Several first-year players in the NHL are making an impact after being traded to new teams, with the 2025-26 season seeing notable contributions from a number of rookies.
Yaroslav Askarov, now playing for the San Jose Sharks, was originally selected 11th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2020 NHL Draft and joined San Jose through a trade on August 23, 2024. He is currently second among rookie goaltenders in wins (18-16-2) and leads all rookie goalies in games played (37 starts). The 23-year-old has posted a 3.53 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage this season. In November, he recorded eight wins in ten games, maintaining a 1.88 GAA and .947 save percentage.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofky commented on Askarov’s performance alongside Alex Nedeljkovic: “I think competition drives you to be great and I think that’s what we’re seeing right now,” Warsofky said. “I knew ‘Ned’ would be that type of guy and ‘Asky’ is just as competitive. I think it’s a great duo we got. They support each other when they’re in the net, and with our schedule, we’re going to use both of them.”
Askarov previously had strong showings with the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda, posting a 2.45 GAA and .923 save percentage over 22 games last season.
Zeev Buium was part of a significant trade between the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks on December 12, which also included forwards Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, and a first-round draft pick going to Vancouver in exchange for defenseman Quinn Hughes. Since joining Vancouver, Buium has played in 22 games with six points (two goals, four assists) while averaging over 20 minutes per game. Among rookie defensemen league-wide, he ranks fourth in total points (20) over 53 games.
Buium also contributed to Team USA’s gold-medal runs at consecutive IIHF World Junior Championships.
Linus Karlsson moved from San Jose to Vancouver via trade for Jonathan Dahlen back in February 2019 but only became an NHL regular last season after years developing overseas and with Abbotsford in the AHL. This year he is tied for ninth among rookies with 24 points across 56 games for Vancouver while playing primarily as a middle-six forward.
Karlsson shared his perspective: “I always believed in myself,” Karlsson said in January. “I knew I could play this good in this league. So, I mean, that’s probably the key. I always believed in myself and now I’ve got a lot of confidence and can show how good I can play. And just need to keep building. I think I have a lot more to show too.”
Fraser Minten was acquired by Boston from Toronto along with draft picks for Brandon Carlo on March 7, 2025. Minten is tied for sixth among rookies with 29 points (14 goals) while averaging nearly fifteen minutes per game as Boston’s third-line center behind Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha. He ranks second among first-year players both for face-off win percentage (48.4%) and total face-off wins (266).
Arturs Silovs joined Pittsburgh after being traded from Vancouver on July 13, 2025; he currently holds a record of thirteen wins across twenty-eight starts with a goals-against average under three (2.75) and one shutout for the Penguins this season.
Silovs reflected on his adjustment: “I’m just working hard,” Silovs said. “It’s hard to win in this League and everyone understands that. I think guys have been clicking really well. Having a goalie partner like (Stuart Skinner) has given confidence. I think we have pretty good chemistry, at practice we lift each other up, and the camaraderie is to the next level.”
Justin Sourdif of Washington ranks eighth among rookies with twenty-six points so far this year while centering his team’s third line since being traded from Florida last June.
Washington coach Spencer Carbery praised Sourdif’s progression: “He’s earned the opportunity that he’s getting with how he’s played and how he’s performed,” Carbery said. “It wasn’t handed to him early in the season (when he was playing wing on the fourth line) and sometimes circumstance provides opportunity for young players and it’s on them to take advantage of that, and that’s exactly what he’s done with it.”
