Ranking the NHL's top 20 rookie forwards at the halfway mark of the season

The 2025-26 rookie class is one of the best in recent memory. It features at least a couple of players who will become stars, likely even superstars, and plenty of prospects headed for top-six and top-four roles in their lineup.

We previously broke down the early-season performance of multiple rookie forwards in another article. Now, we’re presenting a new ranking that better reflects the development and effectiveness of these players.

This is not a Calder Power Ranking.

This article aims to go beyond the counting stats that usually determine who walks home with the award at the end of the season. We’re ranking the on-ice impact of Under-25 forward rookies by looking at their play, advanced metrics, usage, and development trajectory.

While most NHL rookie forwards are ranked here, some were ex