Fantasy Hockey Rookies to Consider: Zayne Parekh, Zeev Buium and More

Hey folks! It's almost the regular season, so today we've got some rookies that you need to keep an eye on for your draft, and throughout the season.

We're going to leave out the obvious No. 1 and 2 picks from last year in Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders and Michael Misa of the San Jose Sharks, respectively.

All of these players are sure to be Calder Memorial Trophy candidates, and could be the next generation of superstars. Grabbing them in your league early on is a surefire way to get a step ahead of your opponents this season. 

Make sure to check out our new Fantasy Hockey Projections. Outlooks at your fingertips that always give you an in-depth snapshot and an accurate outlook of what you expect from every player -  all season long. Powered by AI; refined by our experts.

Maxim Shabanov - New York Islanders

This undrafted 24-year-old Russian NHL rookie is coming into the league with the Islanders having played the last four seasons in the KHL, and three seasons prior to that in the VLH - which is essentially the AHL of the KHL.

Despite his small size, Shabanov has been known as offensively gifted and has proven it throughout his hockey career playing in Russia against men. Auston Matthews also started his career in the KHL and look how that turned out.

Shabanov signed a one-year entry level deal with Long Island, and is slated to start in the middle six, with second unit powerplay time. If you're in a keepers league or dynasty league, then Shabanov should be on your radar as he tests the ice in North America for the first time. Low risk, high reward here for an almost unrostered player in all leagues.

Shabanov had 23 goals, 44 assists, and 67 points in 65 games played as a forward last year in the KHL playing for the Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Zeev Buium - Minnesota Wild

Finally breaking into the NHL from the University of Denver is the All-American defender of the future. Buium comes with an immaculate resume with four gold medals, including back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Buium is also joining the Wild on the same defensive pairing as captain Jared Spurgeon, and the quarterback of the top powerplay line which include the likes of Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, Marco Rossi, and Kirill Kaprizov. This gives Buium every opportunity in the world to shine and exceed expectations.

Zeev had 13 goals, 35 assists, and 48 points in 41 games played as a defensemen last year in the NCHC.

Alexander Nikishin - Carolina Hurricanes

Another Russian coming in from the KHL playing for SKA Saint Petersburg for three years, but this time drafted 69th overall in 2020 by the Canes, Nikishin is finally going to put in some serious time in North America. He did debut last year during the playoffs, playing four games where he notched his first apple.

Nikishin is slotted to play on the third pairing to start the season, and has worked himself into a spot on the second powerplay unit with Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Jackson Blake. Nikishin's ceiling is sky high and could play himself into more time on ice.

Nikishin had 17 goals, 29 assists, and 46 points in 61 games played as a defenseman last year in the KHL.

Sam Rinzel - Chicago Blackhawks

Rinzel is putting his collegiate career behind him and finally stepping foot into the NHL with the Blackhawks, who drafted him 25th overall in 2022. This big defenseman coming out of the Big Ten Conference is going to be getting big opportunities with big stars. His potential is.. Well.. Big!

Rinzel is going to start his NHL career on the top defensive pairing, as well has solidified himself a spot on the top powerplay unit as well with franchise player Connor Bedard. You can't get much bigger of an opportunity than that.

Rinzel had 10 goals, 22 assists and 32 points in 40 games played as a defensemen last year in B1G playing for the University of Minnesota. He did also play nine games for the Blackhawks where he put up five assists.

Zayne Parekh - Calgary Flames

Possibly the name with the biggest expectations on this list, Parekh has already turned heads at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he put up three assists in five games to help Canada win the gold medal.

A top-10 pick in 2024, going ninth overall to the Flames, Parekh played one more season in the OHL where he put up outstanding numbers, better than his 96-point effort of his draft year.

All eyes on Parekh, as he has the potential to become a very elite defenseman, and quickly. Dynasty leagues, consider this your notice to put Zayne on your must-draft list!

Everyone else, Parekh is likely starting on the bottom defensive pairing with Prince Albert Raiders former captain, Brayden Pachal who is both a WHL Champion and Stanley Cup Champion (with the Vegas Golden Knights). He is going to get amazing mentorship about breaking into the league from Brayden, plus will have an opportunity to get some powerplay time in on the second unit.

What Parekh has the benefit of in this situation, is that although his ceiling seems to be quite high, pressure to perform is quite a bit lower on the Flames than would be expected in other markets, especially Canadian ones. He is also being insulated and not thrown to the wolves. The Flames seem to be doing right by the player here, and while this may hurt fantasy value now, his long-term game and confidence, followed by production, will be better for it.

Parekh had 33 goals, 74 assists, and 107 points in 61 games as a defenseman last year in the OHL playing for the Saginaw Spirit. He did have one game up in the NHL with the Flames last year where he scored a goal. In his first game. As a rookie defensemen. 

Jimmy Snuggerud - St. Louis Blues

There has been a lot of talk lately about Snuggerud, and with that talk comes both opportunity and risk. The Blues are giving Snuggerud a trial by fire by rookie standards.

Snuggerud was a teammate of Rinzel, as they played together for the University of Minnesota in the Big Ten Conference (B1G). He was drafted by the Blues in 2022 in the first round, and played 14 games in the NHL last year.

The kicker is, seven of them were in the regular season where he put up one goal, and three assists, and seven were in the postseason where he put up two goals and two assists.

Snuggerud is somehow set to start the NHL season with the Blues on their top line with Pavel Buchnevich and Robert Thomas. He also earned himself a spot on the top powerplay unit with Cam Fowler, and Brayden Schenn joining the frey.

How a rookie, who was not a top overall pick, has earned himself such elite deployment is beyond me. This may not stick, and the Blues are not a contending team, but it's still a double-edged sword for the winger.

Yes, it's a great opportunity, however you are going to be up against the best players in the league, night after night, shift after shift, without insulation. The Blues are putting Snuggerud's development at risk here. But hey, maybe it'll work out!

Either way, his numbers last year in the NHL, coupled with the elite deployment and TOI St. Louis is handing him is worth a close look at Snuggerud come draft time for any format.

Snuggerud had 24 goals, 27 assists, and 51 points in 40 games played as a forward last year in B1G playing for the aforementioned University of Minnesota.