3 NHL rookies who could take the league by storm in 2025-26

There's no shortage of young talent rising through the NHL ranks, from first overall draft pick Matthew Schaefer to skaters waiting in the wings for their chance to make the big league roster on a regular basis.

These three players are primed for a full-time role in the NHL, so remember their names as they could wind up being Calder Trophy candidates in the 2025-26 season.

Rutger McGroarty, Pittsburgh Penguins

Originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 2022, McGroarty never made the cut and the Penguins traded for his rights last summer. McGroarty spent two seasons developing at the University of Michigan, where he stood out as a hard-nosed forward with a strong offensive upside. He made his NHL debut at the start of the 2024-25 campaign but spent most of the year with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, tallying 14 goals and 39 points in 60 games -- that includes 18 points in his last 20 matchups.

The fast and physical winger recorded three points and 12 hits across eight NHL games throughout the year. The 21-year-old is highly-touted for his natural hockey senses, finding the open areas of the ice and setting up his teammates effectively. His greatest asset is on the forecheck where he efficiently beats opponents to the puck and uses the body to gain possession, forging offensive chances once he does.

McGroarty is still adjusting to the lifestyle of a full-time pro, but skating alongside Sidney Crosby is sure to jumpstart his NHL career. He's grown a lot in terms of his skating and compete level against more skilled opponents, and his upward trajectory is only going to continue.

Zayne Parekh, Calgary Flames

This 19-year-old defenseman had the OHL buzzing after putting up a whopping 107 points in 61 games this season with the Saginaw Spirit. The ninth overall draft pick in 2024 was named the best defender in the entire CHL last season, which encompasses all three of the largest development leagues in Canada and the U.S. -- a title that was well-deserved.

Parekh is a highly-skilled blueliner who is like a magnet to the puck. He makes daring plays that other skaters might overlook, and the risk almost always pays off because of his accurate puck control. One of his best skills is his skating, which features beautiful edgework and speed. Parekh is still refining his play in his own zone, which could prove to be a weakness early on, but his game continues to develop in an exponential way.

He was called up to the Flames at the tail end of the 2024-25 season, spending 10 days training with the team and becoming the sixth-youngest defenseman to score a goal in his NHL debut. Parekh is a shoo-in to make the roster this year, and the league should be on watch for this incredibly talented young D-man.

Ivan Demidov, Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens have a very real chance of producing back-to-back Calder Trophy winners with Lane Hutson being named rookie of the year in 2025, and Ivan Demidov on the rise for the coming season.

The 19-year-old generated a great deal of buzz when he came to North America from the KHL this year. Demidov immediately made a splash with a goal and an assist in his NHL debut, totalling four points across two regular season games and five playoff games for the Habs.

Demidov can play at either center or wing, which is a fantastic asset, and his play is marked by his equally strong shooting and puck distribution skills. With a crafty eye for scoring chances, Demidov exhibits tremendous stickhandling and the innate hockey IQ to be patient, waiting for openings instead of making hasty decisions.

The three of these skaters are ready for NHL action as some of the most exciting young prospects in the game right now, so fans everywhere should be dialed in when these guys are on the ice in the 2025-26 season.