The first few months of the NHL season often give us a glimpse of who will be the next breed of player. This season, a good number of young players have not only moved into bigger roles, but they’ve seized them. Emerging stars have taken charge and become key pieces of their teams’ game plans, leading to an upswing in performance and all-around buzz.
Here’s a power ranking of the best young players who stood out this fall and why they matter.
Macklin Celebrini — C, San Jose Sharks
The first overall pick started the season with heavy expectations and has flashed maturity beyond his years thus far. Celebrini is already the Sharks’ main offensive threat, taking the puck through the middle and creating rush chances. He has a high hockey IQ. This shows in his ability to calmly gauge pressure and adapt his pace. Moreover, he can find space for his teammates. Despite the Sharks still being in the rebuilding process, Celebrini at least already looks like the franchise’s identity cornerstone.
Ivan Demidov — RW, Montreal Canadiens
Demidov arrived with a reputation for skill and creativity and he has lived up to the billing. His ability to play in tight spaces and take opponents on one-on-one makes him one of the most dynamic young wingers in the league. He shows star potential in every shift. The longer the season goes on and he earns more power-play responsibility, the more his production could rise.He might be the reason behind everything good for Montreal. Hockey betting fans following proceedings have an edge as there is an exclusive promo code for hockey fans to use in their slips. Details are available on Sportytrader.
Zayne Parekh — D, Calgary Flames
There aren’t many offensive defensemen who can handle the puck well in the NHL today; Parekh certainly fits the bill. He is one of the young blueliners you are definitely going to want to watch because of his instincts on transitions and power-play quarterbacking. Parekh isn’t hesitant to get involved, but the control he demonstrates when doing so sets him apart from the pack. Calgary views him as a long-term top-four piece, and early signs this fall hint at the fact that he may get there sooner.
Frank Nazar — C, Chicago Blackhawks
As Chicago builds around Connor Bedard, Nazar has stepped up as a valuable secondary scoring option. He accelerates quickly, thinks quickly, and uses his edgework to create space in the offensive zone.
He is also establishing solid two-way habits that are allowing him to earn trust in more meaningful minutes. If the Blackhawks keep giving Nazar exposure alongside skilled finishers, he could be one of the league’s most noticeable mid-season risers.
Artyom Levshunov — D, Chicago Blackhawks
Levshunov’s calm presence below the pressure has made him stand out early in Chicago’s youth movement, which has extended to the blue line. He transports the puck effectively, finishes plays with a good stick, and plays a surprisingly physical game for a young defenceman. Levshunov’s growth could greatly speed up the timeline of the Chicago rebuild if he keeps getting penalty-kill and late-game duties.
Anton Lundell — C, Florida Panthers
Lundell, while no stranger to the NHL stage, has made an important progression from reliable depth centre to a contributing factor in Florida’s middle six. He is one of the best defensive reads among young forwards in the league, while his growing offensive consistency makes him invaluable versus elite competition. Lundell’s evolution shows us how players don’t just grow after their debut. Their development continues with role, confidence, and maturing game.
Yaroslav Askarov — G, San Jose Sharks
A breakout season by a goaltender can change everything for a franchise and Askarov is positioning himself to be that type of turning point for the Sharks. People often pay attention to his athleticism, but this fall he has balanced that with better rebound control and improved patience in the crease. Should he earn starts consistently and post even league-average numbers, he’d be one of the biggest stories of the season.
These new up-and-coming are not only exciting individuals but also reflect how the NHL is changing.
Why these breakouts matter
- Teams are trusting highly touted youngsters earlier. Instead of easing slowly into line-ups with sheltered development paths, players are getting meaningful at-bats and innings right away.
- The new focus is on Speed, puck movement and adaptability, rather than size-first.
- Cost-controlled talent is reshaping how rosters are built across teams with salary cap restraints.
For fantasy players, usage is the key stat to pay attention to — not goals. The primary factors driving consistent offensive success are a player’s assignment to a strong cage or type of game and then the full-time top-six deployment.
This fall, these rising stars are not just making noise early in the season; they’ll be integral to their teams’ futures. If these players keep making progress, not only will they redefine the league’s next competitive era, but they could also tilt playoff races this season.
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