The 2021 NHL rookie class is really fun -- but also really complicated. The introduction of taxi squads and delayed starts to Canadian junior hockey has given NHL teams more roster flexibility than they often have at this stage of the season. And the rollout of the flat salary cap has placed a premium on low-dollar contracts, meaning more first-years are being offered long looks and good opportunities.
Most teams will have at least one rookie in their lineup on any given night. How does the class stack up? To help cut through some of the noise, I wanted to take a look at a number of rookies either on opening night rosters, on taxi squads or already assigned to the AHL who are worth knowing as the season progresses. So I broke the class into tiers to separate rookies I expect to make the biggest impacts right off the bat from others who could be contributors to their individual teams, even if that doesn't mean they'll remain in the Calder Trophy conversation.
In all, we tiered nearly four dozen rookies, starting with three high-end Calder favorites. And in addition to the ranking, I offered up my personal pick to win the award for the league's best rookie.
Jump to:
Tier 1: Top Calder contenders
Tier 2: Calder challengers
Tier 3: Impact players
Tier 4: Contributors and role players
Tier 5: Taxi squadders and call-up options
Calder Trophy pick for 2021
TIER 1: TOP CALDER CONTENDERS
These are players who are the most likely to have dominant rookie campaigns and win the Calder Trophy.
Igor Shesterkin, G, New York Rangers
Shesterkin has a chance to be the rare rookie No. 1 goaltender on a team with reasonable playoff aspirations. His performance last season suggests that he is more than ready for this step. The fact that he's 25 years old and had significant KHL experience before entering the NHL might sway some voters against him, but even if he doesn't win the Calder, it's hard to see him not being one of the most impactful rookies in the league this season.
Shesterkin posted a .932 save percentage over his first 12 NHL appearances with the Rangers last season. He got into only one game in the postseason bubble -- it didn't go particularly well -- but the vast body of work we have on Shesterkin suggests he is an elite goaltending talent. He had a .934 save percentage in 25 AHL games last season and a .934 career save percentage in 117 KHL games. While I wouldn't reasonably expect a save percentage north of .930 in his first NHL season, he's going to make a mark on New York's campaign.
Kirill Kaprizov, RW, Minnesota Wild
The wait is finally over. Outside of the Wild fan base, I'm not sure there's anyone more excited to finally see Kaprizov in the NHL than me. He has been an impressive talent for years and has only gotten better and better.
The last rookie of this quality to come out of the KHL in his early 20s was Artemi Panarin, who burst onto the scene with 77 points in a Calder Trophy-winning 2015-16 season. Kaprizov is slightly younger than Panarin was at the time he entered the NHL, but just like Panarin, he had 62 points in his final KHL season. Kaprizov also led the league in goal scoring in each of the past two seasons. While Kaprizov won't have Patrick Kane on his opposite wing, like Panarin did that rookie season, expectations should be high for his ability to contribute at a reasonably high rate.
Kaprizov has great physical strength and plays with pace. He doesn't just shoot from the outside; he drives the net and makes plays in tight. He's strong on the puck and battles away from it, and when he's open, the puck is usually going in. The Wild have a potential game-breaker on their hands, and one who doesn't need anyone else to drive the play for him.
Alexis Lafreniere, LW, New York Rangers
I can't think of another forward this NHL-ready right out of his draft since Auston Matthews entered the league. Lafreniere has the physical profile and hockey sense to make an impact immediately for the Rangers. Coming off of back-to-back seasons where he was the top player in all of Canadian junior hockey, he's more than ready for this next step of his career.
Playing behind Panarin in New York's middle six might help open things up for Lafreniere in terms of getting more favorable matchups. He doesn't have to be handled with kid gloves, though. One of the separating factors between Lafreniere and so many of his peers is the way he engages physically. He's a monster on the forecheck and wins puck battles routinely. It will be harder at the NHL level, but he has already tacked on extra weight and possesses solid physical strength. While he'll have to adjust to the NHL pace, he should not be as overwhelmed by the physical side of the game as many rookies are.
TIER 2: CALDER CHALLENGERS
These are players who should make serious Calder pushes this season.
Tim Stutzle, C/W, Ottawa Senators
If you watched the World Juniors, you saw that even in a tough situation, Stutzle finds ways to make an impact. Germany was short on players due to COVID-19 protocols, and Stutzle still managed to challenge opposing teams. He already plays at an NHL speed and has clearly gained strength, becoming even more explosive. His skating is elite, and that's where he should create some problems for opposing defenses. The Sens have a very young team, and Stutzle is often going to have to find ways to drive his line.
Dylan Cozens, C/W, Buffalo Sabres
If you're a Sabres fan, the World Juniors offered you an eyeful. Cozens was flat out dominant for Canada. He looked stronger, faster and more decisive with the puck than he did a season ago. All of that was encouraging for a player who really wasn't that far away to begin with. Cozens is going to have to work his way up the lineup, but it's hard to imagine he won't be playing a significant role as the season progresses for Buffalo, especially if he plays the way he did in the recent World Juniors.
Josh Norris, C, Ottawa Senators
After putting up 61 points in 56 games for the Belleville Senators in the AHL last season, Norris is ready to take his spot on the big club. And it looks like he's going to get a big role right away. He has good two-way skills and speed, which helped him become a dominant forward in the AHL, his first pro season after two years at the University of Michigan. By virtue of his big role compared to his peers, he has a chance to put up some significant numbers and be a big part of the Calder conversation.
Pius Suter, C, Chicago Blackhawks
After converting Dominik Kubalik from Swiss League sensation to top rookie, the Blackhawks are going back to that well -- this time with the undrafted Suter. The 24-year-old Swiss forward led Switzerland's top pro league with 30 goals and 53 points. He has good two-way skills and will help fill the void the Blackhawks face down the middle. I don't expect him to produce at Kubalik-like levels, but he is going to get enough playing time to be an above-average contributor for a first-year player, making him a Calder sleeper.
TIER 3: IMPACT PLAYERS
These are players who should provide a positive impact for their individual teams but might not rise to the level of contribution for Calder consideration.
Ilya Sorokin, G, New York Islanders
We don't know how much Sorokin will be able to unseat Semyon Varlamov for starts on Long Island, but we do know that he comes into the NHL with a truly spectacular pedigree. Sorokin has a .930 career save percentage in 244 KHL games. He was the Gagarin Cup playoffs MVP in 2018-19 as he backstopped CSKA Moscow to the title. And at 25, he should be entering his goaltending prime.
But he will have to prove himself in spurts while learning from a seasoned veteran like Varlamov. If the veteran falters, however, Sorokin's opportunity to steal the crease is right there, especially if he manages the transition as smoothly as Shesterkin seemed to last season.
Juuso Valimaki, D, Calgary Flames
His rookie season was supposed to come during the 2019-20 campaign, but a knee injury and subsequent surgery dashed those hopes. The big defenseman has already played in 24 NHL games, all in 2018-19, just below the threshold to still be considered a rookie. Valimaki was able to play 19 games in Finland to start this season and averaged a point per game.
Jack Studnicka, RW, Boston Bruins
The Bruins have a need up front, and Studnicka appears poised to fill it. He could be a temporary replacement for injured David Pastrnak, but he likely settles into Boston's middle six for the longer haul. He appeared in two NHL games last season and five games in the bubble. In the AHL, he had 49 points and showed that his speed should be an asset for him at the next level.
John Leonard, RW, San Jose Sharks
He's not going to come in with as much fanfare as most rookies, but Leonard was one of the best players I saw last season in college hockey, and he deserves the shot the Sharks are giving him. Leonard is both skilled and strong on the puck. He put up 27 goals in 33 games last season at UMass and was on pace to shatter his previous career high in points.
Ian Mitchell, D, Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have a dire need on their blue line, and it looks like Mitchell is going to fill that hole to start the season. The soon-to-be-22-year-old defenseman has excellent mobility and hockey sense, which is part of what gives him an edge. Should he suit up in Chicago's top four, he very well could see some power-play time, which would help his numbers. His smarts with the puck on his stick and on the rush are going to help him keep a strong presence on Chicago's blue line.
Alexander Romanov, D, Montreal Canadiens
Romanov is a two-way blueliner with excellent mobility. What hasn't come for him at the pro level yet is the scoring. He had 11 points in 86 career KHL games but showed more of his offensive prowess on the international stage with Russia at the World Junior Championships in 2019 and 2020.
Ty Smith, D, New Jersey Devils
One of the most productive WHL defensemen of the past decade, Smith is going to get his long-awaited shot at the Devils' roster. He has the mobility and hockey sense to produce at the next level, but New Jersey plays in a loaded division that will challenge a young player like Smith.
TIER 4: CONTRIBUTORS AND ROLE PLAYERS
These are players who aren't locks to be everyday NHLers just yet but are in the mix to provide value over the course of the season.
Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers
A confident puck-mover who plays the game at a deliberate, calm pace, Bouchard has a chance to earn a long-term role with the Oilers this season. It sounds like he'll likely be part of the taxi squad for a period of time, but I would not be shocked to see him have a more permanent presence soon.
Owen Tippett, LW, Florida Panthers
Tippett has high-end offensive tools and would be a good scoring-depth option for the Panthers if he can contend with the NHL pace. He has been biding his time patiently, and his best NHL shot is right in front of him.
Liam Foudy, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
After he got into games in the postseason bubble, the expectation is that Foudy will start the season on the big club and provide some depth. Foudy's speed makes him dangerous, but don't expect big numbers out the gates.
Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Flyers
With excellent hands and vision, Frost could be an offensive depth contributor. He appeared in 20 games with the Flyers last season and figures to take on more NHL service time this time around.
K'Andre Miller, D, New York Rangers
One of the surprises of the camp process so far this year was the emergence of Miller as a potential top-four option for the Rangers entering the season. His offensive tools and high-end skating will allow him to keep up with NHL pace.
Barrett Hayton, C, Arizona Coyotes
On the sidelines for most of the season -- first as a young observer and later due to injury -- Hayton should see a significant bump in playing time this year. The 20-year-old was spectacular at last year's World Juniors, showcasing higher-end skills and vision. He also appeared in 20 regular-season NHL games, plus another three in the postseason bubble.
Nils Hoglander, RW, Vancouver Canucks
The super-skilled Hoglander is a showman with the puck on his stick. He has tremendous confidence, and that should translate well. His play away from the puck needs to improve, which is why I think he might still have some work to do earning coach Travis Green's trust. But when the Canucks need a spark, he has the ability to provide it.
Gabriel Vilardi, C/W, Los Angeles Kings
Health has always been a factor for Vilardi, but what he showed in 10 NHL games last season is that when he's healthy, he has the hockey sense and skill to contribute at the top level. He had seven points in his brief stint with the Kings after returning from an injury that held him to four games in 2018-19.
Yegor Sharangovich, C/W, New Jersey Devils
After lighting up the KHL while on loan to start the season, Sharangovich came into Devils' camp hot. He has two years of AHL service under his belt and looks to be the kind of guy the Devils can plug in just about anywhere in their lineup.
Zach Whitecloud, D, Vegas Golden Knights
He probably won't contend for the Calder, but as Whitecloud showed during the postseason, he is an especially reliable defender who can play good minutes against tough competition. Do not expect him to score a lot of points, but expect him to help his team in a depth defense role and on the penalty kill.
Other contributors and role players of note:
Kaapo Kahkonen, G, Minnesota Wild
Tobias Bjornfot, D, Los Angeles Kings
Eetu Luostarinen, C/W, Florida Panthers
Janne Kuokkanen, C/W, New Jersey Devils
Julien Gauthier, RW, New York Rangers
Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, New York Islanders
TIER 5: TAXI SQUADDERS AND CALL-UP OPTIONS
These are players who will spend time on the NHL taxi squads and see AHL time, fitting in as call-up options.
Trevor Zegras, C/W, Anaheim Ducks
Many, including myself, were surprised that the Ducks opted to start Zegras in the AHL after his MVP performance at the World Juniors. That said, I've never seen a player arrive to the NHL "too late," though scores of them have gotten there too early and needed time to reset. I don't think there should be any concern like that for Zegras, who has confidence in his abilities and one of the best playmaking skill sets not currently in the NHL.
Quinton Byfield, C, Los Angeles Kings
Fear not, Kings fans. Byfield not being on the opening night roster is not a bad sign. He was one of the youngest players in the 2020 draft, and since AHL reps are available to him right now, that's a development opportunity worth exploring further before giving him a shot at the big leagues.
Bowen Byram, D, Colorado Avalanche
It's going to be interesting to see how the Avalanche end up using Byram, who is coming off of a strong performance at the World Juniors. He's definitely a big part of their future as a skilled skater and offensively smart player, but there's reason to doubt he can be part of a contending roster right now.
Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Nashville Predators
Tolvanen looked like he was progressing toward an NHL opportunity during last season while in the AHL. He starts this year on the taxi squad, but he has earned a chance to get some NHL reps this season.
Nick Robertson, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
The 2019 second-rounder made a splash in the OHL with 55 goals last season and was part of Toronto's bubble roster. He should get a chance at various points this season.
Grigori Denisenko, LW, Florida Panthers
Denisenko was assigned to the AHL despite showing promise in the KHL last season. This is a good move for him to get adjusted to the North American style, but I would not be shocked to see him earn an NHL look later this season. His skill and tenacity will get him there.
Other taxi squadders and call-up options of note:
Jake Bean, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Alex Turcotte, C, Los Angeles Kings
Shane Bowers, C/W, Colorado Avalanche
Jamie Drysdale, D, Anaheim Ducks
Nolan Foote, LW, New Jersey Devils
MY CALDER TROPHY PICK FOR 2021
Igor Shesterkin, G, New York Rangers
The heir to Henrik Lundqvist's crease in New York has had success at every level he has played at, and he will get the playing time to make a sizable impact on the Rangers' season.