Goalies to Watch:
- Lukas Dostal (Anaheim) – With John Gibson traded, Dostal could emerge as a top starter after strong peripheral stats last season
- Mackenzie Blackwood (Colorado) – Excelled after mid-season trade from San Jose, positioned for full season success
- Jet Greaves (Columbus) – Young netminder showed elite late-season performance in limited action
Defensive Breakouts:
- Mason Lohrei (Boston) – Led Bruins defensemen in scoring as rookie, expected expanded role
- Alexander Romanov (NYI) – Signed long-term deal, could see increased minutes after Dobson trade
- Philip Broberg (St. Louis) – Career-high production after leaving Edmonton for larger role
Forward Prospects: Several young forwards are positioned for significant production increases, including:
- Centers like Frank Nazar (Chicago), Marco Rossi (Minnesota), and Connor McMichael (Washington) who showed strong late-season momentum
- Wings such as Jack Quinn (Buffalo), Matt Coronato (Calgary), and Will Cuylle (NY Rangers) entering prime development years
- Players in new situations like Kaapo Kakko (Seattle) and Filip Chytil (Vancouver) who could benefit from fresh starts
Key Themes:
- Many candidates are 21-25 years old entering their prime development window
- Several players are moving into expanded roles due to trades or departures
- Advanced metrics suggest many have untapped potential for goal-scoring improvement
- Teams rebuilding or retooling are creating opportunities for younger players
Source: Based on NHL.com’s breakout candidates analysis
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