"We ask because Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel looks like he'll obliterate his career high in goals (36) while skating with Ivan Barbashev and the newly acquired Mitch Marner this season -- a line with incredible chemistry already at the start of the season. But ultimately, a superstar can't be a breakout player. That's reserved for players who are known but not yet household names. Or players we've been waiting to see blossom since their draft year."
"Matias Maccelli is not Mitch Marner, nor is he expected to suddenly become a 100-point winger because he's helping to replace Marner in Toronto. But the 24-year-old former Utah forward, who was a frequent healthy scratch with the Mammoth last season, has a top-line role next to Auston Matthews. If he can be the playmaker he was two seasons ago in Arizona and retain this spot, Maccelli should clear his previous career high in points (57)"
Thirty NHL players are identified as candidates for breakout seasons in 2025-26, organized into tiers such as New scenery, New linemates, Young star to superstar, The wait is over, and Rookie sensations. Breakouts exclude established superstars and instead focus on known yet not household names, late bloomers, and rookies earning full-time roles. Examples include Jack Eichel flourishing with Ivan Barbashev and Mitch Marner and Matias Maccelli stepping into a top-line role beside Auston Matthews, where he could surpass his previous 57-point high. Team moves and linemate changes, plus developmental progress, drive the breakout potential.
Read at ESPN.com
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