack of confidence, as he addressed the Calder Trophy race in a recent interview.

'Well, why go then? I'm not going there as a spectator.'

How the Devils' Prospect Could Impact the Calder Trophy Race

At 24-years of age, Gritsyuk has the experience to make an immediate impact in the NHL after scoring 16, 15, 19 and 17 goals in the KHL over his last four seasons, and with the attention all on Demidov, he can quietly put together a good season without people paying much attention.

There's no lack of talent around him in New Jersey either, so if Gritsyuk gets the opportunity to play significant minutes next season, don't be shocked to see him as a finalist for the Calder Trophy come seasons end.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: