Rookie Watch: Sennecke, Savoie among top 5 in Pacific Division

Ducks forward tied for 2nd in rookie scoring; Oilers forward thriving on top line alongside McDavid, Hyman

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:00am

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The NHL.com Rookie Watch examines the top five rookies in the Pacific Division, including Yaroslav Askarov of the San Jose Sharks, Zeev Buium of the Vancouver Canucks, Linus Karlsson of the Vancouver Canucks, Matt Savoie of the Edmonton Oilers, and Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks.

Why it matters

The impact of this season's rookie class is one of the major storylines of the 2025-26 NHL season, with several young players making an immediate impression in the Pacific Division.

The details

Askarov, the Sharks' 23-year-old goaltender, is second among rookie goalies in wins and first in games played, though he has dealt with injuries this season. Buium, a 20-year-old defenseman traded from the Wild to the Canucks, ranks fourth among rookie blueliners in scoring. Karlsson, a 26-year-old forward, is tied for 10th among rookies in points after being traded from the Sharks to the Canucks. Savoie, a 22-year-old forward, has thrived playing on the Oilers' top line alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. And Sennecke, the Ducks' 20-year-old third-overall pick in 2024, is tied for second in rookie scoring and first in even-strength points.

  • Askarov sustained a lower-body injury during a morning skate on March 12, prior to a 4-2 win at the Boston Bruins. He missed seven games with the injury before returning on March 26.
  • Buium was traded by the Minnesota Wild to the Canucks, along with forwards Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, for defenseman Quinn Hughes on Dec. 12.
  • Savoie has 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 16 games since Feb. 25, following the break for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The players

Yaroslav Askarov

A 23-year-old goaltender for the San Jose Sharks who was drafted 11th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2020 and acquired by the Sharks in a trade in 2024. He's second among rookie goalies in wins and first in games played this season.

Zeev Buium

A 20-year-old defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks who was traded from the Minnesota Wild to the Canucks in December 2025, along with several other players, in exchange for defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Linus Karlsson

A 26-year-old forward for the Vancouver Canucks who was selected in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks and traded to the Canucks in 2019.

Matt Savoie

A 22-year-old forward for the Edmonton Oilers who was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in a trade in July 2024 and has been playing on the Oilers' top line alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.

Beckett Sennecke

A 20-year-old forward for the Anaheim Ducks who was selected 3rd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft and is tied for second in rookie scoring this season.

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What they’re saying

“He's playing well. He's doing a lot of really good things. He plays with a lot of energy, he's got a great motor on him, he keeps pucks alive, and that's all you can ask for.”

— Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers forward

“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, Vancouver Canucks forward

“He's grown up right in front of our eyes here. Offensively, he's capable of making high-end plays. At the same time, he has some plays that he's starting to eliminate out of his game, turnovers in tough areas to make a play. He has the puck a lot, which we like, and his play recognition is high-end.”

— Joel Quenneville, Anaheim Ducks head coach

The takeaway

This rookie class in the Pacific Division is making a significant impact, with several young players emerging as key contributors for their teams. From goalies to defensemen to forwards, these rookies are showcasing their skills and potential, providing excitement for the future of hockey in the division.