It's difficult to break into the NHL and contribute right away. Most players need a year or two of experience before beginning to produce consistently, though a select few make an immediate impact.

Here are some rookies who will be fantasy difference-makers in their first NHL season:

Jack Hughes, C, Devils

Hughes will warrant a roster spot on your fantasy team this season regardless of the format.

The 2019 first overall selection has dominated at every stage early in his career, breaking Alex Ovechkin's points record at the IIHF World U18 Championship with 32 points in 14 games, and also setting a new all-time scoring mark for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

Hughes should receive plenty of opportunities with the New Jersey Devils, especially on a power-play unit featuring Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, and P.K. Subban. At even strength, his ceiling will depend on which players flank each wing, but the dynamic playmaker should thrive as a fixture in the team's top-six forward group.

It would make sense for the Devils to pair Hughes with a scorer like Kyle Palmieri - a shoot-first player who's scored 24-plus goals in four straight seasons. Having two reliable duos in Hischier-Hall and Hughes-Palmieri would also help deepen the Devils' lineup. Hughes could play alongside Hall at points throughout the season, too.

Quinn Hughes, D, Canucks

Hughes is an incredible skater with excellent hockey intelligence for his age. Though it was a small sample size, the 19-year-old impressed with three assists and positive possession numbers during his five-game stint with the Canucks last season.

The 2018 seventh overall pick should get top-four minutes on the blue line, and he'll receive plenty of power-play time as part of a talented young core featuring Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and Bo Horvat. Newcomers J.T. Miller and Micheal Ferland should also help bolster Vancouver's attack.

The Michigan product recorded 33 points in 32 games at the NCAA level for the Wolverines last season. His per-game production (1.10 points) ranked second among under-20 NCAA defensemen over the last 20 years.

His offensive game won't be fully developed in his first NHL season, but Hughes' upside makes him worth fantasy consideration.

Cale Makar, D, Avalanche

Makar looked like a seasoned vet while debuting with the Avalanche this past spring, and it'll be a treat to see what the 2017 fourth overall pick can do in his first full campaign.

The 20-year-old rearguard joined the club at the start of the 2018-19 playoffs and scored in his first game. He also tallied five assists to finish with six points in 10 contests while logging over 17 minutes per night. Makar never looked out of place, and his confidence with the puck was remarkable for a young talent playing high-stakes hockey.

Makar's skating ability is sensational, making him a perfect fit with the up-tempo Avalanche. He's already skilled enough to log big minutes and should be a fixture on the club's loaded top power-play unit. Playing with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Nazem Kadri should result in Makar producing an impressive rookie season.

Kaapo Kakko, RW, Rangers

Kakko should benefit from playing on a top-heavy New York Rangers roster. The club lacks forward depth, but Kakko is too skilled to play bottom-six minutes, and fireworks could be coming if he's on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin.

At 6-foot-3 and nearly 200 lbs, the 18-year-old enters the league with an NHL frame and a heavy shot. A natural goal-scorer at every level, he's poised to contribute immediately in the goal column at even strength and on the power play.

During his final season in Europe, Kakko tallied 22 goals over 45 games for HC TPS in Liiga - the top pro league in Finland - setting a record for under-18 players.

The 2019 second overall selection is ready for the NHL, and he should produce for your fantasy team.

Mackenzie Blackwood, G, Devils

Blackwood came two games shy of losing his rookie eligibility in 2018-19 while posting a 2.61 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage over 23 appearances with the New Jersey Devils. Snagging a rookie goalie for your fantasy team with just over a quarter-season of NHL experience is a bonus, especially considering the direction New Jersey is heading.

Injuries have plagued starting Devils netminder Cory Schneider over the previous two campaigns, and he isn't getting any younger. Even when healthy, the 33-year-old has posted below-average numbers, and he hasn't put together a steady season since 2015-16.

With the Devils projecting to be a young, up-and-coming team, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them challenge Blackwood with a heavier workload this season.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero remains focused on re-signing restricted free-agent forward Pavel Zacha despite reports that the former first-round pick is leaving for the KHL, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale.

"His agent told me a couple days ago (that he could sign in the KHL), but I'm hopeful we'll get something done over the next few days entering training camp," Shero said Monday. "I think we're trying to find the right term and based upon his age. He's a real good fit for us as a player. He's a young guy whose game is evolving. ...

"I can't control what he does. If (the KHL) is the route he likes, it's going to be a long road back to the NHL."

Earlier Monday morning, Sport-Express' Igor Eronko reported that Zacha agreed to terms with Avangard of the KHL. The Devils issued a qualifying offer to Zacha this summer and thus retain the 22-year-old's NHL rights even if he signs overseas.

"My advice (to Zacha) would be that you're going to hopefully play in the NHL for a long time," Shero said, "and to get to where we hope you can be and continue to grow, why would you (play in the KHL)? That's going to be a big step back."

The 6-foot-3 center has struggled to carve out a role with the Devils since being selected sixth overall at the 2015 NHL Draft. Zacha has mustered 29 goals and 76 points in 201 career contests.

The Devils have $8.71 million in projected cap space with Zacha the only player in need of a new contract for next season, according to CapFriendly.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly interested in acquiring Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk.

The two sides are in ongoing discussions about a trade involving the 27-year-old rearguard, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Friedman added that details are still being worked out, and that Faulk has a partial no-trade clause in his contract that includes the Ducks.

The Hurricanes reportedly shopped Faulk last June amid stalled extension talks, but they were unable to find an appropriate suitor. He's now set to enter the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot blue-liner recorded 11 goals and 35 points in 82 games for the Hurricanes last season before adding one goal and eight points in 15 playoff contests.

After inking defenseman Jake Gardiner to a four-year, $16.2-million deal last week, Carolina sits $1.5 million over the salary cap and will likely need to move a player to become cap compliant.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin returned to the ice shortly after an injury scare during a team scrimmage on Monday.

The sniper initially went down in pain and was unable to put weight on his left leg as teammates helped him to the locker room, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.

However, Ovechkin was back on the ice a short time later and appeared to be moving around just fine.

It's been a tough start to the week for Ovi, who told reporters following the skate that he injured his nose after falling off his bike on Sunday.

The 33-year-old is entering his 15th NHL season with the Capitals and is just 42 goals shy of reaching 700 for his career.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The first major restricted free-agent domino has fallen.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Zach Werenski to a three-year, $15-million contract, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

Werenski's new deal runs through the 2021-22 season, and he'll remain a restricted free agent with arbitration eligibility when it expires.

The 22-year-old has been an instrumental part of the Blue Jackets' blue line while recording 128 points over 237 contests throughout his entry-level deal. He also led all restricted free-agent defensemen in points during the 2018-19 campaign and ranked second in average ice time.

His 38 goals rank ninth among NHL rearguards since entering the league in 2016-17.

Getting Werenski signed prior to training camp has provided a bright spot after an otherwise difficult offseason for the Blue Jackets. The club watched forwards Matt Duchene and Artemi Panarin walk in free agency, along with netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Blue Jackets hold $10.76 million in projected cap space with a nearly full roster and no remaining players needing a new contract, according to CapFriendly.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens and forward Max Domi have begun talks on a contract extension, according to TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie.

Domi, 24, is heading into the final year of his current deal and is scheduled to become a restricted free agent after 2019-20.

The 5-foot-10 forward set career bests in his first campaign with the Habs, recording 28 goals and 44 assists for 72 points in 82 games.

Fellow Canadiens forwards Nick Cousins and Charles Hudon, along with defenseman Victor Mete, are also set to become restricted free agents next summer.

Domi was selected by the Arizona Coyotes with the 12th overall pick at the 2013 draft. The Canadiens acquired him from the Coyotes in June 2018.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin says he's not interested in signing veteran defenseman Andrei Markov, as the club is looking to get younger.

“Two years ago, his contract was due, we made an offer,” Bergevin told Marc Denis of RDS on a special edition of “Table d’hote” that aired on Saturday night. “Efforts were made to sign it and he chose another direction that was the KHL. It was two years ago.

“Since that time, things have changed,” Bergevin added. “The player has aged. The organization has changed direction. We have a lot of young people growing up... We really want to give our young people a chance.”

Markov spent 16 years with the Canadiens before inking a deal with Kazan Ak-Bars of the KHL prior to the 2017-18 season. Last month, the 40-year-old who's pursuing an NHL return expressed his desire to play in Montreal again.

Bergevin regards defensemen Noah Juulsen, Victor Mete, Josh Brook, and Alexander Romanov as examples of young, promising prospects he's looking to develop.

Markov is just 10 games shy of becoming the sixth Canadiens player to play 1,000 contests for the team. The Russian rearguard ranks sixth in both games played (990) and assists (453) in franchise history.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every season we see a crop of talented players take their production to the next level.

If you missed out on emerging playmakers like Elias Lindholm, Alex DeBrincat, or Mitch Marner last campaign, you won't want to overlook these potential breakout candidates in 2019-20.

Nico Hischier, C, Devils

Although Hischier was mired by injuries in 2018-19, he was on pace for a higher point total than his rookie campaign. The Swiss talent is in the final year of his entry-level contract, giving him more incentive to put together his finest season yet.

Over the last 20 years, there's a steady track record of highly touted talents taking off during their third NHL season, and we expect Hischier to do the same - especially with Taylor Hall healthy.

The duo of Hischier and Hall appeared in only 29 games together last season. With Hall in the lineup, Hischier mustered 0.75 points per game compared to 0.63 without him. The latter mark is still commendable for a second-year center tasked with catalyzing an offensively weak roster while also fulfilling his defensive duties.

The Devils got stronger at both ends of the ice this offseason with the additions of P.K. Subban, Wayne Simmonds, Jack Hughes, and Nikita Gusev. The improved depth should give Hischier more opportunity to capitalize, particularly on the power play. Assuming he stays healthy, Hischier can certainly break the 70-point mark and muster 25-to-30 goals.

Ondrej Kase, RW, Ducks

Kase has shown he's got all the tools to produce at a high level - he just needs more opportunities to contribute. With Corey Perry out of the mix, Kase is a strong option to pair alongside perennial playmaker Ryan Getzlaf on the Ducks' top line.

The 5-foot-11 winger tallied 38 points in 66 games in 2017-18 and was on pace for a 54-point breakout campaign in 2018-19 before injuries derailed his season. When healthy, The 23-year-old has proven to be a consistent offensive threat, ranking second in the league in shots per 60 minutes and 13th in high-danger scoring chances (per 60) last season.

Kase is extremely skilled with the puck. He's among the top players in the league in terms of zone entries and exits, and is far better in this department when compared to Perry. The talented Czech also led the league in rush attempts per 60 minutes, and if he's penciled in on the top unit, he should help Ducks sniper Rickard Rakell return to form.

Philipp Grubauer, G, Avalanche

With longtime starter Semyon Varlamov signing in Long Island this offseason, Grubauer has finally landed the No. 1 role he's earned. The German has quietly been one of the best backup goalies in the league, posting a career 2.39 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage over 138 career games.

When the Avalanche leaned on him during a critical late-season stretch in 2018-19, his play never wavered. Grubauer went 9-2-2 with a .955 save percentage over his last 15 starts to help the club capture the final playoff berth in the Western Conference. He then went on to stifle the top-seeded Calgary Flames in Round 1, allowing just 10 goals in the team's five-game series victory.

Grubauer will likely start 50-plus games for an Avalanche team poised to take another step, which should translate to a high number of wins. A full year of Cale Makar on the back end will help, and the acquisition of two-way center Nazem Kadri also benefits the club defensively.

Andreas Johnsson, LW, Maple Leafs

The argument could be made Johnsson announced his arrival with a 43-point rookie season in 2018-19, but we'll consider him a breakout candidate because we believe he can take his production up another level.

The 24-year-old is likely to start the season on a line with Auston Matthews and William Nylander. That trio spent limited time together last season, but when aligned, posted a Corsi-For of 57.53 and owned a 61.5 share percentage of high-danger scoring chances. With the Tavares line drawing a ton of difficult matchups, expect those three to run wild once again.

Johnsson found the majority of his success (16 goals, 36 points) at even strength, which is a strong indication he doesn't need to rely on the man advantage to be effective. In fact, the electric winger ranked ninth among Leafs forwards in power-play ice time last season, and with the absence of Nazem Kadri, Patrick Marleau, and Tyler Ennis, he should become a staple on the second unit.

With his incredible speed and skill, Johnsson could certainly reach the 30-goal mark and land between 55-to-60 points.

Miro Heiskanen, D, Stars

Heiskanen had a sensational rookie season that landed him in a unique class. Only 12 first-year defensemen have hit the 33-point mark since 2009-10, and none of them scored more goals than the smooth-skating Finn, who tallied 12 last season.

What's more impressive about the then-19-year-old's early production is that he did it for an offensively thin team that finished 29th in scoring. However, the Stars bolstered their attack this offseason with the acquisitions of Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry, and expect more production out of developing talents Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov.

The rookie logged an impressive 23:07 of ice time per game last season, including 1:39 on the power play. His minutes may not increase dramatically in Year 2, but he should receive an uptick in usage and see more opportunities with the man advantage.

All advanced stats courtesy of NaturalStatTrick / A3Z comparison by CJ Turtoro

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings have signed goaltender Jack Campbell to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $1.65 million, the team announced Saturday.

Campbell was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, and his new deal will go into effect at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

The 27-year-old appeared in 31 games for the Kings in 2018-19 and posted a record of 10-14-1 to go along with a 2.30 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage, and two shutouts.

The 6-foot-2 netminder was acquired by the Kings from the Dallas Stars in June 2016 and has made 38 career appearances.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews isn't impressed with recent talk that he'll leave the Toronto Maple Leafs for an American market once his current deal expires.

Last week, former NHL executive Brian Burke joined Sportsnet 590 The FAN and expressed his confidence that Matthews will head south after his contract runs out, citing the tax differences between Canada and the Untied States.

"We haven't even started my first year (on the new contract) and then this?" Matthews said on Friday, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger. "I think it's just August, there was nothing going on, why not just spark up a controversy. How better to do that than to talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs."

Matthews signed a five-year, $56.17-million pact with the Maple Leafs in February. He would have been a restricted free agent this offseason

The San Ramon, California native grew up in the Phoenix area, and in an interview with The Athletic's Craig Morgan, Matthews said he wants the Arizona Coyotes to be successful, prompting pundits and fans to ponder his long-term intentions.

"It's a little bit disappointing because it's so far away and there is other stuff that could be talked about rather than that," Matthews said. "Obviously you can talk about what you want to talk about. Obviously it creates controversy and will get you a lot of clicks. But it's not really something that bothers me or that I look at because I'm just looking at today and this season and doing the best I can."

Since Toronto drafted him first overall in 2016, Matthews has thrived while leading the Maple Leafs in goals (111) and points per game (0.97).

"I love playing in Toronto," he said. "It's unbelievable. It's the best city to play in in the NHL. Our fans are amazing. The history of the organization is incredible. The spotlight and all of that is something that kind of comes with it and it's something I've learned to embrace and kind of gone with."

The Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 2 to kick off their 2019-20 campaign.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.