2026-27 NHL predictions, awards picks: Rangers’ Albert Smits is a long-shot worth backing to win the Calder Trophy

Nypost · Aug 09, 2026 · 718 words · By Michael Leboff

NHL Rookie Evaluation Sports Betting Analysis

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What to know about NHL Rookie Evaluation

It’s hard to believe now, but Matthew Schaefer wasn’t the favorite to win the Calder Trophy on Opening Night last season.

Claims checked 18

Techniques found 1

Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center0%

Right100%

1 source compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

It’s hard to believe now, but Matthew Schaefer wasn’t the favorite to win the Calder Trophy on Opening Night last season.

Why it matters

Heck, Schaefer wasn’t even the second choice.

Common ground

Ivan Demidov, who finished a distant second to No.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this NHL Rookie Evaluation story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that McKenna, who was selected No. 1 overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs?
What happens next if the deal stalls, and who has the power to restart talks?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/09/betting/2026-27-nhl-predictions-awards-picks-range…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 18 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 8

verified Verified By Reference 3

check_circle Corroborated 3

help Insufficient Evidence 2

info Single Source 2

verified

Claim 1: “McKenna, who was selected No. 1 overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia and multiple news sources confirm Gavin McKenna was selected 1st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2026 NHL Draft.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 NHL entry draft was the 64th draft for the National Hockey League. The draft was held on June 26–27, 2026, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The first three selections were Gavin McKenn…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NHL_entry_draft

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Gavin McKenna (born December 20, 2007) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). McKenna was selected by the Maple …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_McKenna

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Toronto Maple Leafs, officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Leafs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Maple_Leafs

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 2: “The former No. 14 overall pick”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 3: “He tallied four points in nine games during the regular season, and then added a pair of goals in four playoff contests.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding Konsta Helenius's regular season or playoff statistics.

schedule

Claim 4: “The big Latvian has already played two stints in Finland’s top league, as well as one in Germany’s”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 5: “The two are co-favorites to win the 2026-27 Calder Trophy at +300, just ahead of Sharks’ rookie winger Ivar Stenberg (+600), 2025 No. 3 overall pick Anton Frondell (+900), and Cole Hutson (+900) of the Capitals.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The search results for the betting odds provided irrelevant information about stimulus checks and paving slabs; no evidence for 2026-27 Calder odds was found.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The direct payments included in the $900 billion stimulus package are a lifeline for millions of Americans. Here's when those payments will arrive.
https://fortune.com/2021/01/01/stimulus-update-when-to-expec…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — © 2022-2026 Tailscan, Inc. All rights reserved.
https://tailscan.com/tailwind/backgrounds/gradient-color-sto…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — We have a range of large format 900 x 600 mm paving slabs available in a range of materials (sandstone, limestone, granite, slate and porcelain). 24hr Shipping Available.
https://www.pavingdirect.com/paving-slabs/900x600

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Claim 6: “Anton Frondell [was the] 2025 No. 3 overall pick”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources, including a news report and a Wikipedia reference for the 2025 draft, confirm Anton Frondell was the 3rd overall pick in 2025.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The 2025 NHL entry draft was the 63rd draft for the National Hockey League. The draft was held on June 27–28, 2025, and it took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NHL_entry_draft

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Frondell, No. 3 pick in 2025 NHL Draft, signs entry-level contract with Blackhawks. 2 days ago. SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED! Anton Frondell, the third overall pick in the 2025 #NHLDraft, has signed his …
https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZj…

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web search NEUTRAL — Anton Frondell is a well-rounded prospect who has legitimate NHL traits and size already as an 18-year-old. The thing that stands out the most from his game is his hockey sense and ability to find the…
https://thehockeywriters.com/blackhawks-draft-anton-frondell…

schedule

Claim 7: “and was one of the best players for Finland at the World Championships, scoring the golden goal and notching six points.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 8: “Konsta Helenius, Buffalo Sabres (18/1, bet365)”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding Konsta Helenius's betting odds.

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Claim 9: “Matthew Schaefer wasn’t the favorite to win the Calder Trophy on Opening Night last season.”

CORROBORATED

Web search results explicitly state that Matthew Schaefer was 22-to-1 at FanDuel on NHL Opening Night, confirming he was not the favorite.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League (NHL)." It is named after Frank Calder…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calder_Memorial_Trophy

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Matthew Schaefer (born September 5, 2007) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected first overall…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Schaefer

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025–26 New York Islanders season was the 54th season in the franchise's history. It was their fifth season in UBS Arena. On April 5, 2026, head coach Patrick Roy was fired with four games remaini…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025–26_New_York_Islanders_sea…

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 10: “Behind him were Zeev Buium, Michael Misa, and Jimmy Snuggerud, all of whom were between +800 and 12/1. Schaefer was 13/1.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Search results mention Zeev Buium, Michael Misa, and Jimmy Snuggerud as candidates or players, but do not provide the specific betting odds (+800 to 12/1) or Schaefer's specific 13/1 odds.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025 NHL entry draft was the 63rd draft for the National Hockey League. The draft was held on June 27–28, 2025, and it took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The first three selections …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NHL_entry_draft

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of current National Hockey League (NHL) Western Conference team rosters:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NHL_Western_Co…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — In a unanimous Calder Trophy vote, New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was declared the winner with 198 first-place votes. Not much of a surprise there, as this kid will win multiple Norris…
https://bleedinblue.com/snuggerud-finishes-fifth-in-unanimou…

+ 2 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 11: “Helenius was also a beast in the AHL, registering 63 points in 63 games”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 12: “Viggo Björck, Winnipeg Jets (40/1, bet365)”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 13: “Albert Smits, New York Rangers (100/1, bet365)”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 14: “That season’s rookie class was expected to be generational, with Matvei Michkov and Macklin Celebrini leading the way, but it was a different debutante, Lane Hutson, who took over the race and brought home the award.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources (NHL.com and others) explicitly confirm that Lane Hutson won the Calder Trophy for the 2024-25 season.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Lane Hutson (born February 14, 2004) is an American-Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the s…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lane_Hutson

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+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 15: “Björck, who was picked No. 8 overall at the 2026 NHL Draft”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 16: “Martone is already a fan favorite in Philadelphia after he registered five points in 10 playoff games last spring.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The search results for 'Porter Martone' returned irrelevant results about beer and airlines; no hockey-related evidence for this specific player's stats was found.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — After 1860, as the popularity of porter and the aged taste began to wane, porter was increasingly sold "mild". In the final decades of the century, many breweries discontinued their porter, but contin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter_(beer)

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Porter Airlines (stylized in all lowercase as porter) is a Canadian airline headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport ('Toronto–Billy Bishop') in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. [10] It is the thir…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter_Airlines

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Redeem for flights and earn benefits faster than any other Canadian airline. Craft your own adventure in Fredericton. The all-new Montréal Metropolitan Airport - now open! Love flying Porter? Buy pack…
https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/

verified

Claim 17: “Ivan Demidov, who finished a distant second to No. 48 in the voting, was the runaway chalk at +185 on Opening Night.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

While Ivan Demidov is identified as a player for the Montreal Canadiens, there is no evidence in the provided search results regarding his specific betting odds (+185) or his finishing position in the Calder voting.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Beckett Flynn Sennecke (born January 28, 2006) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a right winger for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted third overal…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beckett_Sennecke

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ivan Alexeyevich Demidov (Russian: Иван Алексеевич Демидов; born 10 December 2005) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a right winger for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey L…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Demidov

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 18: “He was also a force to be reckoned with for Latvia at the 2026 Olympics, playing nearly 19 minutes a night”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.