Every fantasy hockey season brings a new group of rookies who could change the complexion of a fantasy league.
Some arrive with enormous prospect hype. Others quietly earn a spot in an NHL top six during training camp. A few start the season buried on the depth chart before becoming fantasy-relevant a month or two later. That makes drafting rookies one of the more difficult parts of fantasy hockey, but the upside can be enormous.
For the 2026/27 season, the rookie class is particularly interesting. Gavin McKenna, Porter Martone, Ivar Stenberg, Anton Frondell, Cole Hutson and James Hagens headline a group with legitimate fantasy upside, while several less-heralded players are entering training camp with opportunities that could dramatically change their value. NHL.com’s current fantasy rankings have Martone, McKenna and Hutson leading its rookie board, while the latest overall rankings place several other rookies well inside the top 200.
For The Add List, we’re less interested in simply ranking prospects, we’re interested in answering one question: Which rookies can actually help you win your fantasy league this season?
Here are our top 10, followed by 10 more players worth keeping very close tabs on.
Top 10 Fantasy Rookies for 2026/27
1. Porter Martone — RW, Philadelphia Flyers
Martone is the rookie I’m most comfortable drafting in a standard fantasy league because we’ve already seen him produce against NHL competition. After joining Philadelphia late last season, he recorded 10 points in nine regular-season games and added five points in 10 playoff games. More importantly for fantasy managers, his production came with a physical element that gives him additional value in leagues counting hits, and Philadelphia has a clear incentive to give its young power forward significant offensive responsibility. NHL.com currently has Martone first among rookies with an average draft position around 69, and the expectation is that he will compete for top-line and first-power-play opportunities.
The Add List Take: Martone has one of the best combinations of floor and upside in this rookie class. He doesn’t need everything to go right to become fantasy relevant because we’ve already seen him produce at the NHL level. If he gets consistent top-six minutes and first-unit power-play time, a 50-plus-point rookie season is very realistic, with additional value in leagues that count hits and shots.
2. Gavin McKenna — LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
McKenna has arguably the highest offensive ceiling of any rookie in this class, and his landing spot makes him extremely difficult to ignore. The first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft produced 51 points in 35 games at Penn State last season and finished second in scoring at the World Junior Championship with 14 points in seven games. Toronto gives him access to elite offensive talent regardless of where he starts, and current reports have him working with William Nylander and John Tavares while other combinations involving Auston Matthews remain possible. He is also expected to receive power-play opportunity, which could be a major fantasy boost.
The Add List Take: The biggest question isn’t whether McKenna has fantasy talent; it’s how quickly that talent translates to the NHL. If he adjusts immediately to the pace and physicality, he has a legitimate chance to challenge for the rookie scoring lead. I wouldn’t be surprised if McKenna eventually becomes the most valuable fantasy rookie in this class, but Martone’s NHL experience gives him a slightly safer profile entering the draft.
3. Cole Hutson — D, Washington Capitals
Hutson could be the most valuable rookie defenseman in fantasy this season. He already showed what he can do during his 14-game NHL audition last season, recording 10 points and six power-play points while averaging more than 17 minutes per game. His offensive instincts and skating give him the ability to generate offense from the blue line, and the departure of John Carlson creates a potentially important opportunity for Hutson to earn more responsibility. ESPN projects him for a significant offensive role in Washington, while NHL.com ranks him third among rookies and inside the top 115 players overall.
The Add List Take: Hutson is the rookie defenseman I’m most willing to draft aggressively. Defensemen who can contribute on the power play while also providing shots and some peripheral production are difficult to find, and Hutson has already demonstrated that he can create offense at the NHL level. If his role grows throughout the season, he could become a legitimate fantasy difference-maker.
4. Anton Frondell — C, Chicago Blackhawks
Frondell is one of my favorite value plays among the entire rookie class. The third overall pick in the 2025 draft appeared in 12 NHL games last season and produced nine points, including six assists and two power-play points. Chicago could also give him an opportunity to take on a larger role early in the season while Connor Bedard is unavailable. Interestingly, the Blackhawks opened camp with Frondell centering Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Lardis on the second line, giving him an immediate opportunity to play in an offensive environment.
The Add List Take: Frondell feels like the type of rookie who could outperform his draft position. He’s already shown that he can produce against NHL competition, and his combination of size, shooting ability and playmaking gives him multiple ways to create fantasy value. If Chicago keeps him in a top-six role, I think he has a legitimate chance to push toward 50 points.
5. Ivar Stenberg — LW, San Jose Sharks
Stenberg is one of the most intriguing rookies because he combines elite prospect pedigree with legitimate professional experience. The second overall pick in the 2026 draft recorded 33 points in 43 SHL games as an 18-year-old, then helped Sweden win gold at the World Junior Championship. He enters a San Jose lineup already loaded with young offensive talent, which could create both opportunity and competition for ice time. The Sharks have plenty of reasons to be patient with him, but if he finds himself alongside Macklin Celebrini or Michael Misa, his fantasy ceiling rises considerably.
The Add List Take: Stenberg may have a slightly wider range of outcomes than the players above him, but the ceiling is enormous. I’m particularly interested if he earns a top-six role early in the season. In deeper leagues, he is exactly the kind of rookie I’d be willing to draft before his fantasy breakout becomes obvious to everyone else.
6. Roman Kantserov — RW, Chicago Blackhawks
Kantserov is one of the biggest risers on my rookie board because his opportunity is becoming much more interesting. He led the KHL with 36 goals and finished with 64 points in 63 games last season, and Chicago appears prepared to give him a legitimate offensive role. The Blackhawks opened camp with Kantserov on the first line alongside Frank Nazar and Patrick Kane, which is exactly the type of development fantasy managers want to see. With Bedard unavailable to start the season, Chicago has an opportunity to spread offensive responsibility throughout its young forward group.
The Add List Take: Kantserov could be one of the biggest draft-day bargains in this rookie class. His KHL production already suggests he’s capable of scoring, and the early camp deployment gives him a legitimate path to top-six minutes. If the chemistry with Nazar and Kane continues, his fantasy value could move quickly.
7. Maxim Shabanov — RW, Minnesota Wild
Shabanov is my wildcard entry into the top 10. He isn’t included in NHL.com’s current top-10 rookie fantasy ranking, but that’s exactly why I think he’s interesting for The Add List. The most important development coming out of Minnesota’s camp is that Shabanov has received an opportunity alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman. Minnesota doesn’t have to hand him a top-line job, but if the coaching staff continues experimenting with him alongside its superstar winger, his fantasy ceiling changes dramatically. NHL.com’s training-camp coverage specifically flagged the Kaprizov-Shabanov combination as one to monitor.
The Add List Take: This is an opportunity play more than a safe projection. I wouldn’t draft Shabanov ahead of the established names above him simply because of a few camp practices, but he’s exactly the type of player I want on my radar. If he starts the season with Kaprizov and receives power-play exposure, he could move from sleeper to legitimate fantasy target very quickly.
8. James Hagens — C, Boston Bruins
Hagens might be the rookie with the biggest gap between his current draft value and his long-term offensive potential. The seventh overall pick in 2025 followed a strong freshman season at Boston College with 47 points in 34 games as a sophomore, then added four points in six AHL games before seeing NHL action. The question entering the season is role. Hagens could start lower in Boston’s lineup and on the second power play, but there is very little doubt about the offensive talent. ESPN has him as a player capable of producing 55-plus points if he earns a top-six role.
The Add List Take: Hagens is a player I’m willing to draft with the expectation that his value could increase as the season progresses. He may not be an immediate fantasy star, but if Boston gives him more offensive responsibility, he has the skill set to make a major jump. He’s especially attractive in leagues where patience is rewarded.
9. Konsta Helenius — C, Buffalo Sabres
Helenius is one of the more difficult rookies to project because his fantasy value will depend heavily on his role in Buffalo. He already has professional experience and played nine NHL games last season before scoring twice in four playoff games. He then scored the overtime winner for Finland at the 2026 World Championship. Buffalo also has an opening created by the departure of Alex Tuch, and Helenius has the versatility to play center or wing.
The Add List Take: Helenius isn’t the rookie I’m drafting for pure offensive upside, but he’s a very interesting late-round option. If Buffalo gives him a top-nine role and special-teams opportunity, he could quietly become one of those players who sticks in fantasy lineups because he contributes consistently without requiring a huge investment.
10. Jacob Fowler — G, Montreal Canadiens
Fowler is the most difficult player on this list to project because goalie value depends so heavily on workload. He appeared in 17 NHL games last season and finished with a 9-6-2 record, a .908 save percentage and one shutout. Montreal also has Jakub Dobes, who emerged as a major part of the team’s success last season, so Fowler’s fantasy value is tied directly to how the Canadiens divide the crease. NHL.com currently ranks Fowler ninth among rookies and 208th overall, making him much more of a late-round gamble than the top skaters on this list.
The Add List Take: I wouldn’t draft Fowler expecting him to immediately become a full-time No. 1. I’d draft him because there is a path to a valuable workload on a young Montreal team that could provide plenty of opportunities for wins. If the Canadiens settle into a genuine tandem, Fowler could have considerable fantasy value in leagues that allow multiple goalies.
10 More Rookies to Watch
The next 10 players aren’t necessarily players I’m telling you to draft in a standard 12-team league right now. They’re players whose fantasy value could change quickly based on training camp, injuries, roster decisions or increased ice time.
In other words, these are the names I want on my watch list.
11. Ilya Protas — LW, Washington Capitals
Protas is one of my favorite deep sleepers because Washington has already given him an interesting opportunity. He opened camp on a line with his brother Aliaksei Protas and offseason addition Jordan Kyrou, and he scored four points in his first four NHL games last season. Washington has considerable forward depth, so his path to consistent fantasy production isn’t guaranteed, but the combination of size, skill and potential chemistry with Kyrou makes him very interesting.
Watch for: Top-six minutes and power-play exposure.
12. Victor Eklund — LW, New York Islanders
Eklund is a player whose stock could change dramatically during the first few weeks of the season. He already appeared in an NHL game last season and produced at more than a point-per-game rate in the AHL, but his biggest question is whether he can force his way into a meaningful role with the Islanders. Early camp reports have been encouraging, with coach Peter DeBoer praising his versatility and competitiveness.
Watch for: A top-nine role and power-play opportunity.
13. Cole Eiserman — LW, New York Islanders
Eiserman has enormous goal-scoring potential, but his immediate fantasy value depends on whether the Islanders decide to keep him in the NHL. He scored a power-play goal during the preseason and is competing for an offensive role alongside several other young Islanders forwards. He’s not someone I’d force into a standard redraft roster yet, but the scoring upside is too significant to ignore.
Watch for: Whether he makes the opening-night roster and where he plays.
14. Matvei Gridin — RW, Calgary Flames
Gridin is a particularly interesting late-round name because his development has continued to move in the right direction. He is coming off a season in which he continued to establish himself as an offensive threat, and current prospect evaluations have him pushing for an NHL opportunity in Calgary. If he earns top-line or power-play exposure, he could become relevant much faster than his draft position suggests.
Watch for: A top-six opportunity and power-play role.
15. Tij Iginla — C/LW, Utah Mammoth
Iginla remains one of the more interesting young forwards in the Utah organization, but this is a player where patience may be required. Utah has considerable forward depth, which could make it difficult for him to immediately secure a fantasy-friendly role. If he makes the NHL roster and finds himself in the top nine, however, his offensive skill makes him worth monitoring closely.
Watch for: Whether Utah keeps him in the NHL rather than sending him to the AHL.
16. Carter Yakemchuk — D, Ottawa Senators
Yakemchuk is one of the defensemen I’d keep on the radar in deeper leagues. His fantasy appeal comes from his offensive game and shot generation, but the immediate question is whether Ottawa gives him enough NHL responsibility to make him useful in redraft formats. NHL.com’s rookie watch list specifically identifies him as a potential player to consider, making him a name worth monitoring as roster decisions are finalized.
Watch for: NHL roster spot plus second-unit power-play time.
17. Bradly Nadeau — RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Nadeau is another player who could become interesting if opportunity opens up. Carolina has a deep roster, which makes it difficult for young forwards to immediately grab major minutes, but Nadeau’s scoring ability gives him the potential to become fantasy relevant if he earns a top-nine role. He’s more of a watch-list player for standard leagues right now, but that could change quickly if his camp deployment improves.
Watch for: Top-nine minutes and offensive-zone deployment.
18. Caleb Desnoyers — C, Utah Mammoth
Desnoyers is a name I would particularly monitor in keeper and dynasty leagues, but his redraft value depends on how aggressively Utah wants to accelerate his development. The Mammoth have a number of young forwards competing for NHL opportunities, so his immediate path could be difficult. Still, the combination of skill, size and offensive upside makes him a player worth tracking if injuries or roster movement create an opening.
Watch for: A surprise NHL roster spot.
19. Sebastian Cossa — G, Utah Mammoth
Cossa is a completely different type of fantasy stash. His value isn’t necessarily about what he does on opening night; it’s about what happens if Utah’s goaltending situation changes. He remains one of the more interesting young goalies in the NHL system, but workload is everything for a redraft goalie. If he earns an NHL backup job and starts seeing regular action, his fantasy value could rise quickly. NHL.com lists him among the rookie goalies worth considering.
Watch for: NHL roster status and backup duties.
20. Roger McQueen — C, Anaheim Ducks
McQueen is another player I wouldn’t force into a standard-league draft yet, but he’s worth keeping on the radar because of his offensive ceiling. Anaheim has several young forwards competing for opportunities, so his immediate fantasy path depends on where he lands on the depth chart. If he earns a top-nine role and power-play time, the conversation changes quickly.
Watch for: NHL roster spot and special-teams usage.
The Add List Rookie Draft Board
If I’m sitting at a fantasy draft right now, this is how I’d approach the rookie class:
Draft With Confidence
Porter Martone
Gavin McKenna
Cole Hutson
Anton Frondell
These are the rookies I’d be most comfortable selecting in a standard league if the draft price makes sense.
Draft For Upside
Ivar Stenberg
Roman Kantserov
Maxim Shabanov
James Hagens
These are the players where I’m particularly interested in the potential gap between their draft price and their eventual fantasy value.
Late-Round Targets
Konsta Helenius
Jacob Fowler
Ilya Protas
Victor Eklund
These are the players I’d be happy to take late if their roles continue moving in the right direction.
Watch Closely
Cole Eiserman
Matvei Gridin
Tij Iginla
Carter Yakemchuk
Bradly Nadeau
Caleb Desnoyers
Sebastian Cossa
Roger McQueen
These are the names I want on my watch list heading into opening night.
The Biggest Rookie Fantasy Mistake
The biggest mistake you can make with rookies is drafting based entirely on prospect rankings.
Fantasy hockey isn’t a prospect draft. It’s a role draft.
A highly rated prospect playing 13 minutes a night on a third line may have less fantasy value than a slightly less heralded player skating 18 minutes alongside an elite scorer. That’s why training camp matters so much.
Look at the lines.
Look at the power play.
Look at the ice time.
Look at who is getting opportunities when injuries occur.
And then look at the draft price.
The combination of talent + opportunity + draft cost is what creates fantasy value.
The Add List Take
This could be one of the best rookie classes for fantasy managers in several years, but that doesn’t mean you should load up on rookies during your draft.
The goal is to identify the right ones.
Martone and McKenna have the potential to become immediate fantasy contributors. Hutson could provide rare rookie production from the blue line. Frondell and Kantserov are two Chicago players whose opportunities could expand quickly, while Stenberg and Hagens have the talent to become much more valuable as their NHL roles develop.
Then there are the players who aren’t quite draftable in every league yet, but that’s where things get really interesting.
Eklund, Protas, Eiserman, Gridin, Iginla and several others could move rapidly up the fantasy board if their training-camp opportunities turn into regular-season roles.
The lesson is simple:
Don’t just draft the rookie with the most hype. Draft the rookie with the best combination of talent, opportunity and value.
And keep watching, because by November, this list could look very different. Happy Drafting!
– The Add List +