Miller’s Thoughts: Sharks Rookie Not Getting Enough Calder Hype

Being on the West Coast means some NHL fans miss watching the San Jose Sharks and rookie phenom Ivar Stenberg.

The 19-year-old has quickly gotten comfortable playing on North American-sized ice, and the offense is coming quickly. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky has already moved the winger to the top power-play unit, and it is working.

In eight games this season, Stenberg has six points (2 goals, 4 assists), and five of the points have come on the man advantage. At the same time, voters value 5v5 scoring, a power-play-scoring player, so far, like Stenberg can’t go unnoticed. Since moving to the left flank, the Sharks’ power play looks more dangerous than it has in the past three years.

Macklin Celebrini will always draw the most attention on the right flank, but with Stenberg becoming a bigger threat, teams must take notice. Will Smith moved to the bumper, where he and Celebrini seem to connect more often. But that also proves there’s a rotation possible with those three. Proof is Stenberg’s second NHL goal last night from the net front.

Stenberg’s skill might already be underrated. There is no shortage of confidence in the San Jose Sharks rookie, and almost every time he makes a dangle, it is completed. He has the patience with the puck that an 8-year NHL vet with his skills should have. His experience playing against grown men in Sweden has helped with this transition, and that can’t be a knock.

According to Covers.com, Stenberg’s odds to win the Calder Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year are +500. If you’re reading this in a place with legal sports betting, jump on the train now. Stenberg will only get better.

Over eight games, the Sharks have deployed the winger for 15+ minutes five times. His average TOI per game is 15:51, but with top power-play time, expect that number to get even higher. His six points are tied for second among NHL rookies. He’s also the only rookie with more than one PPG.

Only one player in San Jose Sharks history has won the Calder: goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. Celebrini finished 3rd in voting in 2025 and was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team.

If Stenberg continues this upward trend, his chances of becoming the second Calder winner in team history also rise.