Top-5 Rookies to Watch Entering 2024-25 NHL Season

A new NHL season means a new crop of talented rookies, and this year the talent level is through the roof. The 2024-25 season is setting up to be an exciting one as expect to see a number of rookies make significant impacts throughout the year.

The new season begins on Friday and while some 2024 draft picks are certainly among the list, there's a few others from recent drafts, who appear set to make their mark this year. Here's the top-5 rookies to watch this season:

Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks

The 2024 first-overall pick has impressed with his maturity on and off the ice and reminds a lot of people of Sidney Crosby for the way he handles himself in practice and away from the rink. Celebrini left the Sharks preseason matchup on Tuesday with a lower-body injury, but hopefully it's nothing serious and he's able to make his NHL debut when San Jose opens their season. Celebrini is coming off a Hobey Baker award as the top NCAA player after posting 64 points in 38 games. He should hover around 50-60 points this season.

Lane Huston, Montreal Canadiens

The Habs haven't had a player that draws this much hype in quite some time. Every time Hutson has the puck on his stick, the Bell Centre gets on their feet. Huston is an elite skater with tremendous offensive awareness. He thinks the game at a very high level and at just 5-foot-9, 162 pounds, he has too. Hutson, 20, is expected to see top-four minutes in Montreal and should get a serious look on the team's power play. It won't be long before he's a household name in the league.

Lane Hutson lähtee vähän skrinnaamaan pic.twitter.com/opPMQOTObP
— Jouni Nieminen 🇺🇦 (@OnsideWithJouni) September 24, 2024

Jiri Kulich, Buffalo Sabres

Kulich has surprised some throughout camp and has been better than expected. He's made the team out of training camp, travelling with the Sabres to Czechia to open the season at the Global Series. Kulich is coming off an AHL all-star season where he produced 45 points in 57 games and there's a good chance he could stick in the top-nine forward group this season. The Sabres are desperate for some good news, so is their fan base, Kulich could be a bright spot this season.

Matvei Michkov, Philadelphia Flyers

Michkov has joined the Flyers two years earlier than anticipated and the fan base can't wait to see what the shifty Russian can bring. Michkov has shown serious chemistry with Travis Konecny and Morgan Frost, so far throughout preseason and there's a very good chance he's in the running for the Calder at season's end. Michkov produced nearly a point a game in the KHL, which is very hard to do for young forwards. He's ready for the bright lights and the type of personality to soak it all in.

Great shift from Konecny-Frost-Michkov. Beautiful few passes by Michkov#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/3RB3OTk7yW
— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) October 2, 2024

Logan Stankoven, Dallas Stars

After a brief stint with the Stars last season, Stankoven is getting set for his rookie year. The 5-foot-8 forward will be given every opportunity to succeed, as he's expected to play top-six minutes for the Stars. Dallas has been playing him alongside Jamie Benn and Mavrik Bourque, on a line that's going to piss a lot of opponents off. Stankoven produced right points in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games last season and should produce at least 50 points this season. Not bad for a 47th overall pick.