Former NCAA players will soon make up a huge percentage of all rookies in the NHL, so who are the most important in the Central Division for the upcoming season?
The slate of top rookies around the league is as strong as it's ever been, and competition for the Calder Trophy is going to be heavy.
With more NHL-ready rookies than ever before, this year’s rookie race could come down to which players are best equipped to translate their collegiate success to the professional level.
Are there any former NCAA players in the Central Division who could be among the NHL's top rookies this season? Let's find out.
1. Ryan Ufko, D, Nashville Predators
Ryan Ufko came into his own over the last two years with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL.
The 23-year-old wrapped up an excellent NCAA career at UMass in the 2023-24 season, showcasing his skills as a two-way defenseman with a strong ability to put the puck in the net, potting 10 goals in 37 games during that campaign.
Once he turned pro he continued to grow his game offensively, producing 19 goals and 64 points in 124 games over the last two seasons in Milwaukee.
Ufko still enters the season as a rookie despite suiting up for 18 games with the Nashville Predators in the 2025-26 season, where he recorded 11 points. No other skater who still qualifies as a rookie had more NHL points last season, let alone among defenseman.
In all likelihood, Ufko is a bottom-pairing defender for the Predators this season. However, opportunities arise throughout the year, and it's not hard to see him cruising past his previous personal best in NHL games or points.
2. Sacha Boisvert, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Sacha Boisvert was not especially productive at Boston University last season, but it didn't seem like a good fit from the outset.
He signed with the Chicago Blackhawks at the end of the season and got seven games under his belt with the big club. In terms of underlying numbers, Boisvert did better than most forwards on the team in a limited role, averaging just over nine minutes of ice time per-game.
Considering the state of the roster, it's possible that Boisvert plays a fair amount of games with Chicago, but is more likely to get a bigger role with the team's AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.
Boisvert could, however, be the first guy called up. If he can get back to the kind of productivity he enjoyed with North Dakota in 2024-25 (18 goals, 32 points in 37 games), then there's a chance he's on the outskirts of the Calder conversation.
3. TJ Hughes, Colorado Avalanche
The only reason Hughes, who was a dominant two-way player for Michigan last season, isn't above either Ufko or Boisvert on the list is because he is apart of the Colorado Avalanche organization.
With the Avalanche pushing for Stanley Cup contention, it's unlikely that they will be able to provide him with as much opportunity as other rookies in the league.
Hughes barely finished second in NCAA scoring last season with 57 points in 40 games on an elite Michigan team, playing in all situations and pushing opponents around with ease.
Hughes doesn't bring a ton of size to the table, but he's a tenacious player and Colorado could use that in its bottom six very easily.
It's impossible to project whether or not Hughes will put up big offensive numbers, but in terms of his two-way impact, his skillset should more than make up for that as far as Colorado is concerned.
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