Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discuss whether Macklin Celebrini or Matvei Michkov would be more ideal to have when building a team. Every NHL season is a fresh opportunity for new players to make their mark at hockey's highest level. This season is no different, with a thrilling group of prospects who should make their mark on the NHL roster in the upcoming 2024-25 season. While the complete rookie class and race for the Calder Trophy will include more than these six players mentioned below, they are some of the big names to watch. Whether you're newer to following the NHL and want to learn more about this promising batch, or you're catching up on prospects who should make the jump, here's more on the careers so far for these six intriguing NHL rookies. Macklin Celebrini [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3MTUwMjg2NjAxNDYyOTcx/usatsi_23002502_168400847_lowres.jpg] Macklin Celebrini MACKLIN CELEBRINI, SAN JOSE SHARKS From North Vancouver, B.C., Macklin Celebrini was front and center in NHL draft coverage last season, leading up to being the first-overall pick in June. The 18-year-old is a force to be reckoned with. He became the youngest player to win the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top men's hockey player in 2023-24, with 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games. Celebrini was also a driver for Canada at the 2024 world juniors, leading the team with eight points in only five games played despite being the youngest player on the team. Could Celebrini help the Sharks get from the bottom of the Pacific ranks to the top in the long term? Only time will tell, but this upcoming season should be a strong introduction for him to the NHL. Josh Doan [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NTc1ODg1MDAzMjM2NDI2/usatsi_22875974_168400847_lowres.jpg] Josh Doan JOSH DOAN, UTAH HOCKEY CLUB Josh Doan dabbled in the NHL with the Arizona Coyotes last season, which his dad captained for more than a decade. Because of that, the younger Doan is from Scottsdale, Ariz. He was the Coyotes' second-round pick in the 2021 draft. Doan played 11 games for the Coyotes last season, and his nine points and five goals caught the NHL by surprise. He spent most of his time in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners, ending that season with 26 goals and 46 points in 62 games. The 22-year-old headed with the rest of the roster and hockey operations staff to the Utah Hockey Club, and he'll battle for a roster spot out of camp and try to improve on his short sample size over a full season. Logan Stankoven [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3ODY4ODY5NTI2NjkzMTg0/usatsi_23401927_168400847_lowres.jpg] Logan Stankoven LOGAN STANKOVEN, DALLAS STARS Logan Stankoven played most of last season with the AHL's Texas Stars, amassing 24 goals and 57 points in 47 games to earn the Red Garrett Memorial Award as the league's rookie of the year. The Stars' second-round pick in the 2021 NHL draft made the jump to Dallas later on in the 2023-24 season, getting 14 points in 24 games. He also added another eight points in 19 playoff games, which is a sign of great things to come for the 21-year-old from Kamloops, B.C. Before last season, Stankoven was also the CHL's player of the year in 2021-22, a top-three player for gold-winning Canada at the 2022 and 2023 world juniors and a CHL first-team all-star in 2022-23. Mavrik Bourque [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3ODY4OTE0ODkyMjg1MjQ4/usatsi_22967178_168400847_lowres.jpg] Mavrik Bourque MAVRIK BOURQUE, DALLAS STARS The Dallas Stars' first-round pick in 2020 is a candidate to jump to the NHL full-time after dominating in the AHL. Mavrik Bourque has spent part of the last three seasons with the AHL Stars after finishing his QMJHL career with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Last season, he led the entire AHL in scoring, with 77 points in 71 games, the bulk of which was his 51 assists. His efforts clinched the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL's most valuable player. The 22-year-old is a team player and definitely someone the Dallas Stars could use with Stankoven. The duo should help the Stars remain a Cup contender after losing the now-retired Joe Pavelski up front. Will Smith [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA4ODY5OTM5Njk4NzM4NDgz/usatsi_23004135_168400847_lowres.jpg] Will Smith WILL SMITH, SAN JOSE SHARKS Not to be confused with the Prince of Bel-Air is the San Jose Sharks' fourth-overall pick in 2023, Will Smith. The 19-year-old center from Lexington, Mass., has the potential to bring the Sharks back to better days with Celebrini and the rest of the Sharks' young core. Playing for the United States in the World Junior Championship, Smith managed nine points in seven games en route to gold. But where Smith really stood out was in the NCAA with Boston College. He led NCAA men's hockey with 46 assists and 71 points in 41 games. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award after being a tournament MVP and champion in Hockey East, as well as being named to the all-tournament team in the national championship. Matvei Michkov [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2Njg2NTgyODczMjY5Njk0/usatsi_20963689.jpg] Matvei Michkov MATVEI MICHKOV, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS The Philadelphia Flyers got Matvei Michkov seventh overall in the 2023 NHL draft, and he could be one of the top NHL players from this class down the line. The 19-year-old has played parts of the last three seasons in the KHL, with the last two on loan to Sochi from St. Petersburg. Last season went quite well for him, as he scored 19 goals and collected 41 points in 47 games to rank second in scoring on Sochi. The totals more than doubled his nine goals and 20 points in 27 games for Sochi in 2022-23, when he split the season between the KHL and second-tier VHL. He also led the KHL in points by a junior player, per eliteprospects.com. [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/699375/matvei-michkov] The Flyers added the Russian to the team ahead of time, since Michkov was under contract with St. Petersburg until the end of the 2025-26 season. The squad terminated his contract, which allowed Michkov to sign his entry-level NHL contract. Soon enough, we’ll be able to see what he’s capable of as a potential Calder Trophy candidate. Jonathan Tovell contributed to this article. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum [https://thehockeynews.rtb.io/THNHOME/posts].
