Can a superstar truly have a breakout season? While players like Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights, who is projected to surpass his career-high in goals with new linemates Ivan Barbashev and Mitch Marner, are performing exceptionally, they aren`t typically considered “breakout” candidates. A true breakout player is someone known but not yet a household name, a talent long anticipated to flourish since their draft, or a rookie poised to make an unexpected impact in their first full NHL season.
This article presents 30 NHL players set for a breakout in the 2025-26 season, categorized into tiers based on the factors contributing to their potential rise. Enjoy the read!
Jump to a tier:
New scenery
New linemates
Young star to superstar
The wait is over
Rookie sensations
Tier 1: New scenery
These players switched teams and could see their performance significantly improve in their new environments.
Matias Maccelli
F, Toronto Maple Leafs
Matias Maccelli isn`t expected to instantly become a 100-point winger like Mitch Marner, whom he is helping to replace in Toronto. However, the 24-year-old former Utah forward, who was frequently a healthy scratch last season, now has a top-line role alongside Auston Matthews. If he can maintain this position and display the playmaking abilities he showed two seasons ago in Arizona, Maccelli is poised to exceed his previous career high of 57 points, even if he doesn`t reach Marner`s offensive peak with the Leafs.
K`Andre Miller
D, Carolina Hurricanes
The Rangers opted not to invest in Miller`s potential, trading the restricted free agent to Carolina, where he subsequently signed an eight-year, $60 million deal. The Hurricanes, known for their ability to elevate defensemen acquired from other organizations, are expected to help Miller rediscover his offensive game, which sharply declined over the past two seasons. Under coach Rod Brind`Amour`s system and assistant coach Tim Gleason`s guidance, Miller is well-positioned to fulfill his remaining potential.
JJ Peterka
F, Utah Mammoth
Peterka gained recognition on NHL trade deadline boards last season as a pending restricted free agent. Now, he`s a key acquisition for the nascent Utah Mammoth, who traded Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring to Buffalo for Peterka, 23, and then signed him to a five-year, $38 million contract this offseason. Peterka already had a prime role in Buffalo alongside Tage Thompson. His numbers are expected to climb even higher on Utah`s top line with the explosive Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther.
Daniil Tarasov
G, Florida Panthers
General Manager Bill Zito has held a strong belief in Tarasov`s potential since his time as an assistant general manager for the Columbus Blue Jackets. After serving as the primary backup to Elvis Merzlikins for two seasons, Tarasov`s rights were traded to the Panthers in June. The Stanley Cup champions needed a backup and potential successor to Sergei Bobrovsky after losing Vรญtek Vanecek and trading Spencer Knight. Tarasov moves from a team with the 24th-ranked five-on-five defense to the fourth-best squad in the NHL. If he`s going to fulfill his potential, it will be in Florida, supported by their system and Roberto Luongo`s goaltending department.
Trevor Zegras
C, Philadelphia Flyers
When asked about his aspirations for his first year in Philadelphia, Zegras stated his desire for people to transition from saying “he`s good at hockey” to “he`s a hockey player.” The support and structure provided by coach Rick Tocchet should be beneficial. Zegras believes that playing with Matvei Michkov at center could help him rediscover the joy and magic he experienced at the start of his career in Anaheim.
Tier 2: New sidekicks
These players could significantly improve their offensive output thanks to new linemates.
Zach Benson
LW, Buffalo Sabres
Benson saw some action with Tage Thompson last season in Buffalo, but he is projected to start this season alongside the Sabres` top offensive player and Josh Norris, the center acquired from the Ottawa Senators. Last season`s limited results were promising for Benson, 20, as he enters his third NHL season. If he solidifies his spot with Thompson, Benson could experience a significant offensive surge this season.
Leo Carlsson
C, Anaheim Ducks
Carlsson was featured in this tier last season and makes a return thanks to Chris Kreider, acquired from the New York Rangers in June, who waived his trade protection to join the Ducks. While Kreider had 326 goals and 256 points in 883 career games with the Rangers, his production dipped last season due to injuries (22 goals and 8 assists in 68 games). A relatively healthy Kreider, 34, could positively impact both ends of the ice for Carlsson, a 6-foot-3 center who recorded 20 goals and 25 assists in 76 games for Anaheim last season, his second after being drafted second overall in 2023.
Will Cuylle
LW, New York Rangers
Chris Kreider`s departure creates an opportunity for Will Cuylle. Cuylle, 23, has moved up to the Rangers` top line this season, skating with new captain J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad, Kreider`s longtime linemate. Cuylle tallied 20 goals and 25 assists in 82 games last season, playing a robust, physical style that quickly earned him fan favoritism in his first two NHL seasons. This style appears to complement Miller`s production as a top-line center effectively.
Gage Goncalves
F, Tampa Bay Lightning
Few players concluded last season as strongly as rookie Goncalves. He registered 18 points in his final 33 games of the 2024-25 season, followed by four more points in five playoff games for Tampa Bay. Goncalves has earned significant ice time this season, expected to play with Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel on the team`s second line. In limited minutes together last season, this trio generated an impressive 63% expected goals rate.
Mackie Samoskevich
F, Florida Panthers
With key players Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov sidelined for significant periods, the Panthers are seeking internal offensive solutions. Mackie Samoskevich, the 22-year-old winger drafted 24th in 2021, is one such answer. He recorded 15 goals and 16 assists in 72 games last season for the Stanley Cup champions, averaging 13:19 of ice time. Having already contributed two assists on opening night for Florida, an increased role and more prominent linemates are certainly possible for Samoskevich with the short-handed Panthers.
Tier 3: Young star to superstar
You might already know these names, but prepare to hear them much more frequently as they elevate their game.
Pavel Dorofeyev
LW, Vegas Golden Knights
Dorofeyev was already considered a candidate for this tier even before his opening night hat trick against the Los Angeles Kings. That performance only reinforced what the 24-year-old can bring to the Golden Knights this season, following his breakout with 35 goals in 82 games during 2025-26. He stands out as one of the purest shooters on the roster, boasting a 13.8% shooting percentage on 254 shots last season.
Cutter Gauthier
LW, Anaheim Ducks
Gauthier transitions from the rookie tier to the brink of stardom with the Ducks this season. He recorded 20 goals and 24 assists in 82 games last season, with almost all his production coming at even strength. With increased power-play time and a more effective man advantage โ Anaheim had a league-worst 11.8% on the power play last season โ those numbers could dramatically escalate.
Jackson LaCombe
D, Anaheim Ducks
“Who is Jackson LaCombe?” was a frequent question among casual NHL fans recently, following his unexpected invitation to the U.S. Olympic Hockey Orientation Camp and his signing of an eight-year, $72 million contract extension this month. After this season, his name might be universally known: the 24-year-old defenseman registered 12 goals and 29 assists in 75 games last season. Although he primarily played with veteran Radko Gudas, seeing him get more ice time alongside fellow youngster Olen Zellweger this season would be exciting.
Cole Perfetti
C, Winnipeg Jets
Perfetti is the only player held over from last season`s third tier. His previous season was impressive, with 18 goals and 32 assists in 82 games for the NHL`s best regular-season team. However, he hadn`t quite achieved the widespread recognition of a true breakout star. His current season has had a challenging start, as Perfetti is on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. But upon his return, he is expected to slot into the Jets` second scoring line.
Logan Stankoven
C, Carolina Hurricanes
Stankoven was the key player acquired by Carolina from Dallas in the Mikko Rantanen trade. He had already proven to be a tenacious, albeit undersized, forward for the Stars, scoring 12 goals during his rookie season. The Hurricanes are banking on him to fill a crucial void as their second-line center. The addition of Nikolaj Ehlers to the Canes` top line means Andrei Svechnikov will shift to the second line, likely opposite promising winger Jackson Blake. If Stankoven can connect with them, it bodes well for Carolina and for those awaiting the 22-year-old forward`s true breakout.
Tier 4: The wait is over
These are players whose breakout seasons have been long anticipated, and this year, they are finally poised to deliver.
Brandt Clarke
D, Los Angeles Kings
Eventually, Clarke will compel the Kings to unleash his full potential. The 6-foot-2 defenseman, drafted eighth overall in 2021, registered 33 points in 78 games last season, averaging 16:17 of ice time. He consistently showed positive metrics in shot attempts, shots created, and expected goals percentage relative to his teammates. He has always been considered the future of their blue line, and that future is rapidly becoming the present.
Jet Greaves
G, Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets fans have eagerly awaited the moment Jet Greaves takes flight and assumes command of the Columbus crease from incumbent Elvis Merzlikins. He delivered a brilliant performance in 11 games last season, posting a 7-2-2 record with a .938 save percentage and an astonishing 14.5 goals saved above expected. He earned the opening start for Columbus this week, which could be the first of many this season for the 24-year-old, who signed with the Jackets in 2022 as an undrafted free agent.
Marco Kasper
C, Detroit Red Wings
Kasper was set up for success in his rookie season, spending a significant portion of his time (273 minutes) with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on the team`s top line. For an encore, Kasper will be tasked with driving his own line this season, potentially playing between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. That line actually produced strong defensive results (1.2 goals against per 60 minutes) last season, complementing its offensive potential.
Frank Nazar
C, Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks fans likely breathed a sigh of relief โ as did a certain Chicago center drafted first overall in 2023 โ when Nazar accumulated nine points in his last eight games and then 12 points in Team USA`s historic World Championships victory. Connor Bedard needs all the support he can get, and Nazar enters the 2025-26 season as the team`s No. 2 center, leading a line that can alleviate pressure from the phenom in the Windy City.
Matt Savoie
F, Edmonton Oilers
Savoie was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in July 2024 as part of the Ryan McLeod trade and spent last season developing with the Bakersfield Condors. As the Oilers seek high-talent players with low-cost contracts to complement Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Savoie fits the mold perfectly after a solid playmaking performance in the AHL. Drafted in 2022, this season finally presents the opportunity for the rookie to make his mark in the NHL, having played only five games prior.
Will Smith
C, San Jose Sharks
Often overshadowed by the Calder-nominated season of first overall pick Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith had an outstanding rookie campaign as his linemate. The fourth overall pick in 2023, Smith tallied 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in 74 games for the Sharks, finishing with a minus-15 rating. They are expected to reunite on the Sharks` top line. Given the high expectations for Celebrini to further increase his point production, Smith should experience a similar jump.
Tier 5: Rookie sensations
These first-year players aren`t waiting for their breakout; they`re making an immediate impact.
Yaroslav Askarov
G, San Jose Sharks
Once considered the goalie of the future in Nashville, the Sharks acquired Askarov in August 2024 as their new hope between the pipes. While the majority of his action last season was with the AHL Barracuda, his 13 games in San Jose were solid: Askarov was the only Sharks goalie to finish on the positive side of goals saved above expected, besides Mackenzie Blackwood. The 23-year-old rookie is expected to receive most of the starts for coach Ryan Warsofsky`s team this season.
Ivan Demidov
RW, Montreal Canadiens
The preseason favorite to win the Calder Trophy, Demidov joined the NHL late last season after being a consistent highlight reel in the KHL. A creative puck handler and explosive offensive talent, the Canadiens are counting on him to provide a crucial goal-scoring spark for a team that ranked 17th in goals per game last season.
Alexander Nikishin
D, Carolina Hurricanes
The 24-year-old made his NHL debut last postseason, appearing in four playoff games for the Hurricanes. Standing at 6-foot-3 and around 220 pounds, he is a ferocious hitter who has the potential to become one of the league`s top young defensemen if his offensive game continues to develop.
Zeev Buium
D, Minnesota Wild
A superb puck-moving defenseman with an exceptional hockey IQ, the 19-year-old Buium is anticipated to become the Wild`s power-play quarterback in the near future. The Wild have partnered him with steady veteran Jared Spurgeon to start the season.
Zayne Parekh
D, Calgary Flames
If he remains in the NHL rather than being sent back to the OHL, Parekh possesses the talent to be one of the best young offensive defensemen in the league. With 107 points in 61 games last season, one hopes he does stick around, as he seems to have little left to prove at a lower level.
Jimmy Snuggerud
RW, St. Louis Blues
Snuggerud provided the Blues with an encouraging preview at the end of last season, tallying four points in seven games after concluding his career at the University of Minnesota. The son of former NHL player Dave Snuggerud, this playmaking winger is expected to bolster the Blues` secondary scoring.
Sam Rinzel
D, Chicago Blackhawks
The 6-foot-4 defenseman is slated for a significant role this season in Chicago, expected to play top-pairing minutes and receive an opportunity to quarterback the Blackhawks` top power play unit.
Matthew Schaefer
D, New York Islanders
The first overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft, Schaefer is an elite offensive defenseman known for his passing and skating. The fact that he also brings a notable charisma to the Islanders is an added bonus.
Arturs Silovs
G, Pittsburgh Penguins
The 24-year-old earned his spot here not only for some tantalizing moments with the Canucks but also for his opening night shutout in Madison Square Garden. Silovs was also named one of Team Latvia`s first six players for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
