Prime 10 Fantasy Hockey Rookie Rankings for 2025-26

Sport: NHL

Rookies all the time include quite a lot of increase or bust potential, particularly for redraft leagues. Whereas I wouldn’t advocate reaching too early on any rookie, they’re all the time the sorts of gamers I need to snag late within the draft or early on the waiver wire. In the event that they don’t pan out, there can be different choices out there. In the event that they hit, it might probably go a good distance in the direction of a profitable fantasy hockey season. Listed below are my preliminary rookie rankings for the 2025-26 fantasy hockey season.

2025-26 Prime 10 Fantasy Hockey Rookie Rankings

10) Yaroslav Askarov, G, San Jose Sharks

There’s a promising expertise right here with Askarov, and it appears to be like like he can be given the chance to take the beginning goalie position. The issue is that the Sharks are nonetheless rebuilding, so in case your league counts GAA and save share, he may undergo in these areas. He possible received’t decide up too many wins both, however he might help you out with saves, and if he’s a quantity starter, it offers you extra probabilities to start out him in your lineup.

9) Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders

Usually, I’d be greater on the most recent first general draft decide. Nonetheless, Schaefer missed a good portion of final season, and his position with the Islanders stays unsure. At worst, he could solely play a number of video games, then be despatched down, whereas at finest, he may play a top-four position and run the primary power-play unit. There’s a good likelihood he’s sheltered, not less than early on, which provides me some hesitation about how he’ll produce this season.

8) Maxim Shabanov, RW, New York Islanders

Shabanov thrived within the KHL with 67 factors in 65 video games final 12 months, rating him third in league scoring. He determined to take his abilities to the NHL, signing a one-year take care of the Islanders. It is a workforce that wants an offensive spark, so I’m anticipating to see Shabanov relied upon for scoring. He’s older at age 24, and whereas I don’t assume he’ll be the subsequent Artemi Panarin, he may carve out a top-six position.

7) Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes

It wasn’t too way back that he was thought-about the highest defenseman prospect not enjoying within the NHL. Effectively, now he’s made the transfer over to North America and ought to be an everyday within the Hurricanes’ lineup. The Canes have a deep protection and have Shayne Gostisbehere, who will possible run the primary unit energy play. Regardless, Nikishin can have loads of expertise surrounding him, and he is likely one of the older gamers on this record at 24, so he received’t want as a lot sheltering.

6) Ryan Leonard, RW, Washington Capitals

Leonard made his NHL debut late final season, enjoying in 9 video games, scoring one purpose. His play gave the impression to be greater high quality than his offensive output, so I believe we’ll see higher offensive outcomes as he performs his first full NHL season. He ought to present good class protection, too, with PIM, pictures on purpose, and hits.

5) Michael Misa, C, San Jose Sharks

The second general decide from the 2025 draft, Misa appears to be like extra poised to make a direct fantasy influence. Final 12 months’s rookie star, Mack Celebrini, is the Sharks’ prime heart, however Misa may take the second line heart position as quickly as this 12 months. He also needs to see time on the second energy play unit.

4) Sam Rinzel, D, Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks have a number of promising younger defensemen of their ranks, however Rinzel is the one who appears to be like primed to run their prime energy play unit. He had 5 assists in 9 video games final season, three of which have been scored on the person benefit. He additionally averaged 23:22 of ice time per sport, so he’s rapidly earned the coach’s confidence. That bodes nicely for him retaining his position.

3) Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis Blues

Snuggerud joined the Blues lineup late final season and earned himself a spot immediately. It’s all of the extra spectacular on condition that the workforce was battling for a playoff spot. He had 4 factors in seven video games and scored one other 4 factors in seven playoff matches. He’s slated to play within the Blues’ prime six, and presumably even the highest line, giving him a fantastic alternative to succeed.

2) Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild

Making his NHL debut within the playoffs, Buium was thrust right into a high-pressure state of affairs and didn’t look misplaced. He was given a while on the highest energy play unit. If he can seize that position once more, displacing Brock Faber, Buium may financial institution quantity of factors enjoying on a unit with Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy.

1) Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens

Some years it’s tough to decide on the top-ranked rookie, however not this 12 months. Ivan Demidov is the straightforward frontrunner. He had two factors in two video games final 12 months, and whereas it’s a really small pattern measurement, he regarded very promising in these contests. He was additionally thought-about by many to be the second-best choice, not less than in fantasy hockey, through the 2024 entry draft. Falling to fifth felt like a steal for Montreal, and so they’re about to reap the rewards.

Different Rookies to contemplate:

• Isaac Howard, LW, Edmonton Oilers
• Ville Koivunen, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Leevi Merilainen, G, Ottawa Senators
• Zayne Parekh, D, Calgary Flames
• Gabe Perreault, RW, New York Rangers
• Matthew Savoie, C, Edmonton Oilers
• Jesper Wallstedt, G, Minnesota Wild
• Danila Yurov, LW, Minnesota Wild