With the regular season starting on October 7th, we could look at each team in the Western Conference and focus on players who might make the big clubs in the first week who were not NHL regulars in 2024-25 (50 games or more).

There are still some salary cap maneuvers to be made, so some players sent down to the minors could be called up after a few games, and some of the players currently below could be sent down.

Anaheim Ducks

Sam Colangelo (F) (23.7 years of age)

Colangelo should be a regular in 2025-26 after playing 32 games in 2024-25 and putting up 10 goals and two assists. He will struggle to find minutes outside of the fourth line, unless some injuries occur.

Ian Moore (D) (23.7)

Moore was the 67th overall pick (3rd round) in 2020 and turned pro at the end of 2024-25 after leaving Harvard. He played 32 games with Harvard in 2024-25 and posted 14 points before turning pro and playing nine AHL games, where he had a goal and four assists. He also played three games for the Ducks and had an assist. He's earned an early look at the NHL level in 2025-26, but might be the 6th or 7th defender.

Calgary Flames

Adam Klapka (F) (25.0)

Klapka split the 2024-25 campaign between the AHL (33-14-12-26) and the NHL with the Flames (31-6-4-10). He had 108 hits and 25 blocks in the 31 NHL games. He averaged 9:39 per game in his NHL stint and looks to have the same role in 2025-26.

Zayne Parekh (D) (19.6)

Hopes are high for Parekh leading into 2025-26 as a possible Calder candidate. He scored a goal in his lone NHL game in 2024-25, but had just one point in the five pre-season games he saw action over the past few weeks. His pre-season performance might have muddied the waters a little on how ready he is for a full-time role in 2025-26.

I think the Flames will set him up to succeed, so they might pick and choose some games where he is given the power play quarterback role and given sheltered minutes outside of that. I'd expect 13-15 minutes per night to begin, and it will be up to him to perform well enough to earn more each game. 

Devin Cooley (G) (28.3)

Cooley played 46 AHL games in 2024-25 and had a record of 21-17-5 and a save percentage of 90.5. He has only played six NHL games with a record of 2-3-1 with a save percentage of 87.0. He might have a very short leash as the backup to Dustin Wolf, with Ivan Prosvetov in the AHL and already having cleared waivers.

Chicago Blackhawks

Landon Slaggert (F) (23.2)

Slaggert has played 49 career NHL games with Chicago and put up three goals, seven assists, 41 hits and 20 blocks while averaging 11:58 per game. He split last year between the AHL (39-10-15-25) and the Blackhawks (33-2-4-6), but is looking to stay all year in 2025-26. He figures to slide up and down from the third or fourth line.

Artyom Levshunov (D) (19.9)

Levshunov was the 2nd overall pick in 2024 and was the main reason that the Blackhawks dealt Seth Jones in 2024-25. Once the trade went down, Levshunov was called up from the AHL and played 18 games for Chicago and put up six assists, 19 hits and 20 blocks while averaging 20:19 per game.

I think a good rookie campaign for him will be 75 games, 20-25 points, 80-100 hits and 80-100 blocks. He should average 18-22 minutes depending on his play.

Sam Rinzel (D) (21.2)

Rinzel played nine games at the end of 2024-25 and put up five assists, with three of those coming on the power play. He could be the quarterback on the first unit of the power play to begin 2025-26, as Kevin Korchinski was sent to the AHL.

Colorado Avalanche

Zakhar Bardakov (F) (24.6)

I had never even heard of Bardakov before writing this. He was the 203rd pick in the 2021 draft and has played the last five seasons in the KHL. In 2024-25, he had 17 goals and 18 assists in 53 games, and it appears that he has made the Avalanche roster to begin with.

I don't think he is going to be an option for the top six and would assume that he might fill a role on the third or fourth line.

Nikita Prishchepov (F) (21.6)

Prishchepov made the roster going into 2024-25 of Colorado and played 10 NHL games, where he was pointless, albeit only averaging 6:12 per game. He was sent to the AHL and remained there for 51 games, and had nine goals and 14 assists. It appears that he's made the Avalanche roster to begin 2025-26 and will get another chance with hopefully more playing time (for his sake).

Ilya Solovyov (D) (25.2)

Colorado claimed Solovyov from Calgary when they put him on waivers to send back to the AHL. He's had cups of coffee with the Flames in both 2023-24 (10-0-3-3) and 2024-25 (5-0-1-1), but has played 229 AHL games over the past four seasons with 18 goals and 51 assists.

In 15 NHL games, he has 26 hits and 25 blocks, while averaging 15:49 per game. If he can stick in Colorado, he should be a 6th or 7th defender.

Dallas Stars

Lian Bichsel (D) (21.3)

Bichsel played 38 games in 2024-25 and became a regular, so he shouldn't really be here, but the Stars have no one else to list. He put up four goals, five assists, 155 hits and 23 blocks while averaging 14:53 per game.

From a fantasy standpoint, Bichsel could be a very good value if he plays 75 games or more and continues to improve.

Edmonton Oilers

Isaac Howard (F) (21.5)

Howard was acquired by the Oilers from Tampa Bay, and the Hobey Baker winner looks to have made Edmonton's roster to begin 2025-26. He had 26 goals and 26 assists in 37 games with Michigan State in 2024-25.

There is an outside chance that he could begin in the top-six and get some top unit time on the power play (at least until Zach Hyman returns).

Los Angeles Kings

Jeff Malott (F) (29.1)

Malott had an impressive 2024-25 in the AHL (61-23-28-51), which earned him 12 games with the Kings, where he had one assist, 19 hits and seven blocks while averaging 10:17.

It's uncommon for 29-year-olds to become regulars for the first time after starting their post-graduate pro career in the ECHL in 2020-21.

He's a big (6-5, 208 lbs) forward who has a bit of skill and can play a physical style, which he'll need to bring every game to stick as a regular. I'm rooting for him.

Minnesota Wild

Liam Ohgren (F) (21.6)

Ohgren played 24 games with the Wild in 2024-25 and put up just two goals and three assists while averaging 11:06 per game.

Ohgren had an impressive 41 games in the AHL with 18 goals and 19 assists.  He could get an opportunity to start in the top-six and will need to make the most of it with Mats Zuccarello out of the lineup for a few weeks.

Danila Yurov (F) (21.4)

Yurov was the 24th overall pick in 2022 and has come to North America for 2025-26 after playing in the KHL since 2020-21 as a 17-year-old.

He had 13 goals and 12 assists in 46 KHL games in 2024-25. He might compete with Ohgren for top-six minutes to begin.

Zeev Buium (D) (19.8)

There is a good chance that Buium starts 2025-26 as the quarterback on the first unit of the Wild’s power play. If that happens, and he can make it stick, he has a chance at the Calder Trophy.

He had 48 points in 41 games with the University of Denver in 2024-25 and looks ready for the NHL in 2025-26.

Daemon Hunt (D) (23.4)

Hunt was picked back up on waivers by the Wild after Columbus waived him. He played one game for the Wild before he was traded in 2024-25. He should just fill a depth role for them as a 6th or 7th defender.

David Jiricek (D) (21.8)

Jiricek was the main player the Wild acquired when they traded Daemon Hunt in 2024-25. The 6th overall pick from 2022 has played 59 NHL games with two goals and 11 assists, 44 hits and 59 blocks while averaging 14:20. He has struggled to stick as a regular with both Columbus and Minnesota, but the hope is that 2025-26 is the time.

If everyone is healthy, he could still average 14-16 minutes per game as a 6th defender. I'd temper my expectations for 2025-26.

Jesper Wallstedt (G) (22.8)

The 20th overall pick from 2021 finally gets his chance to be an NHL regular after 110 AHL and 45 SHL games with just five NHL games under his belt.

He will begin as the backup to Filip Gustavsson and figure to dress in 25-30 games in 2025-26, but one never knows.

Nashville Predators

Brady Martin (F) (18.5)

As impressed with Martin as the Predators obviously are, I think they show Martin nine NHL games at most and send him back to the OHL for the balance of 2025-26, where he can focus on the World Juniors and winning a Memorial Cup.

Ozzy Wiesblatt (F) (23.5)

Wiesblatt had five NHL games with Nashville in 2024-25 and posted an assist and 13 hits in five games while averaging 11:06 per game. He had 40 points in 64 AHL games.

He is likely to see similar minutes in 2025-26 at the NHL level. I'm not sure he has the offensive skill to play in the top six, but he should provide some energy at the bottom.

Spencer Stastney (D) (25.7)

Stastney has flirted with being an NHL regular with Nashville since 2022-23. He has played 51 NHL games split over the past three seasons and put up two goals, seven assists, 12 hits and 62 blocks while averaging 16:20.

He's a consummate 6th or 7th defender, so expect more of the same.

Adam Wilsby (D) (25.1)

Wilsby played 23 NHL games in 2024-25 with Nashville and just 13 AHL games. He averaged 18:06 per game while putting up a goal, four assists, 18 hits and 17 blocks.

He probably would have played more games in 2024-25, but was injured. He has a chance to be a 5th defender in 2025-26.

San Jose Sharks

Collin Graf (F) (23.0)

Graf split 2024-25 between the Sharks (33-5-6-11) and the AHL (40-8-27-35) after turning pro at the end of 2023-24.

He had 108 points in his last 75 college games at Quinnipiac University.

He has some skill, but I'm not sure there is a spot for him in 2025-26 in the top six in San Jose. He might be stuck in the bottom six for 60-70 games.

Michael Misa (F) (18.6)

I don't think the OHL has anything to offer Misa anymore, but he might not be quite ready to produce offensively at the NHL level, and the AHL is not an option.

He's going to get his nine NHL games, and the Sharks will make their decision after that. I don't think he's ready for a full year.

Shakir Mukhamadullin (D) (23.7)

Mukhamadullin played 30 games with the Sharks in 2024-25 and posted nine points, 25 hits and 51 blocks while averaging 18:04 per game.

He's recovering from shoulder surgery last season but appears to be ready for 2025-26. He should be in the top four with the Sharks this year.

Yaroslav Askarov (G) (23.3)

The 11th overall pick from 2020 could become an NHL starter in 2025-26. He has 16 NHL games under his belt, with 13 of those being in 2024-25 with San Jose.

I think at the very least, he and Alex Nedeljkovic should split the starts 50/50, with a nod to the hotter goalie at times.

St. Louis Blues

Jimmy Snuggerud (F) (21.3)

Snuggerud played seven regular-season games with the Blues and put up on goal and three assists before playing seven playoff games and posting two goals and two assists. He averaged over 17 minutes per game and was getting time with the first unit on the power play.

I don't think there is any doubt that Snuggerud could be a Calder Trophy candidate for 2025-26. He should get 15-17 minutes per night and get some quality power-play time.

Logan Mailloux (D) (22.4)

The Blues paid a steep price to get Mailloux in trading Zachary Bolduc. Mailloux has played just eight NHL games with Montreal and had two goals, three assists, 10 hits and nine blocks while averaging 16:50 per game.

There is hope in St. Louis that Mailloux could quarterback the first unit of the power play as a rookie in 2025-26. If the pre-season was any indication, Mailloux had four points in four games, with two of those points on the power play while he averaged 41.3% power play time.

It looks like the Blues might ease him into the role, but he will still get some opportunities.

Seattle Kraken

Jani Nyman (F) (21.1)

Nyman was impressive in 2024-25 with three goals and three assists in 12 NHL games and 28 goals and 16 assists in 58 AHL games. He's had an impressive pre-season with four goals in five games, but just six SOG.

I think he'll get an opportunity early on, but will need to produce to stay in the top six. He might need some power play time to do that.

Ryan Winterton (F) (22.0)

Winterton has had two extended cups of coffee with the Kraken. In 2023-24, he got nine games and was held pointless while averaging 9:20 per game. In 2024-25, he saw 12 games and produced one assist while averaging 10:50 per game.

In 21 games, he has one point, 30 hits and 10 blocks. He has put up 40 goals in 114 AHL games. He hopes to get more than 12 NHL games in 2025-26.

Utah Mammoth

Nick DeSimone (D) (30.8)

DeSimone played 20 games for Utah in 2024-25 and had one goal, five assists, 14 hits and 14 blocks while averaging 15:35 per game.

He played just 12 AHL games, so he was a healthy scratch on a few occasions. His role is that of a 6th or 7th defender in Utah.

Vancouver Canucks

Arshdeep Bains (F) (24.7)

Bains played 13 NHL games with Vancouver in 2024-25 and got one goal, 17 hits and seven blocks while averaging 10:30 per game. He saw eight games in 2023-24 and was held pointless.

It looks like he will get another opportunity with the Canucks in 2025-26. I didn't think he would get another chance in Vancouver, but he had such an important playoff role in Abbotsford, winning the Calder Cup in the AHL, that it might have contributed to another shot.

He will need to capitalize offensively to stick. He needs waivers to be sent to the AHL.

Linus Karlsson (F) (25.8)

Karlsson is in a similar situation to Bains. He showed a little more than Bains and got into 26 NHL games with the Canucks in 2024-25, where he had three goals, three assists and 27 hits while averaging 10:56 per game.

He won the Calder Cup in the AHL and has 99 points in his last 92 regular-season games.

Once again, he will need to produce to stick with the Canucks. He needs waivers to send down.

Aatu Raty (F) (22.8)

Raty looked like he became an NHL regular in the last 20 games of 2024-25. He ended up playing 33 games with Vancouver and scoring seven goals, getting four assists, 80 hits and winning 57.7% of his faceoffs.

He should get 70 games in 2025-26 in the NHL.

Elias Pettersson (D) (21.6)

Pettersson looked like a regular as soon as he played his first NHL game with Vancouver. He ended up playing 28 games and allowed the Canucks to trade Carson Soucy. He won't produce many points, but he did put up 39 hits and 16 blocks while averaging 12:49 per game.

He could dress for 70 games or more in 2025-26.

Vegas Golden Knights

Kaedan Korczak (D) (24.6)

With Alex Pietrangelo out for most of the 2025-26 campaign, it could allow Korczak to dress for more than 40 games in a year for the first time in his career.

In his 40 games he played in 2024-25, he had 10 assists, 59 hits and 40 blocks while averaging 15:04 per game.

Winnipeg Jets

Jonathan Toews (F) (37.4)

Toews hasn't played an NHL game since 2022-23, and the expectations are that he can slot in at center for them on the second or third line. I would temper my hopes that he will produce at the level he did when he last played.

Thanks very much for reading. If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know in the comments or on Twitter @gampbler15.