3 Rookies to Watch Heading Into the 2025-26 NHL Season

The NHL's preseason schedule kicks off today as the 2025-26 season is right around the corner. Training camps a couple of days old now, lines are starting to take shape already, and there's certainly a batch of rookies who are looking to make a huge impact this season.

Here's three rookies to keep an eye on heading into the new season:

Zayne Parekh, Calgary Flames

Parekh is a smooth-skating right-handed defenceman who is a lock to make the Calgary Flames, and could potentially play top-four minutes. The youngster got into a game last season and scored his first NHL goal, played over 20 minutes of ice-time and finished the night +3. There's little doubt he's the future of the blueline in Calgary, and it's likely he's a finalist for the Calder trophy this season.

Fraser Minten, Boston Bruins

Minten was a huge get for the Bruins last season when they dealt defenceman Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Minten showed out at the latest rookie camp and was the best Bruins' prospect by a long shot throughout the week event. His work ethic, two-way game, and sneaky shot set him apart from others, and with a giant hole down the middle of the ice in Boston, Minten has a chance to quickly climb the depth chart in Boston.

Matthew Savoie, Edmonton Oilers

Talk about pressure, Connor McDavid needs a contract extension, and Matthew Savoie could be starting as his right winger this season. Savoie played great during the rookie camp and is stood out above the rest as Edmonton's best prospect at this point. Last season in the AHL he lit it up, scoring 19 goals and 54 points in 66 games. He'll need to show off his wheels early on this season if he wants to stick with McDavid.

photo credit:  Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images