Who are the top NHL rookies to watch out for?

The NHL regular season is finally here and DAZN is THE place to watch all the NHL action unfold.

DAZN is the new home of the NHL, streaming every game of the 2025/26 season exclusively internationally, beginning tonight when the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, have their banner night as they host the Chicago Blackhawks. With the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Finals included, that's over 1,300 games available live* and on demand on DAZN in over 200 countries (excl. US, Canada, select others).

Last season, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was the Calder Trophy winner for top rookie. Based on looking at the 2025-26 crop of rookies, it could be another Canadiens player winning the coveted award.

DAZN News provides all of that information for you below on the top rookies to watch out for during the 2025-26 NHL campaign.

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Ivan Demidov 

Demidov has been deemed by many pundits as the odds-on favorite to win the Calder Trophy. The No. 5 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft is expected to be on the top-six for the Canadiens. The team has been sorely lacking on the power play as it's finished outside the top 20 since the 2020-21 season. The 19-year-old was the KHL Rookie of the Year as he registered 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) for the SKA St. Petersburg club. After signing his three-year rookie contract with the Canadiens on April 8, Demidov had two points (one goal, one assist) in two regular-season games and also two assists in five Stanley Cup Playoff games. 

"I just think his brain and his offensive processor is so high that he can make quick plays out of nothing," Canadiens amateur scout Joey Tenute said to NHL.com. "On the attack, he's an extremely dangerous player. He can push defenders back, can manipulate postures and find teammates through a different variety of passing ... sauce, area passes, backhand, forehand. He's got a lot in his arsenal."

Jimmy Snuggerud

Snuggerud was the No. 23 pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 2022 NHL Draft. Before joining the Blues in the final stretch of the 2024-2025 NHL season, Snuggerud notched 51 points (24 goals, 27 assists) in 40 games as a junior for the University of Minnesota. 

When the 21-year-old made it to the pros, he didn't disappoint as Snuggerud had four points (one goal, three assists) in seven regular-season games and four points (two goals, two assists) in seven Stanley Cup Playoffs appearances. It was quite an impressive start for Snuggerud as the Blues put a lot of trust in him by putting him on the top line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich.

Now, with a little bit more seasoning, watch out as Snuggerud is going to give Demidov a run for his money to win top rookie.

Ryan Leonard

The No. 8 pick of the 2023 NHL Draft is ready to the league by storm. During his sophomore season last year at Boston College, Leonard lit the NCAA on fire with 30 goals in just 37 games after scoring 31 goals in 41 games as a freshman. Leonard then made the move to the NHL and scored a goal in nine games with Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, along with an assist in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Leonard is expected to be on one of the top two lines as the season gets underway.

How to watch the NHL on DAZN: Live stream info

Every NHL game during the 2025/26 season, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs, is available worldwide on DAZN,  excluding the United States, Canada, and select others countries.

With exclusive rights, DAZN is the only place internationally to watch NHL, with access to over 1,300 games per season, available live* and on demand.

You can watch the NHL via the DAZN App, available on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, game consoles, and web browsers.

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• Every game live, including the playoffs and the Stanley Cup Final
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How much is the NHL.TV on DAZN?

NHL fans can watch the NHL.TV on DAZN either as a standalone subscription or as an add-on to a current subscription. Annual and monthly options are available, with an upfront season standard subscription in the UK costing £109.99. 

For prices in your country, consult  DAZN.com.

*Select live games in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will be blacked out but made available on demand following the conclusion of the game.