More than just McKenna: Meet the top 10 rookies to draft
Victoria MatiashSep 22, 2026, 09:00 AM ET
- Victoria Matiash is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. Victoria has been a part of the fantasy team since 2010.
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There's little debate about whether the following Calder candidates will make a considerable imprint in the NHL, the only real question is when. While both Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby erupted for more than 100 points as rookies, Nikita Kucherov collected only 18 in 52 games during his first NHL season. Nathan MacKinnon didn't start wowing us in the scoring department until Year 5. As with identifying any other breakout candidate, pegging which first-year players are ready to erupt immediately, then securing them ahead of or during the season, will make your fantasy team better.
To be clear, each of these young competitors should be accounted for in dynasty and keeper competition. This discussion is about whether they can help your redraft team right now, in 2026-27.
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Gavin McKenna, F, Toronto Maple Leafs
In my view, of this year's gaggle of talented rookies, June's No. 1 NHL draft pick sports the highest fantasy ceiling. While you can only gather so much intel from preseason play, McKenna already appears comfortable and dangerous. Whether he remains on a dynamite scoring unit with John Tavares and William Nylander, or earns a twirl alongside Auston Matthews, the Yukon native is going to score. Maybe more than any other rookie in 2026-27.
Compared to Kucherov as an elite playmaker-in-the-making with outstanding vision and a top-tier hockey IQ, McKenna should be accounted for in all fantasy leagues of reasonable size. Goodness gracious, this kid banged out 129 points in 56 games in his final round in Medicine Hat before amassing 51 in 35 contests at Penn State last year. Plus, he doesn't seem overwhelmed at all by playing in Toronto's hockey hotbed.
Porter Martone, F, Philadelphia Flyers
Neck and neck with McKenna as this year's top fantasy rookie -- many pundits will reasonably argue the Flyers winger should rank first overall -- Martone seems eager to take the next step after making an excellent first impression. We were all super impressed with the teen's four goals and six assists on 32 shots through only nine regular-season games this past spring (another five points in 10 playoff contests). Projected to skate in Philly's top-six and on the No. 1 power play, while providing a much-appreciated front-of-net presence, the young power forward is going to put up points and add some of the physical stats. If it wasn't for McKenna's outstanding talent and projected position in Toronto's lineup, Martone would serve as my top fantasy rookie to launch 2026-27.
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Roman Kantserov, F, Chicago Blackhawks
He's going to score goals. Probably not at the rate of 0.57/game that led the KHL last year, but at a decent clip. If he maintains a spot on Chicago's top line and power play with Patrick Kane and (eventually) Connor Bedard, the 22-year-old might also find himself in the Calder conversation with others on this list. While I get the trepidation about linking fantasy arms with KHL exports -- it sometimes doesn't work out -- there are also enough success stories to appreciate. Remember when Artemi Panarin joined these same Blackhawks in 2015-16 and collected 77 points including 30 goals? Again, if afforded ample opportunities, Kantserov is going to shoot and score with regularity. Draft him late as a wild card in deeper leagues.
James Hagens, F, Boston Bruins
Don't expect the flashiest numbers from the 19-year-old if he sticks on a third line with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. But if Hagens ultimately climbs into the Bruins top six -- perhaps replacing Casey Mittelstadt -- and earns turns on the secondary power play, he could make more productive noise. After competing in five games between the regular season and playoffs this past spring, the seventh-overall draft selection (2025) is expected to remain in the NHL from start to finish. Draft the speedy and creative future center as a last-round flier in deeper leagues. Otherwise maintain him on your fantasy radar as action gets underway.
Anton Frondell, F, Chicago Blackhawks
I don't want to make too much about Frondell filling in for Bedard on the top line and power play since the Blackhawks captain isn't expected to miss that much time with his shoulder injury. Early November will be here before we know it. Instead, let's evaluate the 19-year-old through the fantasy lens as Chicago's regular second-line center, if Frank Nazar doesn't secure that gig, and participant on the secondary power-play. That brings us to a forecast season-long haul in the 55-60 point range. Hardly jaw-dropping, but solid for a teen center in his first year.
Make no mistake, as a burgeoning great player in this league, Frondell is going to build on his totals, year over year. I only think we should keep demands reasonable in his first full go around, even after the third-overall pick (2025) potted nine points in 12 contests last year. If you want to roll the dice on a robust October from the young Swede, go for it. Just have a plan in place for if/when he drops off once Bedard returns a month later.
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Ivar Stenberg, F, San Jose
Tapped the most NHL-ready skater of this year's draft crop after a successful run with Frolunda HC, Stenberg is expected to make an immediate impact in the NHL. ESPN draft analyst Rachel Kryshak suggests there's no question this year's second-overall selection makes the Sharks tangibly better, straight away:
"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."
While Sharks fans are concerned only about Stenberg helping his club fight for a playoff spot, we should probably temper our fantasy expectations. Lauded as a skilled two-way player, and prematurely poised to skate on a second line and secondary power play, Stenberg projects to earn 45 to 50 points in his first NHL season. Meaning, right now, his value appears limited in standard redraft competition. We'll see if that eventually changes via a possible line assignment with Celebrini.
Viggo Bjorck, F, Winnipeg Jets
Boy oh boy, if the 19-year-old manages to seize the second-line center position and nail down a spot on the secondary power play in Winnipeg, we may have a deep-league fantasy surprise on our hands. This year's eighth-overall draft pick could also start the campaign in the AHL. So, we're in wait-and-see mode for now.
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Cole Hutson, D, Washington Capitals
If we're to see a defenseman win the Calder Trophy for a third season in a row (which would be an NHL first), my money's on this kid. After collecting three goals and seven assists in 14 NHL games this past season, the youngest Hutson brother boasts the potential to serve as a top-25 fantasy defender in his first full campaign. Second behind fantasy heavyweight Jakob Chychrun on the Capitals, the Boston University alumnus is going to put up a minimum of 45 points this round. Draft the 20-year-old in deeper leagues after your top-two blue-line spots are filled.
Sebastian Cossa, G, Utah Mammoth
The former Detroit prospect is finally earning a legitimate shot at proving himself in the NHL. After three quality seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the 15th-overall draft pick (2021) is going to earn turns behind Mammoth No. 1 Karel Vejmelka. If all goes to plan in Utah, we can probably expect 25 games or so out of Cossa as Vejmelka is again expected to earn the bulk of starts. But you never know. If the veteran falls hurt or struggles otherwise, the 23-year-old could be busier for a pretty good team in Salt Lake City. While the rookie netminder isn't currently worth drafting out of the gates, he could emerge as a midseason fantasy replacement or streaming option as 2026-27 unfolds.
Jacob Fowler, G, Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens claim they're committed to running with two, not three, netminders this season. Right now that seems to be Jakub Dobes and Fowler, leaving Sam Montembeault out in the cold. If so, what does this timeshare look like? After Dobes made such a positive impression in his first regular season, and through three rounds of the playoffs, Fowler could see limited playing time. On the other hand, if Dobes doesn't equal last year's impressive showing, the 21-year-old goalie could earn more chances with a very competitive Canadiens squad. Through the fantasy lens, this is another goaltending situation to monitor closely when the games start to matter.
See also:
Ilya Protas, F, Washington Capitals
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