Top five rookies to watch during the 2025-26 NHL preseason

Sep 19, 2025, 10:30 EDTUpdated: Sep 18, 2025, 16:23 EDT

Top five rookies to watch during the 2025-26 NHL preseason

Credit: Steven Ellis

Class is now in session.

Training camps ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season are finally here, with players reporting for duty across the league this week. We got a taste of what’s to come last week with the 10 prospect tournaments, but the real fun is about to begin.

Many of those participants are hoping to make the NHL on a full-time basis in 2025-26. Some are locks to make NHL teams, while others might have a few obstacles in the way if they’re going to live out their dreams this year.

With preseason games kicking off on Saturday night, here’s a look at five potential NHL rookies with interesting storylines worth watching over the next few weeks:

Fraser Minten, C (Boston Bruins)

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. Sure, it’s hard for a rookie to break in down the middle, but Minten has some decent pro experience already and has shown he can handle anything thrown his way.

The 21-year-old was one of Boston’s best players at the Buffalo Prospects Challenge last weekend. He continuously outworked and outthought opponents, allowing him to have an edge on a Bruins team that didn’t have much firepower. He’s a stout two-way forward who isn’t afraid to battle hard with anyone, and while he’s not much of a point producer, he makes everyone around him better. Matthew Poitras will again challenge for a roster spot, but it feels like the No. 3 center gig is Minten’s to lose.

Zayne Parekh, RHD (Calgary Flames)

Parekh had as good a debut as you could ask for last season, scoring a goal and finishing with a +3 in 20:31 of ice time in a 5-1 win. Now, Parekh will look to challenge for the Calder Trophy – assuming he makes the Flames. On the surface, he already looks much better than some of the others chasing roster spots. In fact, he might have the purest skill of any Flames defender, young or old.

But there’s some competition on the right side with Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar expected to hold down the fort. Parekh very unique in the way that he can dominate in so many elements of the game. His defensive game has improved steadily over the past 12 months, as well. Parekh is going to be a star in Calgary, and if he starts training camp off strong, they’ll have a hard time keeping him off the opening night roster.

Matthew Savoie, RW (Edmonton Oilers)

As expected, Savoie had a solid showing at the recent prospects tournament against Calgary. The skilled forward is Edmonton’s top prospect, and one with a decent amount of pro experience already at 21 years old. He was electric in the AHL last year, registering 19 goals and 54 points in 66 games with Bakersfield. Savoie has always been a solid shooter, but the former Winnipeg Ice star has always been an outstanding playmaker – someone capable of huge plays on a consistent basis.

Savoie looks primed to challenge for a top-six role in Edmonton, likely ahead of fellow rookie Ike Howard. The Alberta native was usually a play-driver in junior, but he won’t have to if he lines up beside either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Savoie is smart, speedy and skilled, and while he might be small, it shouldn’t prevent him from being a useful NHLer. I like Savoie a lot, and I think a great preseason should open up some eyes.

Carter Yakemchuk, RHD (Ottawa Senators)

Yakemchuk looked great in Montreal last weekend – will that confidence carry over into the preseason? The former WHL defender was excellent last September, nearly stealing a roster spot for the home opener. This year, it’ll be much tougher to keep him out of the lineup. He’s big, mean, skilled and can command a shift as well as any other defenseman his age.

The Senators have plenty of veterans in front of him, especially after acquiring Jordan Spence. So Yakemchuk still needs to prove himself to earn a full-time roster spot. But if he does, don’t count Yakemchuk out of the Calder Trophy fight. While his skating still leaves a bit to be desired (it’s mechanically stronger than it was in his draft year, though), he does so much else that you just can’t ignore. Yakemchuk isn’t afraid to bring the chaos, and he has the numbers to prove he can make things happen with the puck.

Sam Dickinson, LHD (San Jose Sharks)

I’m always a fan of prospects taking extra time to develop to prioritize playing time and confidence. Dickinson would get plenty of that if he went back to London to chase a third league title. He told me back in June his focus is on making the NHL – and I absolutely wouldn’t bet against him having a monster preseason and starting the year with the big club.

Dickinson doesn’t have much more to prove with the Knights – he’d be better off in the AHL. He isn’t eligible for the Barracuda yet, which makes me think the Sharks will keep him with the big club as long as possible before his entry-level contract kicks in. The 19-year-old has the power to overwhelm just about everyone. He’s a mobile, speedy, 6-foot-3 defender with 184 points in 185 career OHL games – you won’t find many defenders with the ability to impact the game like him. He’s as confident as they get – and with the Sharks’ defense corps being as weak as it is, he doesn’t have many obstacles in his way.

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