NHL training camps are getting underway, and the new wave of rookies expected to play impactful roles is very notable. Three of the top 10 picks from the 2026 draft could see significant NHL time this season.
And for the first time in a while, a goaltender makes an appearance on a preseason watch list. Add in a few players who signed at the conclusion of the 2025-26 NCAA season and there is more than enough talent for an intriguing Calder Trophy race.
Here are 10 first-year players to monitor as the 2026-27 season begins:
Note: Ages are as of opening night, Sept. 29.
Gavin McKenna, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 18 | Draft: 2026 No. 1
McKenna was going to be in the spotlight regardless of where he landed. The moment the Maple Leafs won the draft lottery, the spotlight cranked to 11.
McKenna will slot into a top six in Toronto that has Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies. Regardless of which line he plays on, he's going to have the opportunity to create offense with elite talent. Whether he gets first- or second-unit power-play opportunities remains to be seen, but he's going to get time on one of them.
How he adjusts to NHL pace and physicality will ultimately determine how successful his rookie season is. If he meshes well and becomes a primary setup man for Matthews and Knies, 65-plus points is not out of the question. That would likely mean a much-needed rebound season from Matthews, further elevating McKenna's importance to Toronto's immediate future.
McKenna is going to be under the microscope more than any other rookie this season. If he plays well, Toronto will get the offensive jolt that has been missing.
Porter Martone, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 19 | Draft: 2025 No. 6
If his first cup of coffee in the NHL was any indication, Martone should probably start the season as the Calder favorite. Not only was he excellent for the Flyers in the stretch run, but he was vital in the Flyers' playoff series against the Penguins. The big winger has already endeared himself to the Flyers faithful and more importantly, head coach Ron Hextall.
Playing a consistent top-six role with extended time on the top power-play unit will give Martone plenty of opportunity to pile up the points. Philadelphia was not the most entertaining team to watch last season, given their focus on defense and lack of offensive firepower. Martone was an immediate offensive catalyst and gave the Flyers a dimension they were missing.
He's going to be one of their most important players in the present and future, especially if the Flyers want to avoid a step back this season. Whether he is scoring, creating offense or agitating opponents, the perfect Philadelphia Flyer is going to be an impactful rookie and extremely fun to watch.
Ivar Stenberg, LW, San Jose Sharks
Age: 18 | Draft: 2026 No. 2
The second overall pick joins a Sharks team that seems primed to take a major step forward. The Sharks, like the Leafs, jumped from further back (ninth) to second via the lottery, and drafted Stenberg with the pick. Many scouts believed Stenberg was the most NHL-ready of the top prospects and that his professional experience in Sweden would serve him well in a middle-six role during his rookie season.
Stenberg is a tremendous talent, who is capable of impacting the game both offensively and defensively. Should he play his way onto Macklin Celebrini or Michael Misa's wing, there is a real opportunity for him to produce offensively. Regardless of where he plays, Stenberg is likely to have the best two-way impact of the entire rookie crop. Stenberg's combination of two-way play and offensive play-driving ability should be a major boost for the Sharks and may help put them over the top as a wild-card team this season.
If Stenberg finds himself in the top six, producing offensively, and playing secondary matchups, he's going to be in the conversation for the Calder. He is exactly the type of forward who can slot in with San Jose's young crop of elite skill and elevate their play.
James Hagens, C, Boston Bruins
Age: 19 | Draft: 2025 No. 7
The Bruins couldn't believe when the top-line center from Boston College was sitting there for them at No. 7 in 2025. Fast-forward to now, and Hagens was far and away the best player at B's rookie camp and has a real shot to make the Bruins in 2026.
He's one to watch because the Bruins are already a decent team and there is no need to rush him. Having said that, Hagens' raw offensive talent is greater than any other option Boston has in the middle of the ice. His shot has come a long way, making Hagens a true scoring threat and an even more dangerous dual-threat attacker.
There is a distinct possibility that Hagens breaks camp on the wing with the Bruins, simply because the Bruins believe it is better for his development to play in the NHL rather than the AHL. He would certainly jolt the Bruins' offense and give it a dimension it has lacked the past couple of years. Hagens has true potential to be a top-line center and the ability to produce 55-plus points in a top-six role in his rookie season.
Cole Hutson, D, Washington Capitals
Age: 20 | Draft: 2024 No. 43
With John Carlson gone, Hutson is going to get elevated offensive opportunities in his first full NHL season. He's likely to quarterback the second power-play unit which should feature Jordan Kyrou and fellow rookie Ilya Protas.
In a 14-game audition with the Capitals last season, Hutson notched 10 points and generally impressed. He consistently showed excellent skating ability, moving laterally with ease, changing gears in tight areas and facilitating offense. His first pass is going to drive a ton of transition offense, and his in-zone offense is going to create scoring chances with regularity.
Hutson's ability to create space with his skating, find passing lanes and thread pucks through coverage should make him the premier rookie defender in the class. He will likely start in sheltered minutes given the talent ahead of him on the depth chart while being given opportunities to earn more ice time as the season progresses.
Ilya Protas, LW, Washington Capitals
Age: 20 | Draft: 2024 No. 75
The second Capitals rookie to watch is another familiar name. Ilya Protas is the younger brother of Aliaksei, who is a mainstay in Washington's top six. The younger Protas has a similar build to his brother, and he won AHL Rookie of the year in 2025-26 after averaging more than two points per game in the OHL in 2024-25 as an 18-year-old.
After a nearly point-per-game AHL season, Protas is primed for a shot with the big club. There is depth ahead of him, but he should be given a chance to play a bottom-six role. His versatility may see him start on the wing, but with the injury history to the Capitals' centers, he is likely to get an opportunity there at some point.
Protas is the epitome of the young player that contenders need on an entry-level contract to take advantage of playing in the bottom six. There is every reason to believe the younger Protas will produce offensively against softer matchups and a 40-point season should be attainable.
Longer term, the Capitals expect the younger Protas to be a key piece of their powerful top six that already features Tom Wilson, Alex Tuch and Ilya's older brother.
Anton Frondell, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 19 | Draft: 2025 No. 3
The third overall pick in 2025 looked every bit the part of an NHL top-six player in his 12-game audition to end last season.
Frondell is a foundational piece of Chicago's future, one who needs to start moving in the right direction. With Connor Bedard out to start the season, Frondell is going to have the opportunity to play big minutes in key situations from the outset.
His dual-threat offensive game, combined with ability to drive play should allow him to produce offensively and keep the puck out of Chicago's end. If he gets top power-play minutes throughout the season and retains a top-six role upon Bedard's return, it's quite possible he scores 65 points in a full season. If Chicago takes a step toward playoff contention this season, Frondell could be a major reason why -- and that will boost his Calder candidacy.
Roman Kantserov, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 22 | Draft: 2023 No. 44
One of the most intriguing rookies is likely to start in the season in Chicago's top six. Kantserov is coming off a point per game season in the KHL as a 21-year-old and has the skating and playmaking ability to be a real offensive threat in the NHL.
He's lesser known largely due to lack of coverage in the Russian leagues, making him the player most likely to surprise NHL fans seeing him for the first time. His quick puck-moving ability combined with chance generation off the rush will fit will with the type of offense Chicago's young players are trying to create.
There is always an adjustment period for players from overseas, and it would not be surprising if it took him a month or two to adjust. However, players with this skill set almost always have a measurable impact in their rookie season, and Kantserov should be no different. A 45-point campaign would be a wonderful success as Kantserov adjusts to the NHL and earns more offensive opportunities.
Viggo Bjorck, C, Winnipeg Jets
Age: 18 | Draft: 2026 No. 8
It remains to be seen where Bjorck will start his North American professional career, but there is little doubt his future is as a top-six center for the Winnipeg Jets.
Bjorck is a play-driving, get-you-out-of-your-seat player. Whether he's causing turnovers and generating breakaways or outmuscling players much bigger than him, the stocky Swede is going to be a mainstay in the Jets' lineup when he's ready.
If he makes the team out of camp, there is real opportunity for him to slot ahead of Adam Lowry on the second line and have an immediate offensive impact. If he doesn't, his most likely development path is putting in time as the top-line AHL center and a recall after the All-Star break (or as injury necessitates).
He's extremely fun to watch because of his dogged puck pursuit, fearlessness in battles and outright offensive skill. When he's in the lineup, he's going to give Jets fans every reason to be excited, and given Winnipeg's need for a legitimate top-six center, there's an argument that he should start the season with the big club.
Sergei Murashov, G, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 22 | Draft: 2022 No. 118
It is extremely rare that a goalie finds himself on a rookie watch list, so that should tell you all you need to know about Murashov's potential. He's one of Pittsburgh's top prospects and is looking to prove his rookie season should be a 1A/1B situation with Arturs Silovs.
There is a legitimate chance that Murashov is the 1A starting goaltender for the Penguins at some point this season, and if that's the case, not only is he a top prospect, but he's also probably in the Calder conversation.
He's a wonderfully charismatic conversationalist off the ice, which is always endearing to fans and media. His mindset and demeanor on the ice are as cool as can be, which has led to sparkling AHL numbers (including a .919 save percentage in 38 starts last season for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton). Add in the intrigue of being a southpaw goaltender capable of spectacular saves, Murashov could be a key piece of Pittsburgh's elongated competitive window. If the Penguins make the playoffs and he plays the lion's share of the games, it will be difficult to keep him out of the Calder discussion.
