NHL Kicks Off 2026 With Rookie Tournaments
The NHL is set to begin its 2026-7 season with a bunch of rookie tournaments. The Rookies reported to training camps today. Several of the games are being played in intimate settings, such as training camp facilities or minor league stadiums. This is a nice touch because these smaller settings will allow fans who may not get to see teams to see them in a cozy setting.
The rookie tournaments feature the NHL’s top draft picks. Most importantly will be the top overall draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Gavin McKenna. The second pick was made by the San Jose Sharks in winger Ivar Stenberg out of Sweden. He might not be as flashy as McKenna, but he too is supposed to be good. This draft was loaded, so fans will get the chance to see a bunch of talented young hockey players. Do you think any of these players will be stars in the 2026-7 season?
NHL Rookie Tournaments Schedule By Team
There are a lot of opportunities to see young NHL hockey stars in the coming week. Here is the schedule, by team.
Anaheim Ducks
Saturday, September 12 – 4:00 p.m. vs. Colorado Avalanche
Sunday, September 13 – 6:00 p.m. vs. Los Angeles Kings
Boston Bruins
Sunday, September 13 – 5:00 p.m. vs. Buffalo Sabres
Monday, September 14 – 12:00 p.m. vs. Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
Sunday, September 13 – 5:00 p.m. vs. Boston Bruins
Monday, September 14 – 12:00 p.m. vs. Boston Bruins
Calgary Flames
Monday, September 14 – 8 p.m. vs. Edmonton Oilers
Carolina Hurricanes (The defending NHL champs)
Sunday, September 13 – 2:35 p.m. vs. Nashville Predators
Tuesday, September 15 – 2:00 p.m. vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Chicago Blackhawks
Monday, September 14 – 7:00 p.m. vs. St. Louis Blues
Tuesday, September 15 – 5:00 p.m. vs. St. Louis Blues
Colorado Avalanche
Saturday, September 12 – 4:00 p.m. vs. Anaheim Ducks
Sunday, September 13 – 4:00 p.m. vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Columbus Blue Jackets
Saturday, September 12 – 3:00 p.m. vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Sunday, September 13 – 3:30 p.m. vs. Dallas Stars
Tuesday, September 15 – 2:00 p.m. vs. Detroit Red Wings
Dallas Stars
Saturday, September 12 – 6:30 p.m. vs. Detroit Red Wings
Sunday, September 13 – 3:30 p.m. vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Tuesday, September 15 – 10:30 a.m. vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Detroit Red Wings
Saturday, September 12 – 6:30 p.m. vs. Dallas Stars
Sunday, September 13 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Tuesday, September 15 – 2:00 p.m. vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Edmonton Oilers
Monday, September 14 – 8 p.m. vs. Calgary Flames
Los Angeles Kings
Saturday, September 12 – 8:00 p.m. vs. San Jose Sharks
Sunday, September 13 – 6:00 p.m. vs. Anaheim Ducks
Tuesday, September 15 – 4:00 p.m. vs. Utah Mammoth
Montreal Canadiens
Saturday, September 12 – 1:00 p.m. vs. Winnipeg Jets
Sunday, September 13 – 6:00 p.m. vs. Ottawa Senators
Nashville Predators
Sunday, September 13 – 2:35 p.m. vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Monday, September 14 – 2:00 p.m. vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
New Jersey Devils
Sunday, September 13 – 2:00 p.m. vs. New York Islanders
Tuesday, September 15 – 6:00 p.m. vs. New York Islanders
New York Islanders
Sunday, September 13 – 2:00 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils
Tuesday, September 15 – 6:00 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils
New York Rangers
Saturday, September 12 – 7:05 p.m. vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Sunday, September 13 – 5:05 p.m. vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Ottawa Senators
Saturday, September 12 – 6:00 p.m. vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Sunday, September 13 – 6:00 p.m. vs. Montreal Canadiens
Philadelphia Flyers
Saturday, September 12 – 7:05 p.m. vs. New York Rangers
Sunday, September 13 – 5:05 p.m. vs. New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Saturday, September 12 – 3:00 p.m. vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Sunday, September 13 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Detroit Red Wings
Tuesday, September 15 – 10:30 a.m. vs. Dallas Stars
San Jose Sharks
Saturday, September 12 – 8:00 p.m. vs. Los Angeles Kings
Sunday, September 13 – 8:00 p.m. vs. Utah Mammoth
Seattle Kraken
Saturday, September 12 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Vancouver Canucks
Sunday, September 13 – 4:00 p.m. vs. Vancouver Canucks
St. Louis Blues
Monday, September 14 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Tuesday, September 15 – 5:00 p.m. vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Tampa Bay Lightning
Monday, September 14 – 2:00 p.m. vs. Nashville Predators
Tuesday, September 15 – 2:00 p.m. vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Toronto Maple Leafs
Saturday, September 12 – 6:00 p.m. vs. Ottawa Senators
Sunday, September 13 – 1:00 p.m. vs. Winnipeg Jets
Utah Mammoth
Saturday, September 12 – 6:00 p.m. vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Sunday, September 13 – 8:00 p.m. vs. San Jose Sharks
Tuesday, September 15 – 4:00 p.m. vs. Los Angeles Kings
Vancouver Canucks
Saturday, September 12 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Seattle Kraken
Sunday, September 13 – 4:00 p.m. vs. Seattle Kraken
Vegas Golden Knights (one of the best teams in the NHL, with a new coach)
Saturday, September 12 – 6:00 p.m. vs. Utah Mammoth
Sunday, September 13 – 4:00 p.m. vs. Colorado Avalanche
Winnipeg Jets
Saturday, September 12 – 1:00 p.m. vs. Montreal Canadiens
Sunday, September 13 – 1:00 p.m. vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Conclusion
There are three teams not participating in these NHL rookie tournaments. The Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Washington Capitals are not participating in rookie games this season. You have to wonder if these teams will feel they are falling behind in the NHL. There are several storylines that are worth following. For instance, for the Islanders, which rookies will step up, and will Isiah George and Victor Eklund, in particular, make the team? If they do, this could be one of the most interesting teams in the NHL.
