The Calder Trophy is awarded annually to "the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the NHL " as selected by NHL general managers. Votes were cast after the conclusion of the regular season and prior to the start of the playoffs.

Other awards

Winner
	Dany Heatley, RW, Thrashers Led all rookies in points, assists, power-play points and shots.

Other finalists
	Kristian Huselius , LW, Panthers Huselius was third among rookies with 23 goals. He was second on the Panthers in points scored, while leading his club in goals scored.
	Ilya Kovalchuk , LW, Thrashers Kovalchuk was the first 18-year-old Calder since Trevor Linden in 1988. Kovalchuk led all rookies with 29 goals despite missing the final 16 games of the season due to injury.