Rookie Watch: 1st-year players thriving after being traded

Buium, Minten among rookies making big impacts with new teams

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Several NHL rookies traded during the offseason or at the trade deadline have made significant contributions with their new teams this season. Goalies Yaroslav Askarov (San Jose Sharks) and Arturs Silovs (Pittsburgh Penguins), defenseman Zeev Buium (Vancouver Canucks), centers Fraser Minten (Boston Bruins) and Linus Karlsson (Vancouver Canucks), and right wing Justin Sourdif (Washington Capitals) have all found success after being dealt to new organizations.

Why it matters

The ability of these young players to quickly adapt and thrive with their new teams highlights the depth of NHL talent and the importance of trades in shaping rosters. Their performances also showcase the development of the league's next generation of stars.

The details

Askarov, acquired by the Sharks in August 2024, is second among rookie goalies in wins (18-16-2) and first in games played (37). Buium, traded to the Canucks in December, ranks fourth among rookie defensemen in scoring with 20 points in 53 games. Minten, dealt to the Bruins in March 2025, is tied for sixth among rookies with 29 points and is a strong two-way forward. Silovs, acquired by the Penguins last July, is 13-7-8 with a 2.75 goals-against average. Karlsson, traded to the Canucks in 2019, is tied for ninth among rookies with 24 points. Sourdif, dealt to the Capitals in June 2025, ranks eighth among first-year players with 26 points.

  • Askarov was acquired by the Sharks on August 23, 2024.
  • Buium was traded to the Canucks on December 12.
  • Minten was dealt to the Bruins on March 7, 2025.
  • Silovs was acquired by the Penguins on July 13, 2025.
  • Karlsson was traded to the Canucks on February 25, 2019.
  • Sourdif was dealt to the Capitals on June 26, 2025.

The players

Yaroslav Askarov

A 23-year-old goaltender for the San Jose Sharks who was originally drafted 11th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2020.

Zeev Buium

A 20-year-old defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks who was traded from the Minnesota Wild in December 2022.

Fraser Minten

A 21-year-old center for the Boston Bruins who was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in March 2025.

Arturs Silovs

A 24-year-old goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins who was traded from the Vancouver Canucks in July 2025.

Linus Karlsson

A 24-year-old center for the Vancouver Canucks who was acquired from the San Jose Sharks in February 2019.

Justin Sourdif

A 23-year-old right wing for the Washington Capitals who was traded from the Florida Panthers in June 2025.

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What they’re saying

“I think competition drives you to be great and I think that's what we're seeing right now. 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.”

— Ryan Warsofky, Sharks coach (nhl.com)

“I always believed in myself. 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.”

— Linus Karlsson (nhl.com)

“He's earned the opportunity that he's getting with how he's played and how he's performed. 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.”

— Spencer Carbery, Washington coach (nhl.com)

The takeaway

The success of these traded rookies demonstrates the NHL's depth of young talent and the importance of trades in shaping rosters. Their quick adaptations to new teams and systems highlight the development of the league's next generation of stars.