Projecting 2025-26 Fantasy Impact for the Top NHL Rookies

The 2025-26 rookie class has a few names who can matter right away in fantasy, not just in dynasty. With Matthew Schaefer headlining the group and multiple Montreal prospects in the mix, managers need to separate true impact options from stash-only fliers. Let’s dig into how these rookies fit into standard formats and where they make the most sense on your roster.

What’s New & Why It Matters

NHL.com’s rookie rankings for 2025-26 spotlight a small core of players who could step directly into fantasy relevance. Schaefer is viewed as the top rookie defenseman, with a profile that suggests meaningful usage for the New York Islanders. That alone is important: rookie defensemen rarely get the kind of deployment needed to matter outside deeper leagues, so any blue-liner projected this highly deserves extra attention.

Up front, the Montreal Canadiens feature prominently. Ivan Demidov is expected to land in a top-six role with strong offensive opportunity, while Oliver Kapanen profiles more as a deeper-league swing with upside if he sticks in a scoring role. In Anaheim, Beckett Sennecke projects as a top-six winger for the Anaheim Ducks, giving him a path to meaningful even-strength minutes and power-play looks.

In goal, Jakub Dobes is one of the more interesting rookie options. Goalie value is heavily tied to volume and team context, but being ranked among the top rookie netminders signals that he could see enough starts to matter, especially in formats that reward saves and volume over pure win totals.

For fantasy managers, the key is calibrating expectations: a handful of these rookies can be drafted as active contributors, while others are better treated as late stashes or early-season watchlist names you pounce on if deployment breaks right.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, you’re chasing raw scoring and power-play exposure. Schaefer’s status as the top rookie defenseman suggests he could see meaningful offensive usage for the Islanders, potentially including time on a power-play unit. Even if he doesn’t immediately run the top unit, any rookie blueliner with that kind of pedigree is worth strong consideration as a depth defense option with growth potential over the season.

Demidov is the forward with the clearest scoring upside. A projected top-six role with the Canadiens means he should skate with other skilled forwards and see favorable offensive-zone usage. In points-only leagues, that combination makes him one of the few rookies you can reasonably plan to plug into your active lineup from day one, with the expectation of steady production rather than just streaky bursts.

Sennecke’s appeal is similar, though with a bit more volatility. A top-six projection on the Ducks suggests he’ll get opportunity, but Anaheim’s offense is still developing. In points-only formats, he’s a viable mid-tier rookie option: not quite as bankable as Demidov, but absolutely worth a roster spot if you’re looking for upside on the wing.

Kapanen is more of a slow-burn asset in points-only. His upside is there, but his role is less secure than Demidov’s. In shallower points-only leagues, he’s more of a watchlist name; in deeper points formats, he’s a reasonable stash if you can afford to wait on deployment and chemistry to click.

Categories / Bangers

Multi-category leagues change the calculus. For defensemen, peripheral stats like shots, hits and blocks can carry a rookie even if the points lag early. Schaefer’s high ranking implies he won’t be buried on the depth chart, which means he should at least have the ice time to accumulate volume stats. If he brings even moderate physical play or shot volume, he can be a sneaky asset in bangers formats where replacement-level defensemen are thin.

Demidov’s value in categories leagues will hinge on whether he’s more of a pure skill scorer or a volume shooter who also chips in across the board. The expectation of significant offensive contribution suggests he’ll at least help in goals, assists and power-play points. If he adds decent shot totals, he becomes a strong all-around category contributor rather than just a scoring specialist.

Sennecke’s potential breakout hinges on how he’s used in Anaheim. Top-six minutes can translate to shots and possibly some hits if his game leans that way. In standard categories leagues, he’s more of a bench/utility option early, but one who can grow into a regular starter if he sticks on a scoring line and earns power-play time.

In goal, Dobes is the classic categories wild card. If he earns a meaningful share of starts for Montreal, he can help in saves and potentially wins, but rookie goalies are inherently volatile. In leagues that count save percentage and goals-against average, you’ll want to monitor his early performance closely before leaning on him heavily. He’s better treated as a third goalie or streaming option early rather than a locked-in starter.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty and keeper formats are where this rookie group really shines. Schaefer’s profile as the top rookie defenseman makes him a premium long-term asset on the blue line. Even if his immediate production is modest, the combination of pedigree and likely role for the Islanders suggests a multi-year runway of growth. He’s the type of defense prospect you’re comfortable building around in a keeper core.

Demidov is a foundational piece in dynasty. A top-six role in Montreal with strong offensive expectations gives him both a high ceiling and a relatively high floor. In long-term formats, he’s the forward you prioritize if you’re choosing between these rookies, as his path to becoming a top-line, top power-play producer is the clearest.

Sennecke is more of a high-upside swing. The Ducks have a young core, and if he cements himself as a long-term top-six winger, his value in dynasty could spike quickly. Managers who can tolerate some early inconsistency should be aggressive in acquiring him before a potential breakout season pushes his price higher.

Kapanen is a classic deep dynasty stash. His upside is intriguing, but his role is far from guaranteed. In shallower keeper leagues, he may not be worth occupying a protected slot yet; in deeper dynasty formats, he’s exactly the kind of prospect you tuck away on a farm roster and revisit in a year or two.

Dobes is a longer-term play in net. Goalie development is unpredictable, but being ranked among the top rookie goalies signals organizational belief. In dynasty, he’s a worthwhile stash if your goaltending pipeline is thin, with the understanding that his path to becoming a reliable fantasy starter may take time.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Matthew Schaefer – Add (all but shallowest leagues): Top rookie defenseman with a projected impact role for the Islanders makes him a priority blue-line target.
Ivan Demidov – Add (standard and deep leagues): Expected top-six role and offensive focus in Montreal give him one of the best immediate scoring outlooks among rookies.
Beckett Sennecke – Add/Watch (standard; strong add in deep): Top-six projection on a young Ducks team offers real upside if he clicks quickly.
Jakub Dobes – Watchlist / Third goalie: Monitor his share of starts and early performance before committing a key roster spot.
Oliver Kapanen – Deep-league add / Dynasty stash: Intriguing upside in Montreal, best suited for deeper formats and patient managers.

Fantasy Takeaways

Prioritize Matthew Schaefer among rookie defensemen; his projected role gives him a rare chance to matter immediately on the blue line.
Ivan Demidov is the safest bet for early scoring among this group and should be treated as a core offensive rookie in most formats.
Beckett Sennecke offers strong upside in Anaheim, especially if he locks into a permanent top-six and power-play role.
Jakub Dobes is best handled as a watchlist or third-goalie option until his workload and consistency become clearer.
Oliver Kapanen is a smart upside play for deep leagues and dynasty, but managers in shallow formats can afford to wait.

Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.