The past several NHL seasons have shown that rookies can make an impact, and this year's incoming class is generating a lot of attention, especially regarding European prospects. Rasmus Dahlin and Miro Heiskanen are highly touted defensemen. Forwards Elias Pettersson and Eeli Tolvanen had historic seasons in two of Europe's top pro leagues, while Russian power winger Andrei Svechnikov had one of the best goal-scoring seasons by a draft eligible in the OHL over the past 10 years.
If you were looking for the NHL's youth movement to be a fad, you're out of luck.
Here's a look at several prospects likely to make an impact as rookies, including their fantasy hockey outlooks.
Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo Sabres
It is only natural to expect big things for Dahlin, given the hype that has surrounded his name in the past year, but it isn't a bad thing to temper expectations a little. On top of making the jump to the NHL, Dahlin has to manage the transition to North American ice. That said, Dahlin's hockey sense is among his best attributes and a big reason I think he's going to be able to make the transition rather seamlessly. He also had an unprecedented season in terms of point production as a U18 player, with 20 points in the Swedish Hockey League last year. In a lot of ways, he is a freak of nature.
Even knowing that, the Sabres probably won't rush him into anything he isn't ready for, and it might require some patience as he finds his NHL legs, as all young defensemen tend to take some time to adjust. I think his entry into the league can be a little bit more of a slow burn, but I have no doubt that he is only going to get better and better as the season progresses and he gets more comfortable. He has already shown in the preseason that he isn't afraid to be himself.
Fantasy impact: Dahlin is sure to be selected in most leagues and is worth rostering right away, but just be patient if the points don't come immediately.
Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Players with good physical strength on top of speed and skills are going to have a chance to make a big impact more quickly than most. Svechnikov has been a physically dominant player in his two junior seasons in North America, showcasing power and control. He might not be able to get to the net as easily as he did in the lower levels, but he has a pro shot already. If he gets substantial ice time with one of Carolina's top playmakers, such as Sebastian Aho or Teuvo Teravainen (or both), he could put up some particularly strong numbers. While a good setup man helps a lot, Svechnikov can create on his own once he figures out how to get the edge on NHL defensemen. Boasting the best goal-scoring rate in the OHL since Steven Stamkos and Connor McDavid's pre-draft seasons, Svechnikov scored 0.91 goals per game as a 17-year-old. His scoring isn't going to suddenly dry up in the NHL.
Fantasy impact: Of the teenage rookies coming into the league this year, Svechnikov probably has the best chance to produce at a high rate. I am expecting him to put up numbers comparable to those of Brock Boeser last season.
Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks
At just 19 years old, Pettersson won the SHL's regular-season and playoff MVP awards and broke Kent Nilsson's record for most points by a U20 player in Sweden's top flight. It was a ridiculous season by a number of measures. Now comes the hard part. There is no question that Pettersson has high-end hands and an elite-level release on his shot. Where there is concern is in his strength and durability. He's a lanky player who can be difficult to hit due to his shifty puck skills, but there were times last season when he could be knocked off his game in more physical affairs. Nothing is going to come easily, but Pettersson's puck skills allow him to at least make it look easy.
Fantasy impact: Keep a close eye on where Vancouver lines Pettersson up at the start of the season. Quality of linemates should have a pretty big impact on Pettersson's overall ability to produce.
Ryan Donato, LW, Boston Bruins
Donato wasted no time with his opportunity last season, balancing his time finishing classes at Harvard with lighting up scoreboards over a thrilling 12-game stint to close out the regular season with Boston. Donato ended that run with nine points, scoring five goals on 24 shots and averaging quality middle-six minutes on the wing. It was further proof that he is ready for the next step. There's no question that Donato can fire the puck, and he really packed on the strength he needed to gain over three seasons at Harvard. As he showed in his NHL stint and with Team USA at the 2018 Olympics, he is offensively advanced and well-positioned to take on a substantial role with the Bruins this season.
Fantasy impact: You don't want to get too caught up in a 12-game run from the previous season, but Donato could be worth a late-round draft pick or keeping on your watch list for the early season. If he starts hot, don't wait to pick him up.
Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars
It sounds like Heiskanen has already done a lot to impress his coaches and teammates with his maturity. He plays the game with such easiness. It helps that he was a top-pairing defenseman in Finland's top pro league last season, logging major minutes and producing 23 points in just 30 games. Playing two years of pro in Finland and getting opportunities in both the Olympics and World Championship have prepared Heiskanen about as well as any 19-year-old blueliner could hope. On top of that, he has a coach who is going to let him find his way in the league and give him opportunities to play a substantial role. His offensive game has grown over the past year as well, as he has shown an ability to get shots through and make smart passes. If he continues on his current development arc, his role and minutes should only grow as the season progresses.
Fantasy impact: I actually took Heiskanen with my last pick in my draft and will leave him parked on my bench for a little while as we learn more about his usage. If he doesn't get a lot of power-play time, I'd worry about his ability to put up numbers in Year 1.
Casey Mittelstadt, C, Buffalo Sabres
Mittelstadt is one of the rare hockey players whose easily shortened nickname is also apropos of his play. "Mitts" is one of the more creative puckhandlers among his rookie peers, with smooth moves and confidence with the puck. His ability to create in tight spaces with the vision and shot to make him a deadly passer or shooter has expectations sky high. In a brief stint with the Sabres following his first and only college season at the University of Minnesota, Mittelstadt had a goal and four assists in six games. It was a confident start for a player coming off a very average freshman year that ended in disappointment for the Golden Gophers, who failed to reach the NCAA tournament. While 30 points in 34 games is a solid enough number for most freshmen, it didn't meet the lofty expectations for the former No. 8 overall pick. That said, he was dominant at the World Juniors, earning MVP honors. If he ends up securing the No. 2 center job out of camp in Buffalo, he could make a pretty sizable impact just based on usage and quality of linemates.
Fantasy impact: I think Mittelstadt still has a bit of a learning curve, and the strength thing could be an issue early on, but that didn't stop me from picking him up late in my fantasy league. He should get a good, long look in an impact role for Buffalo, which bodes well for his ability to produce -- and soon.
Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Nashville Predators
The excitement over what Tolvanen did in the KHL and at the Olympics won him a lot of attention. Yet when he joined the Predators at the end of last season, they shied away from using him. He appeared in three regular-season games and not at all in the playoffs, but Nashville wasn't exactly in need of extra help at that point. Additionally, Tolvanen might find power-play time and minutes harder to come by based on Nashville's depth at wing. As a result, expectations should probably be tempered a bit for Tolvanen, who scored more points than any U19 player in any previous KHL season. He's going to be a solid NHLer, but it is more likely that he fills depth for now.
Fantasy impact: I wouldn't completely rule out Tolvanen finding his way into Nashville's top six, but if he doesn't get significant power-play time, it's a bit of a buyer beware situation. Definitely keep a close eye on how Nashville is lining up on special teams before making that add.
Henrik Borgstrom, C/W, Florida Panthers
Borgstrom routinely made highlight-reel plays in his two dominant years in the NCAA and showed off advanced offensive instincts while helping Denver win a national title as a freshman. He appeared in four games with the Panthers at the end of last season and managed to score a goal. With a summer of strength training under his belt, I'd expect him to compete for a substantial role as the season progresses in Florida. Borgstrom put up 95 points in his 77 games over two years at Denver. I think his playing with a strong, young core in Florida will lend itself to an exciting and fruitful transition to the NHL.
Fantasy impact: Borgstrom is flying under the radar a bit, so you might be able to nab him on the waiver wire after getting a peek at where the Panthers end up playing him. I think he's the kind of player who can make a fairly immediate impact if put in the right situation.
Martin Necas, C, Carolina Hurricanes
As excited as Hurricanes fans rightfully are about Svechnikov, they're almost equally amped for Necas, who very well could be their No. 2 center as early as this season. He's going to get a long look there with Victor Rask out with an injury. Carolina was smart to send Necas back to the Czech Republic last season to get him an extra year of development. He made the most of it, averaging 0.71 points per game in the Czech league, which was the best scoring rate by a U19 player since Jiri Hudler had a point per game in 2001-02. Necas also dominated at the World Junior Championship and played a substantial role for the Czech Republic at the Men's World Championship, with five points in seven games. He has the size, strength and skill to compete at the highest level, and it sounds like a lot will be asked of him early in Carolina.
Fantasy impact: Necas is a physically mature player and should be able to make some plays. Adjusting to the center position in the NHL might take time, but he's a guy you should have on your watch list now.
Filip Zadina, RW, Detroit Red Wings
I think the learning curve is going to be a bit steeper for Zadina. He faded a bit down the stretch last season and didn't make as much of an impact in the QMJHL playoffs, but having seen some of his games with the Czech national team at the end of the season, he's getting closer to being pro-ready. The Wings plan to use him a bunch this preseason to get him used to the NHL pace. I think his making the jump from junior to the NHL is going to be a little tricky, and if the Red Wings have any doubts, they can start him in the AHL to help make the adjustment.
Fantasy impact: Zadina has big-name recognition among fans who have been following the prospects, but if you haven't drafted yet, you might want to hold off and see where he ends up within the organization.
Other prospects to watch:
Jordan Kyrou, RW, St. Louis Blues
Dylan Strome, C/W, Arizona Coyotes