The Pacific Division rookie class has transitioned from a storyline to a fixture status early in the 2025-26 season. Several first-year players are holding regular roles, driving results for their teams, and pushing into the Calder Trophy conversation. Beckett Sennecke has emerged as the league’s rookie scoring leader, while Yaroslav Askarov is giving San Jose the kind of goaltending it has lacked in recent seasons.
These performances carry interest far beyond local markets. Rookie production fuels fantasy decisions, contract debates, and even regulated wagering models that appear on market dashboards and mobile casinos. For teams in the middle of retools or rebuilds, these players are also setting early markers for where their cores might be headed over the next several years.
Askarov Stabilizes Sharks’ Net
Yaroslav Askarov has delivered on long-awaited upside in his first full NHL season with the San Jose Sharks. The 23-year-old, drafted 11th overall by Nashville in 2020 and acquired by San Jose in an August 2024 trade, has taken the starter’s job and turned it into a strength. He sits among the rookie leaders in wins and starts, with 10 victories in 17 appearances and a 2.96 goals-against average.
After a shaky October, Askarov locked in during November and went 8-2-0 with a 1.88 GAA and .947 save percentage across 10 games. He allowed two goals or fewer in eight of those 10 starts and recently extended his home winning streak to six games, posting a 1.79 GAA and .951 save percentage at SAP Center in that span. San Jose continues to work in veteran Alex Nedeljkovic, but Askarov’s workload and results reflect clear No. 1 usage.
Askarov’s NHL breakthrough follows a strong 2024-25 season with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. He put up a 2.45 GAA and .923 save percentage in 22 regular-season games, then went 3-2 with a 1.68 GAA and .935 save percentage in the Calder Cup Playoffs. That run, combined with 13 NHL games last year (4-6-2, 3.10 GAA, .896 save percentage), set the stage for his current jump.
Sennecke Driving Ducks’ Offense
Beckett Sennecke has transitioned from a draft-day question mark to a front-line producer faster than expected. The Anaheim Ducks’ 2024 No. 3 pick leads all NHL rookies in points with 26 through his first 26 games, giving Anaheim a dynamic weapon on the right side. His production has been consistent, with usage in the top six and in key offensive situations.
Sennecke has 10 goals and 16 assists, with multiple stretches of multi-point nights powering the Ducks’ attack. Early in the season, he posted a seven-game point streak that tied for the second-longest by a rookie in franchise history, underscoring both opportunity and finish. His ability to drive play off the rush and make plays through traffic has translated seamlessly from junior to the NHL.
Anaheim has leaned on Sennecke alongside emerging center Mason McTavish and fellow young forward Cutter Gauthier. Sennecke is also among the league’s rookie leaders in penalties drawn, giving the Ducks extra power-play chances and tilting momentum. For a team still building out its core, his impact has been a significant positive.
Karlsson Solid In Canucks’ Bottom Six
Linus Karlsson has carved out a role in Vancouver’s bottom six while the Canucks navigate several forward absences. With injuries to players such as Nils Hoglander, Filip Chytil, and Teddy Blueger at various points, Karlsson has stayed in the lineup and provided steady depth scoring. The 25-year-old, originally a 2018 third-round pick by San Jose, has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 26 games.
Karlsson averages just over 10 minutes per game but has made that ice count with responsible two-way play and secondary offense. He ranks among rookie leaders in penalties drawn, helping Vancouver’s special teams, and has shown enough consistency to hold his place even as competition for roster spots tightens. Because he would need waivers to be reassigned, his status will be a key decision for the Canucks once the forward group is fully healthy.
The question for Vancouver is how Karlsson fits when everyone is available. His ability to move around the lineup, play center or wing, and handle checking assignments gives the coaching staff flexibility. For now, he remains a useful low-cost piece on a team trying to stay in the playoff chase.
Willander Emerging On Canucks Blue Line
Tom Willander’s NHL transition has trended upward after a steady first month. The 2023 11th overall pick has appeared in 19 games for Vancouver, producing eight points (one goal, seven assists) and a plus-3 rating while averaging 13:43 of ice time. Recently, he has had three assists over a three-game stretch, signaling growing confidence with the puck.
Willander has skated primarily with Marcus Pettersson, giving the Canucks a mobile right-shot option who can advance the puck and close gaps in transition. His early NHL work reflects the same strengths that were evident during his two seasons at Boston University, where he totaled 24 points and played heavy minutes on the back end. The Canucks have used him in a sheltered but essential role that could expand as he gains experience.
Defensively, Willander has recorded 15 blocked shots and has handled matchup responsibilities against secondary competition. The organization views him as a long-term top-four piece, and his ability to contribute offense while maintaining structure has been a positive development in a season with ups and downs for Vancouver.
Savoie Finding His Spot In Edmonton
Matt Savoie has needed to adjust on the fly, but his trajectory with the Edmonton Oilers is pointing in the right direction. Acquired from Buffalo in July 2024, the 21-year-old forward has 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 30 games this season. He has done that while averaging roughly 14 minutes per night and moving up and down the lineup.
Savoie has seen looks on Edmonton’s top line with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman and has also filled a regular second-line role. His speed and puck support have meshed with the Oilers’ high-skill forwards, while his responsible play away from the puck has earned trust from the coaching staff. He has also contributed 10 blocked shots, reflecting a willingness to play within the defensive structure.
Practicing and playing with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl has given Savoie a daily blueprint for pace and detail at the NHL level. The Oilers do not need him to be a primary driver right away, but his ability to contribute in different roles adds needed depth scoring to a top-heavy roster.
Pacific Rookie Race Tightening
The Pacific Division rookie race has shifted from curiosity to a meaningful subplot of the 2025-26 season. Sennecke’s scoring pace and Askarov’s workhorse goaltending have pushed them into league-wide Calder discussion, while Karlsson, Willander, and Savoie have solidified themselves as everyday NHLers with room to grow. For teams in various stages of contention, the early returns from these first-year players are shaping both the current standings and the future of the division.
