NHL Rookies To Watch This 2024-2025 Season

This is by far one of the best seasons for rookies we have seen since McDavid came into the league. With players like Celebrini and Michkov, every night is worth watching with this rookie class. So far this season, there have been three players from the 2024 draft class to make their debuts, but only one has made a lasting impact to their roster. With that being said, here are the Top 10 Best Rookies 2024-2025 Rankings.

Honorable Mention

Nikolai Kovalenko

Team: San Jose Sharks

Previous Ranking: Unranked

An honorable mention goes to Nikolai Kovalenko of the San Jose Sharks. Originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he did not come over to North America until the 2024 playoffs.

After 28 games for the Avs this season, he was packaged in a deal with the Sharks and has been a solid bottom six for them. So far this season, Kovalenko has scored four goals and nine assists between both teams.

Top 10 NHL Rookies 2025 Rankings

10. Jackson Blake

Team: Carolina Hurricanes

Previous Ranking: Honorale Mention

Jackson Blake was drafted by the Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, 109^th overall. After two seasons with the University of North Dakota, he went pro in 2024, playing in one game for the Canes at the end of the 2023-2024 season. So far this season, he has scored eight goals and four assists in 36 games.

9. Zack Bolduc

Team: St. Louis Blues

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Zack Bolduc is a 2021 NHL Draft pick, being selected 17^th overall by the Blues. Growing up in Quebec, he played two seasons for Rimouski and another two seasons for Quebec, winning the Memorial Cup in 2023. After a developmental season in the AHL, Bolduc has scored five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 31 games.

8. Will Smith

Team: San Jose Sharks

Previous Ranking: Unranked

The first of many Sharks on this list, Will Smith, is another NCAA player who opted to join the NHL early and has been having an okay rookie season for himself.

After an insane 71 points in his freshman season, Smith has scored six goals and seven assists so far at the NHL level. It is still early, and the Sharks are more than rebuilding.

7. Cutter Gauthier

Team: Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Probably one of the most infamous players in the NHL right now, Cutter Gauthier is having a rather mediocre rookie season given his pedigree.

Cutter was originally drafted by the Flyers 5^th overall in 2022, but for some reason did not want to be a Flyer. Now with the Ducks, he has played 34 games and has only scored four goals and 10 assists.

6. Emil Heineman

Team: Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: Unranked

For a while, it looked like Emil Heineman might not ever find a place in the NHL. Drafted originally by the Panthers in 2020, he never played in their system. His rights were also part of the famous Sam Bennett trade with Florida.

The Canadiens took a chance on the winger and signed his entry-level contract in 2023. He has found a home in the bottom six with the Habs. So far this season, he has scored eight goals and six assists this season.

5. Logan Stankoven

Team: Dallas Stars

Previous Ranking: Unranked

It seems like every season I write about how the Dallas Stars plucked a guy out of the middle second round, and they are competing for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Logan Stankoven is another addition to this list.

So far this season, the rookie from Kamloops has scored four goals and 13 assists. With an insanely talented top end in Dallas, he surely will finish in the top three for rookies this season.

4. Maxim Tsyplakov

Team: New York Islanders

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Maxim Tsyplakov is quite a surprise they have on this list. Maxim Played in the KHL for a very long time, earning his stripes.

After two phenomenal seasons for Moscow, he decided to come over to the NHL, signing a one-year entry-level contract with the Islanders. So far this season, he has scored seven goals in 12 assists for 19 points.

3. Lane Hutson

Team: Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Lane Hutson is already looking like an early steal for the Montréal Canadiens. Drafted in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft 62nd overall, he is playing like a first rounder in his rookie season.

So far this season, the former Boston terrier has only scored two goals but has wrapped up 24 assists for the Canadiens. You can’t ask for much more from a rookie defensemen.

2. Macklin Celebrini

Team: San Jose Sharks 

Previous Ranking: Unranked

The Sharks sprinted to the stage to take Macklin Celebrini 1^st overall in the 2024 draft. The 6ft center fit in the NHL immediately.

Despite not knowing what Zillow is, he sure has found a home in the top six for the Sharks, even if he could have stayed in Boston for a few more seasons.

At the time of writing, he is currently tied with Michkov for points. Thus far this season, Mack has scored 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points.

1. Matvei Michkov

Team: Philadelphia Flyers

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Touted as the second coming of Alexander Ovechkin, Matvei Michkov has not disappointed since coming over from Russia. Falling to the Flyers 7^th overall, Michkov is the starter the Flyers needed to bring them back to the top.

Despite a few slumps, which is to be expected coming over from the KHL, Mihckov is already a top winger in the NHL.

So far this season, Mich has 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points. With plenty of runway left, he is an early favorite for the Flyers first Calder winner.

How would you rank the best NHL Rookies of the 2024-2025 season so far? Rank below to be added in the NHL Power Rankings.

Sunday Umoh

Sunday Umoh is the visionary founder and CEO of Fan Rankings LLC, a platform that merges sports passion with technology to create an engaging and interactive space for fans worldwide. With a background in Information Science and Systems and experience as a Software Engineer, Umoh has built a brand that blends analytical insights with emotional connection, offering unique coverage of Football, Basketball, MMA, and Boxing. A graduate of Morgan State University and a former collegiate Track and Field athlete, Umoh previously gained attention for his impactful Washington Wizards blog, fireerniegrunfeld.com. His journey exemplifies how technology can amplify sports fandom, with Fan Rankings setting a new standard in sports media, providing a community for fans to connect, debate, and celebrate their favorite teams and athletes.

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