One rookie to watch on all 32 NHL teams in 2025-26
The newest NHL season is already upon us.
We’re a few days into the newest campaign, giving us an early look at what every team is capable of. It’s way too early to panic if things are going bad, and it’s too early to look too deeply into things like line chemistry, breakout candidates and more.
For the game’s next young stars, the start of a season is extra special. That’s why we’re looking at one prospect to watch on all 32 NHL teams. Some aren’t eligible for the Calder due to age or previous experience. Still, we’re including them as long as they haven’t played a full NHL season and have fewer than 50 games of NHL experience thus far.
The NHL released the 32-team final roster list on Tuesday morning just prior to the opening puck drop. Not every team has a rookie on their initial roster, but they might have someone in waiting ready to push up sooner rather than later.
So, let’s look around the league:
Anaheim Ducks: Nathan Gaucher, C, 21
Not every prospect is going to be an absolute burner. Sometimes, you just need guys who know how to play a certain role. That’s where Gaucher comes in. The rugged center brings a nice 6-foot-3 frame, good footwork and an unrelenting forecheck that makes him so tough to defend against. As a bottom-six forward, Gaucher is detail-oriented enough to play a variety of roles in the NHL, and he has a good enough shot to make himself useful, too. I don’t expect him to be much of a point-producer in the NHL, but he’ll be a great energy guy.
Boston Bruins: Fraser Minten, C, 21
Minten made the Toronto Maple Leafs out of training camp in 2023-24, which was a surprise at the time. Now, two seasons later, it looks like he might be an NHLer for good. The Bruins have struggled to find the right center depth for the past few years, and Minten might be exactly what the team needs at No. 3 behind Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt. The 21-year-old was one of Boston’s best players at the Buffalo Prospects Challenge, and had a decent preseason, too. Whether he sticks around the full season or not is one thing – but he has a solid future ahead, nonetheless.
Buffalo Sabres: Colten Ellis, G, 25
The Sabres’ crease is a bit crowded, but with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen out with an injury, the team wants all the depth it can get. Drafted 93rd overall in 2019 by the St. Louis Blues, Ellis has yet to play an NHL game, but has performed well in the AHL and ECHL. He’s coming off his best season to date, registering a 22-14-5 record with three shutouts and a .922 save percentage with the Springfield Thunderbirds. Alex Lyon has the edge to start the season for Buffalo, but Ellis has a chance to prove he can be an NHL backup – either in Buffalo, or elsewhere. He might not be big, but Ellis makes up for it with his speed. We’ll see how the 25-year-old adapts to the toughest challenge of his career.
Calgary Flames: Zayne Parekh, RHD, 19
Parekh impressed onlookers throughout the preseason, receiving praise from coach Ryan Huska, specifically regarding his defensive game. He’s set to be one of the top contenders for the Calder Trophy this year in a campaign full of quality defenders. Parekh is still eligible to play in the OHL but has absolutely nothing to prove at this point, having posted some mind-bending numbers in Saginaw over the past three years. Look for Parekh to ease into his playing time as the season begins, but it won’t be long until he’s playing north of 20 minutes a night.
Carolina Hurricanes: Alexander Nikishin, LHD, 23
History has shown us that being a bit older can help in the Calder fight. That’s why Nikishin – someone who was a star in the KHL for just under half a decade – should squarely be involved in the hardware bout this season. Nikishin finally joined the Hurricanes for the playoffs last season after years of fans awaiting his arrival. He has quickly become one of the most exciting defensive prospects, and one who should get top-four time right out of the gate. I expect some growing pains as he adjusts to the speed of the NHL, especially on the physical side. But at 6-foot-4, and with his extreme skill, he shouldn’t have too much difficulty catching up quickly.
Chicago Blackhawks: Sam Rinzel, RHD, 21
The Blackhawks have one of the best pipelines in hockey, and could see as many as five prospects see notable time with the big club this year. Rinzel, a 6-foot-4 defender, has a huge frame, but he also proved in college he can dominate with the puck. He took like a fish to water to close out the 2024-25 NHL season, and I don’t expect anything different this year. I’m not sure his offensive stylings will carry over to the NHL, but Rinzel will likely be relied on more and more as the season wears on. Don’t be surprised if he’s the top Blackhawks defender by the end of November.
Colorado Avalanche: Gavin Brindley, RW, 21
Brindley looked excellent throughout the preseason with his new club. Acquired over the offseason from Columbus, the small, but skilled forward has received quite a bit of praise from coach Jared Bednar. Despite his 5-foot-8 frame, his nonstop motor has been on full display, and he’s been active around the net just about every night. He struggled in the AHL last year, so a move to the NHL right away feels a bit risky. But you can’t deny his energy, something that would prove fruitful in Colorado’s bottom six.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, 21
Last year was an excellent one for LDBB, who had 53 points in 61 games to finish sixth in AHL scoring among U-22 players (and five points off the lead). Del Bel Belluz also impressed in the NHL, producing at just more than half a point per game in limited duty. Del Bel Belluz spent time at both center and the wing this year, but I feel like he got better – and more dangerous with the puck – once he moved down the middle. His skating has improved a bit, but there’s still work to go if he wants to have the desired speed and general mobility needed to thrive in the NHL. I see someone with middle-six potential, and I think he’ll be full-time in the NHL before too long – and, hopefully, he’ll stick around for a bit longer.
Dallas Stars: Justin Hryckowian, LW, 24
Hryckowian might be one of the more off-the-board options on this list. But the Stars have one of the weakest pipelines in hockey, starting the year with no rookies with the big club. The 24-year-old from L’Île-Bizard, Quebec was a total late bloomer, playing prep hockey in his draft year in 2019. From there, he went on to become one of Northeastern’s most important players in the NCAA before signing a pro contract in 2024. He had a huge impact in his first AHL season, registering 60 points in 68 games while also getting a five-game NHL stint. He’ll likely see time in both the NHL and AHL this year, but there’s enough to like about his skill and energy to suggest he could be a decent bottom-six find.
Detroit Red Wings: Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RHD, 20
The Red Wings will start the 2025-26 season with three rookies in the NHL (Emmitt Finnie and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard being the others). While there’s a solid chance all three will end up in Grand Rapids, all three deserve to be with the big club to start the year. ASP is perhaps the most interesting – he might be a bit undersized, but he has immense skill. For starters, he plays with so much confidence – and it led to a U-20-leading 29 points in the SHL in 2024-25. His defensive game is solid, too. Sandin-Pellikka is physically engaged quite often, something that wasn’t the case in his draft year.
Edmonton Oilers: Matt Savoie, RW, 21
Savoie was a dominant producer in the WHL and carried that success into the AHL, where he recorded 19 goals and 54 points in 66 games last year. He made Bakersfield much, much more dangerous every time he touched the puck – simple as that. Next up: the NHL, especially after an excellent preseason. Savoie has the edge over Howard in playing time because it feels like his pro experience will give him an edge, at least to start. Savoie’s skill should allow him to handle playing alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl with ease, assuming he’s given the opportunity.
Florida Panthers: Jack Devine, RW, 21
Something likely had to have gone wrong in Florida (or extremely right for Devine) if the former University of Denver standout plays more than just a handful of NHL games this year. He’s a solid prospect, for sure – but he just turned pro over the offseason and needs time to adjust. Devine set a new personal best of 57 points, giving him a grand total of 163 points in 162 NCAA outings. He then capped the season off with a great showing with the Checkers. The 21-year-old has a good shot, but he’s more dangerous as a playmaker. Will it translate to the NHL? Perhaps, but I doubt it will be this year.
Los Angeles Kings: Jeff Malott, LW, 29
Malott isn’t Calder-eligible given his age, but he’s set for his first season of NHL duty – more than half a decade after turning pro. He had 51 points in 61 AHL games a year ago – his best numbers to date. The Burlington, Ontario native also played in 12 NHL games, registering an assist. He had an explosive preseason with the Kings, showing he’s more than just a big, 6-foot-5 power forward. Malott feels like a good fit on LA’s fourth line, so look for him to stick around for the time being on an otherwise veteran squad. He already has a fight to his credit this year, so there’s that.
Minnesota Wild: Jesper Wallstedt, G, 22
Zeev Buium was the obvious choice, and Danila Yurov should be good, too. But this is a huge season for Wallstedt, who, after a few years of being touted as one of the best goaltending prospects in the world, fell off a cliff in 2024-25. He’ll have his first chance at backing up Filip Gustavsson this season, with the veteran Swede having just signed a big contract over the weekend. Wallstedt was once viewed as the goaltender of the future and could still be a serious, long-term threat. But this will be his opportunity to prove that.
Montreal Canadiens: Oliver Kapanen, C, 22
Ivan Demidov is another “well, duh” option, which is why we skipped him here. Kapanen played 18 games with the Habs last year, registering two assists. After starting the year in Quebec, he was sent back to Europe, where he impressed with Timra IK in the top Swedish league. He’s a reliable two-way forward who battles hard, can get physical and has a nice shot release, too. He’s not going to blow you away with pure skill, but he’s versatile enough to be valuable deeper in Montreal’s lineup. His showing against Toronto in the season opener was impressive.
Nashville Predators: Joakim Kemell, RW, 21
Matthew Wood is missing the start of the season, which is a bummer given his strong training camp. It’ll be a big few weeks for Joakim Kemell, though, who has fallen a bit as a prospect in recent years. I was hoping to see Kemell reach 50 points last season, but he instead finished with 40. That being said, I still love his shot, he plays with a ton of energy, and he has always outplayed his smaller frame. I’m just not totally sure where he fits in Nashville’s long-term plans right now. If he’s not playing power-play minutes or playing with a high-end passer, that’s going to hurt his potential. But I’m glad to see he’s there to start the year.
New Jersey Devils: Arseny Gritsyuk, RW, 24
Gritsyuk made a big impact during the preseason, leaving Devils fans with a lot to get excited about. The Russian winger had two goals and five points while averaging around 16 minutes a night. Gritsyuk is coming off an excellent season in the KHL, and while he may not be an offensive leader in the NHL, he should be able to make an immediate impact in the NHL. His energy and skill will be nice on the fourth line, and he is more defensively responsible than he was at this time last year back in Russia. He’s sticking around for good now.
New York Islanders: Maxim Shabanov, LW, 24
All eyes will be on Matthew Schaefer, but Shabanov should also be important for the rebuilding Islanders. Shabanov was one of the prized European free agent signings this past summer, leaving the KHL after a breakthrough 67-point season with Traktor Chelyabinsk. The 5-foot-8 forward brings a ton of energy to every shift, and he can play any of the three forward positions. When he’s on his game, he’s relentless – and while he might need some time to adjust to the grind of the NHL, he played well enough in the preseason to keep him with the big club. At 24, he’s an older rookie, but he should be noticeable.
New York Rangers: Noah Laba, C, 22
A tremendous training camp prevented the Rangers from sending their 2022 fourth-round pick down to Hartford. His speed and work ethic were noticeable from the get-go, and now the former Colorado College star is ready to make an impact in his first NHL action. He seemed like a long shot to make the NHL a few years back, but few young players move and groove like Laba does, even at the end of a long shift. Will he spend the whole year in the NHL? Who knows. But right now, it’s great seeing him up with the big team.
Ottawa Senators: Leevi Meriläinen, G, 23
If you read enough of DFO, you know we like the Finnish goaltender. Sure, the preseason left a bit to be desired. But there’s real potential here. Meriläinen had a huge 12-game stretch with the Senators, posting an 8-3-1 record with a .925 save percentage and three shutouts to help fill in for Linus Ullmark. Ullmark is the No. 1 in Ottawa again, but Meriläinen is the clear No. 2, and should be capable of taking some of the burden off his Swedish counterpart. Meriläinen has a bright young future – hopefully, he lives up to it.
Philadelphia Flyers: Nikita Grebenkin, LW, 22
Grebenkin is going to be a popular figure in Philly – his work ethic is contagious. The Russian forward loves having the puck on his stick. He can be creative in 1-on-1 situations, doing his best to deke guys out and create a chance. He’s better as a setup guy, especially when paired with a speedy, skilled shooter. Grebenkin does an excellent job of cycling the puck. He’s able to shrug off shoves from bigger players, keep the play alive and then generate a scoring chance. There’s a decent chance he’ll spend time in the AHL, but his strong camp will keep him up in Philly to start.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Ville Koivunen, RW, 21
Koivunen’s first season in North America was a big success. Year 2? Hopefully even better. He had 56 points in 63 AHL games, but he also had seven assists in eight NHL games with Pittsburgh. Look for Koivunen to challenge for a middle-six role this year. The Finnish winger is extremely skilled, frequently beating players in 1-on-1 situations without much issue. I liked him at the Buffalo Prospects Challenge and he received some solid reviews throughout the preseason. Beyond Koivunen, the Penguins have a few other notable rookies to watch, including Rutger McGroarty (once healthy), Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke.
San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, C, 18
There’s a chance Misa will be the team’s No. 2 center all season long. Taken second overall back in June, Misa was incredibly dominant in junior hockey and could have likely handled the NHL at 17 if he had been allowed. He’s smart, speedy and is equally dangerous as a shooter and a passer. His production in the OHL last year was absolutely bonkers, and I don’t expect him to waste too much time getting up to speed at the next level. Misa is going to play a significant role in San Jose’s rebuild once they’re fully up to speed.
Seattle Kraken: Jani Nyman, RW, 21
Nyman was one of the most productive players in the top Finnish league two years ago, and that momentum carried over to the AHL in 2024-25. He scored 28 goals and 44 points in his first year of North American pro hockey, and even had another six points in 12 NHL games. Nyman is huge at 6-foot-4 and over 215 pounds, but he also moves with the puck better than most players his size. Nyman isn’t a high-end skater, and I think that’ll hurt him in the long run. But as a bottom-six shooter? You can definitely do much worse.
St Louis Blues: Logan Mailloux, RHD, 22
Jimmy Snuggerud is going to be a top-line player for the Blues this year, and should be in the running for the Calder. But Mailloux was brought over to give the team some defensive help, and a good preseason should give Blues fans a reason to smile. The 22-year-old had another strong AHL campaign in Laval, and even impressed during his seven-game stint with the Habs. He’s physical, skilled and skates well, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s 6-foot-3. Mailloux will likely start the season on the third pair but should force his way into more ice time as the season wears on.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Jack Finley, RW, 22
It’s hard not to notice Finley – the Panthers found that out last weekend. At 6-foot-6 and 223 pounds, Finley is a big, mean forward who isn’t afraid to get in the way of shots and take lanes away. Finley had a solid year overall, but missed about 32 games due to injury. He made his NHL debut with the Bolts last year, and he looks set to stick around with the big club for the time being. I don’t think he’ll be anything more than a fourth-liner, but he’ll need to work on his overall pace and footwork to get himself into the long-term conversation.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Easton Cowan, RW, 20
There’s a solid chance that Cowan bounces between the NHL and AHL this year, and that’s OK. GM Brad Treliving has said he wants Cowan to just play, whether that be at Scotiabank Arena or the Coca-Cola Coliseum. He’s a hard-working forward who can play a variety of different roles, and he has shown he can perform in big moments with the London Knights. There’s an argument to be made that Cowan should play the bulk of the season in the AHL to set him up for the long term, but his versatility makes him intriguing to start the year.
Utah Hockey Club: Dmitri Simashev, LHD, 20
After a successful run in the KHL, Simashev is ready for big-time hockey – and we mean BIG. Simashev is 6-foot-5 defender who should have no issue making his presence known in North America. His KHL numbers might not pop off a page, but he uses his size to dominate the defensive zone without getting himself in trouble. Simashev can move the puck, land big hits and play on the penalty kill – something I expect him to do in the NHL. Don’t be surprised if he gets sent to the AHL at some point to play more minutes, but it’s good to see him in Utah to start.
Vancouver Canucks: Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, 21
While Braeden Cootes’ inclusion on the opening-night roster was a surprise, Lekkerimäki is the rookie all Canucks fans will be fixated on this year. The high-volume shooter loves to make things happen with the puck. His numbers weren’t mind-blowing in the NHL or AHL last year by any means, but you saw how much potential he has in open space. He’s been productive at just about every level, and while consistency is still a question mark, he’ll be a valuable middle-six scoring threat this year.
Vegas Golden Knights: Lukas Cormier, LHD, 23
The Golden Knights have never been known to keep prospects around for long – they’re fully focused on the present. Could this be the year Cormier finally gets a more extended look, though? He had one assist in his two-game stint with the club in 2023-24, but missed most of 2024-25 due to injury. On the surface, Cormier is a skilled defender who can help move the puck out of the zone. But he’s undersized at 5-foot-10, and it just seems like the Golden Knights haven’t wanted to give him much of a chance. This feels like a make-it-or-break-it year for Cormier.
Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard, RW, 20
With Alex Ovechkin’s career winding down, Leonard should be a big part of the future in D.C. Leonard has shown the ability to dominate in big games, both in the NCAA and at the World Juniors. He can score, hit, intimidate and do just about everything in his power to make himself a danger to society. Leonard had some mixed results to start his NHL career, but it’s never easy to go straight from college to the NHL. His ability to affect the game beyond the scoresheet – whether it be his physical play, his chirping or his defensive awareness – will make him very valuable to the Capitals.
Winnipeg Jets: Nikita Chibrikov, RW
The Jets don’t have a ton of depth on the right side, but that just means more opportunities for Chibrikov to shine. The 22-year-old Russian might be on the smaller side, but he proved to be productive over the past two years with the Manitoba Moose. He was also excellent during his four-game stint with the big club. He’ll likely play on the second line early in the season while leaning on multi-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews for advice. Chibrikov is here to stay, Jets fans.
PRESENTED BY THE DAILY FACEOFF SURVIVOR POOL
Think you’ve got what it takes to outlast everyone else? Test your hockey smarts in the Daily Faceoff Survivor Pool — a high-stakes game of elimination with a $2,500 grand prize for the last fan standing. The contest continues until there’s only one survivor — and that winner takes it all. Are you ready to survive? Sign up now and make your picks!