Quiet breakout players this season

[featherhawk]

Finally healthy. This was sick last night.

is he eventually going to play C for the kings or is it likely to see him stay on the wing?

been seeing his confidence grow just by highlights and involvement in Fantasy hockey

lots of folks having breakout years or coming out parties so to speak another early on was JJ Moser, D partner for Hedman, he just returned a few games a go, keen to see if he can pick up where he left off which was the ideal partner for Victor.

 

[Craig Ludwig]

I can't wait to see him take McAvoy's PP1 duties away. McAvoy excels at a lot of things but being a PP QB is not one of those things. Lohrei still has his struggles in the defensive zone but having a guy like him generating offense from the back end is something we've been missing since Krug left.

Speaking of good OFD. It looks like Brandt Clarke is doing quite well based on point production. I'm surprised no one has mentioned him yet.

In terms of Brandt Clarke, Kings coaching staff have decided he doesn't deserve to be better than a 6th defenceman and he's now averaging 10 minutes or less a game. I personally don't get it, TBH, but I admittedly don't see many Kings games. Seems to me they are not allowing him to develop and this could hurt in the long term.

 

[Craig Ludwig]

So far in 2025, Albert Johansson needs to be mentioned here. Under previous coach, he was either benched or barely playing, McLellan comes in and Albert is now averaging almost 20 minutes a game.

Harley

He broke out last year

 

[RRhoads]

So far in 2025, Albert Johansson needs to be mentioned here. Under previous coach, he was either benched or barely playing, McLellan comes in and Albert is now averaging almost 20 minutes a game.

Agreed, he's been very good since he got a real chance to play.

 

[Chainshot]

Just revisiting that Protas is now 10th in ESP's, above nobodies like... ummm, Eichel, Crosby, and Jack Hughes. Heh. Not bad company to keep.

 

[Frederixx]

The entire Blue Jackets roster.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Elias pettersson

 

[BKarchitect]

Agreed, he's been very good since he got a real chance to play.

Yeah I think he fits the parity of this thread much more than Ed who was always going to develop into a beast.

AlJo’s stats and physical size don’t pop but he’s such a smooth operator. Such a nice change up from the likes of Petry and Holl.

 

[shaner8989]

Edvidsson
Protas
Bolduc
Knies
McMann
Raymond
Cotter
Cuylle
Marchenko

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

One name I haven't seem mentioned is Dylan Samberg from Winnipeg. He has been great this season and is one of the reasons the Jets are having a season like they are

 

[Stlblues87]

Curious why Dylan Holloway isn’t being mentioned more? 19G/26A and playing a great two-way game.

 

[DougBodger]

Ty Emberson

Oil have a good one there

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Curious why Dylan Holloway isn’t being mentioned more? 19G/26A and playing a great two-way game.

There’s a whole thread about him still on the first page, you don’t get to whine that people aren’t talking about him. Everyone commented on that to start the year too, how Edmonton goofed.

 

[Dotter]

Lucas Raymond was going to be a very good NHL player. Turns out he is proving to be a superstar, how big of a superstar is TBD.

 

[Eegs]

Lucas Raymond was going to be a very good NHL player. Turns out he is proving to be a superstar, how big of a superstar is TBD.

He's 22, I bet he's done growing.

 

[LeProspector]

Curious why Dylan Holloway isn’t being mentioned more? 19G/26A and playing a great two-way game.

Isn’t quiet.

 

[Dotter]

He's 22, I bet he's done growing.

Depends on how many Big Macs he can scarf down in one sitting.

 

[heksagon]

The entire Blue Jackets roster.

This. Also why it makes me think it's unlikely to be entirely sustainable.

 

[Coffee]

Would Will Cuylle constitute quiet?

Not when playing for Rangers

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

This. Also why it makes me think it's unlikely to be entirely sustainable.

Depends on how we define "breakout". The three players specifically mentioned here - Marchenko, Voronkov and Kent Johnson - are all players growing into their games. None of them is playing surprisingly well. They are maturing into the players they had the potential to become. And they're all still young. I don't know how we'll measure their stats against this year's in future seasons, but it's more about measuring their games.

If Voronkov (for example) scores 30 goals this year and scores 20 next year is he busting? Was he unsustainable? Or do we need to wait to see his overall game and how he's contributing to whatever level of success the team is having?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

For Montreal, Emil Heineman has quietly had a great rookie year. Was 6th in rookie points before going down with injury. Was pacing for 20+ goals. Really high energy player and has spent the season in the bottom six

 

[Boud]

Tyler Kleven in Ottawa.

Playing behind Sanderson and Chabot on the left side. Big shutdown Dman who can skate and can play the puck when needed. Still very young and will continue to grow but this offseason there were questions around him being able to take a full time spot on the roster.

He’s done just that and probably more. He’s the guy anchoring that 3rd pair. Shows a lot of poise with the puck for a rookie and he’s been very good defensively. Still some room to grow, he needs to be a bit more physical like he was in the AHL and use his shot more but great season nonetheless.

I would add Matinpalo in the conversation here but he’s not played enough. Definitely looks like a NHL regular though.