🏒 The Next Wave: Fantasy Hockey Rookies to Scoop Up
Hey folks, it’s almost the regular season, so today we’ve got some rookies that you need to keep an eye on for your draft and throughout the year. My personal feeling after watching these guys is that being a step ahead of your opponents in a league is key, and the rookie superstars are the secret weapon.
We’re going to leave out the obvious No. 1 and 2 picks from last year in Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders and Michael Misa of the San Jose Sharks, respectively, as their big names mean everyone is already trying to grab them. Instead, we’ll focus on players that offer great value early on.
For example, I remember drafting a certain superstar in his first year when everyone said he was too raw, and he was the reason I took home the title. These rookies are your chance to do the same.
🔒 Defensemen to Watch
Let’s talk defense first. The two blue-liners I’m most excited to keep an eye on and target are Zayne Parekh and Zeev Buium. Parekh has a crazy offensive game, and the talk is that he will get major minutes right away due to his talent. He is a high-risk, high-reward pick, but if he gets power-play time, he could explode.
Buium, on the other hand, seems like a safer bet. He’s already being talked about as a potential top-four guy with excellent two-way play, which means he’ll be on the ice a lot. I think both of these players are sure-fire Calder Memorial Trophy candidates and could be the next generation of great defensemen. Grabbing them in your league early on is a surefire way to get your opponents chasing later.
🚨 Forward Prospects to Consider
Beyond the blue line, some forwards need to be considered — players who might fly a bit under the radar because they weren’t top-two picks. Shelmo often discusses this angle, finding value where others miss it.
These rookies are often found on rebuilding or retooling teams that need to give their young players a shot to see what they have.
That chance at a top-six role and power-play time is exactly what we want in fantasy hockey. Look for guys who excel in specific categories, like goal-scoring or hits, to boost your team without having to spend a high pick on them.
Make sure to check out our new in-depth Fantasy Hockey Projections and Outlooks that always give you an accurate snapshot and outlook of what you can expect from every player — all season long. Powered by AI and refined by our experts, they can give you the edge you need to make those great early picks and scoop up the unexpected superstars.
💎 The Low-Risk Russian Gem: Maxim Shabanov – New York Islanders
Forget the big names for a minute; the smart money in fantasy hockey is often on the undrafted sleeper, and Maxim Shabanov fits that bill perfectly. This 24-year-old Russian rookie is coming into the NHL with the Islanders after demonstrating remarkable offensive prowess against men in his home country.
He played the last four seasons in the KHL for Traktor Chelyabinsk, putting up fantastic numbers, including 23 goals, 44 assists, and 67 points in 65 games played as a forward last year.
Prior to that, he played three seasons in the VHL, which is essentially the AHL of the KHL. Now, he is testing the ice of North America for the first time after signing a one-year, entry-level deal with Long Island.
He’s small in size, but Shabanov has been known as offensively gifted, and proven it throughout his career; just remember Auston Matthews also started his career in the KHL — look how that turned out!
My personal take is that Shabanov offers incredible low risk, high reward for a player who is slated to start in the middle six with second-unit power-play time and is an almost unrostered player in all but the deepest formats.
He’s only 24 years old, but with his extensive professional experience, he won’t have the typical learning curve. For managers in a keeper league or dynasty, he should be on your radar because if he clicks with the Islanders’ top offensive threats, he could be an immediate point-per-game player.
Keep an eye on him in the early weeks of the season, because he is a player you want to scoop up before your opponents realize his potential.
🦌 The Blue-Line Lock: Zeev Buium – Minnesota Wild
Moving from the offensive rush to the defensive anchor, we need to talk about Zeev Buium, the All-American defender of the future.
He is finally breaking into the NHL after a stellar collegiate career, and unlike many prospects, he arrives with an immaculate resume — including four gold medals, and notably, winning back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
His college stats are incredible for a blue-liner: 13 goals, 35 assists, and 48 points in 41 games played as a defenseman last year in the NCHC from the University of Denver.
Buium is expected to join the Wild in a prime role, pairing with veteran captain Jared Spurgeon, and will be the quarterback of the top power-play line, which includes the likes of Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, Marco Rossi, and Kirill Kaprizov.
This gives Buium every opportunity to shine and exceed expectations. The chance to run the show with that kind of offensive firepower is fantasy gold, and it gives him a higher floor than most rookies.
If he can handle the jump, his offensive production could challenge the top tier of defensemen, making him a breakout star to target early in your drafts.
🚀 The Long-Awaited Russian Rocket: Alexander Nikishin – Carolina Hurricanes
While we’ve already touched upon a couple of North American prospects, let’s turn our attention to the long-awaited arrival of Russian defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
Drafted by the Canes in 2020, third round, 69th overall, Nikishin is finally coming to the NHL from the KHL. My experience covering players making this jump tells me that the production usually translates well, and Nikishin has a high ceiling.
He put himself on the map with elite play over the last three years playing in the KHL. During his first year playing for SKA Saint Petersburg, he had incredible numbers for a blue-liner, and last season in 61 games, he notched 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) — second in points among KHL defensemen.
The real excitement stems from his likely role with the Canes. He made his debut in the playoffs last season, gaining valuable time there. Nikishin is now slotted for a prominent spot in the pairing and on the power-play unit.
Carolina’s blue line is deep, but Nikishin’s skill could earn him a start on the first power-play unit where he’s going to set up with Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Taylor Hall.
The Hurricanes are looking for a true quarterback, and Nikishin has the heavy shot and vision for that. If he gets that coveted offensive time — which I believe he will — the points will follow, making him a breakout candidate to watch this year.
🏒 The Blue Line Big Opportunity: Sam Rinzel – Chicago Blackhawks
Moving on from the Hurricanes prospect, let’s talk about a big defenseman who is ready to take his next stepping stone — Sam Rinzel.
Drafted by the Blackhawks in 2022 (25th overall), he is finally coming to the NHL with big potential after a stellar collegiate career at the University of Minnesota.
In 40 games last year, he put up 32 points (10 goals and 22 assists) — an outstanding line for a defender and solidified him as the top offensive defenseman of the B1G conference.
What excites me most, having tracked his progress, is that he seems to thrive as the opportunity gets bigger.
The buzz around the Blackhawks is, of course, Connor Bedard, and that is exactly why Rinzel has such a desirable fantasy spot. Rinzel is going to be playing on the top pairing and getting huge opportunities on the power-play unit.
He had five assists in nine games at the end of last year when he made his debut, with three coming on the man advantage. You can’t ignore that kind of immediate impact!
The coaching staff seems set on giving him all the chances to succeed with Bedard. He has the size and poise to quarterback that top unit well, and that is where the fantasy stars are made.
If he can maintain even a fraction of that scoring pace as a Blackhawks player, he will finish the year with a haul of assists, making him a must-add well before your opponents realize that the franchise foot is firmly in the door.
🔥 The Star of the Draft: Zayne Parekh – Calgary Flames
Everyone has their eyes on one player: Zayne Parekh. As the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft by the Calgary Flames, your fantasy leagues must now consider him. You should put his name on your list quickly.
Last season with the Saginaw Spirit (OHL), he turned heads where he scored an amazing 33 goals plus 61 assists — a total of 96 points in 74 games. He won the OHL Championship and earned a gold medal for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The situation with the Flames is a very good one, as Parekh is going to be insulated on a bottom pairing, which is better for his long-term development than starting with too much pressure.
He will also get mentorship from Brayden Pachal, a Stanley Cup winner with Vegas. This guidance will help his defensive game and confidence.
His biggest opportunity has to be on the power-play unit, where his elite production will shine. Although he was injured in 2023, that’s behind him now.
In dynasty leagues, he is a must-draft. He’s not going to put up 107 points in his first year, but this rookie has all the tools to perform at the NHL level and become a top-10 fantasy defenseman.
🧊 The Power Play Threat: Jimmy Snuggerud – St. Louis Blues
Let’s talk about Jimmy Snuggerud, who was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2022 NHL draft (24th overall).
He played at the University of Minnesota last season, where he put up elite numbers — 27 goals and 24 assists (51 points) in 40 games.
Now, after joining the Blues, the opportunity for this rookie is huge, but it’s also a double-edged sword.
The Blues are a team contending for a postseason spot and may hand him a top-line role right out of the gate, possibly playing with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich.
If Snuggerud gets a spot on the first power-play unit, his value jumps — he could put up 14 goals there. He’s a forward with more immediate fantasy impact than many others, and a regular shift on that top unit is key to his success.
However, he played seven NHL games at the end of last season and was held to just two assists. The Blues have high standards and won’t be patient if he’s not producing.
Still, the opportunity is worth the risk in any format. It’s a chance on a top rookie winger, and that’s something every manager should look at.
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👉 FantasySP – Fantasy Hockey Rookies to Consider