Fantasy Forecast: Rookies who could surprise in the 2021-22 fantasy hockey season

It's a time-honoured tradition in every sport: Young players show up to training camp and shock the world by surpassing veterans on the depth chart to make the opening night roster.

Some of these players are teenagers and end up back with their junior teams before they play their 10th game of the season -- at which point a CBA clause activates the first year of their entry-level deal. Fewer stick around in a depth role and earn valuable experience while also taking their lumps. And even fewer end up making the team and playing a critical role in its success.

There are several young players primed to play major rookie roles: Trevor Zegras, Cole Caufield and Moritz Seider are three of the most commonly cited examples. There are a couple more who are likely to join their ranks in Quinton Byfield, Jamie Drysdale and Spencer Knight. 

There are others, of course, who don't fit neatly into either category just yet. Players like Matt Boldy, Peyton Krebs, Philip Tomasino, Nils Lundkvist, Jack Rathbone and Cole Perfetti all have an excellent pedigree and have posted strong numbers in secondary settings. There are jobs available and they have the inside track on them, even if it's in a depth scenario.