Every fantasy hockey season has a group of players who make a significant jump.
Sometimes it’s a young player finally putting everything together. Sometimes it’s a player stepping into a bigger role after a veteran leaves. Other times, the numbers were already pointing toward a breakout and all the player needed was more opportunity.
That’s what we’re looking for here.
These aren’t simply the 20 best young players in the NHL, and this isn’t another list of the league’s top prospects. We’re looking for players who have already shown enough at the NHL level to make us believe their fantasy value could take a significant step forward in 2026/27.
Training camp has also given us some important clues. New line combinations, changes in power-play roles and opportunities created by offseason departures can dramatically change a player’s fantasy outlook. That’s particularly important this season with players like Quinton Byfield, Frank Nazar, Roman Kantserov and others entering the season with potentially larger offensive responsibilities.
Some of these players are already being drafted as breakout candidates. Others are still available late enough that fantasy managers can potentially get them at a discount.
Here are 20 players we believe are ready to take the next step in 2026/27.
1. Quinton Byfield — C, Los Angeles Kings
Byfield is the player at the top of this list because his opportunity has changed dramatically. He enters the season as the Kings’ No. 1 center after Anze Kopitar’s retirement and is expected to start between Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe. Byfield already established career highs with 24 goals, 49 points and 180 shots last season, but his production took another step after Panarin arrived in Los Angeles, when he recorded 19 points in his final 24 games. That combination of increased responsibility, elite linemates and improved shooting volume gives him a legitimate chance to make a major fantasy jump this season. NHL.com currently projects Byfield for 65 points, while his average draft position remains outside the top 100.
The Add List Take: This is one of my favorite value picks in the entire draft. Byfield doesn’t need to suddenly become a superstar to outperform his current draft position. A move from 49 points to the mid-60s would already make him a significant bargain, and the possibility of 30 goals gives him even more upside. If he’s still available around the 100th pick, I’m interested.
2. Will Smith — C, San Jose Sharks
Smith has already taken one major step, and now we’re looking for the next one. The 21-year-old jumped to 59 points in 69 games last season after scoring 45 points as a rookie, while also increasing his average ice time from 15:51 to 18:11. His chemistry with Macklin Celebrini was particularly encouraging, with the two players factoring on the same goal 47 times last season. Smith also produced 17 power-play points and 166 shots, giving him several different ways to generate fantasy value. NHL.com’s current projection has him reaching 75 points, which would represent another significant jump from last season.
The Add List Take: Smith is no longer a sleeper in the traditional sense, but I still think there’s another level here. Playing alongside Celebrini gives him one of the best young offensive partners in hockey, and his increasing role suggests the Sharks are ready to let him become a major part of their offense. If you’re looking for a young forward who could push toward 70-plus points, Smith belongs on the list.
3. Logan Stankoven — RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Stankoven quietly put together one of the more encouraging finishes of the 2025/26 season. He scored 44 points in his first full NHL season, but the really interesting stretch came at the end, when he scored 11 points in his final eight regular-season games and then exploded for 11 goals in 19 playoff games. He also developed strong chemistry with Jackson Blake during Carolina’s postseason run, with the two players helping form one of the most productive young combinations on the Hurricanes. NHL.com projects Stankoven for 61 points this season, and his current fantasy ranking still leaves room for another jump.
The Add List Take: I’m buying the second-half production. Stankoven has already demonstrated that he can score at the NHL level, and the playoff performance showed what his ceiling can look like when he’s given offensive opportunities. He doesn’t need to repeat his postseason goal-scoring pace to become a fantasy bargain. If he carries that confidence into the regular season, 60 points is very much within reach.
4. Jackson Blake — RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Blake may be one of the most overlooked players in this entire group. He finished last season with 53 points and then became one of Carolina’s most productive players in the playoffs, leading the Hurricanes with 20 points in 19 games. He also led the entire NHL in even-strength playoff points with 18. The Hurricanes appear comfortable keeping him in an offensive role, and his chemistry with Stankoven gives both players a chance to build on their postseason success. NHL.com projects Blake for 61 points in 2026/27.
The Add List Take: Blake is exactly the type of player I want to target before the breakout becomes obvious. He’s already a 50-point NHL player, but the playoff performance suggests there could be another level. If he stays in Carolina’s top-six rotation and continues getting offensive-zone opportunities, I think 60 points is a realistic expectation with even more upside.
5. Brandt Clarke — D, Los Angeles Kings
Clarke’s fantasy value is almost entirely tied to opportunity, and the opportunity is getting much more interesting. The Kings need more offense from their defense corps, and Clarke is one of the organization’s best puck-moving defensemen. He has already shown flashes of offensive production, but hasn’t yet been given the consistent role necessary to turn those skills into fantasy numbers. With Los Angeles reshaping its lineup following Kopitar’s retirement, Clarke has a chance to take on more responsibility and potentially become a more important part of the power play. NHL.com currently projects him for 55 points.
The Add List Take: Defensemen who can move the puck and contribute on the power play are always worth watching, and Clarke has the skill set to become a legitimate fantasy option. I’m not expecting an immediate jump into the elite defenseman tier, but if his minutes and special-teams usage increase, he could easily outperform his current draft cost.
6. Michael Misa — C, San Jose Sharks
Misa technically belongs in the rookie conversation, but I wanted him here because his fantasy upside deserves another look outside the rookie rankings. The 2026 No. 2 pick enters a Sharks organization that is becoming increasingly young and talented, and he has a chance to play alongside some of the most exciting offensive players in the league. NHL.com currently projects him for 53 points, which would be an impressive first season but may actually represent a conservative starting point if his role grows quickly.
The Add List Take: I wouldn’t draft Misa simply because he’s a highly touted prospect. I’d draft him because the environment in San Jose gives him a legitimate path to offensive opportunity. If he establishes himself in the top six and receives meaningful power-play minutes, his fantasy value could rise rapidly throughout the season.
7. Frank Nazar — C, Chicago Blackhawks
Nazar is one of the players I’m particularly interested in because he doesn’t need a massive role change to become more valuable. He’s entering his age-22 season with more NHL experience and a growing role in Chicago’s young offense. The Blackhawks have plenty of young talent competing for minutes, but Nazar has already shown the skill necessary to play with offensive players. Training camp has also provided an interesting development, with Roman Kantserov skating alongside Nazar and Patrick Kane on Chicago’s top line.
The Add List Take: Nazar feels like a classic middle-round fantasy target. He doesn’t have the hype of McKenna or Misa, but he’s old enough to have some NHL experience while still possessing significant upside. If Chicago keeps him in an offensive role and his chemistry with Kane and Kantserov develops, I could see him making a meaningful jump.
8. Zach Benson — LW, Buffalo Sabres
Benson has already demonstrated that he can contribute at the NHL level, but his offensive ceiling hasn’t necessarily caught up with his talent. He finished last season with 45 points and enters 2026/27 with an opportunity to take on a larger role in Buffalo’s lineup. NHL.com projects him for 61 points, which would represent a substantial jump and put him firmly into fantasy relevance. His ability to contribute across multiple categories also makes him particularly interesting in leagues that count more than goals and assists.
The Add List Take: Benson is one of those players who could quietly become extremely useful. I don’t expect him to suddenly turn into a 35-goal scorer, but if he increases his offensive-zone responsibility and continues generating shots and other peripherals, a 60-point season would make him a very valuable fantasy player.
9. Bowen Byram — D, Chicago Blackhawks
Byram gets a fresh start in Chicago after being traded from Buffalo, and that change could be extremely important for his fantasy value. He has already shown flashes of the offensive ability that made him a highly regarded prospect, but consistency and opportunity have been the biggest obstacles. Chicago gives him an interesting environment because the Blackhawks need more offense from their defense corps and are building around a young core. NHL.com’s current projection has Byram reaching 50 points.
The Add List Take: This is a bet on talent and opportunity. Byram doesn’t need to reinvent his game; he needs consistent minutes and the confidence to attack offensively. If Chicago gives him the freedom to play aggressively and he earns power-play responsibility, a 50-point season would be a significant fantasy development.
10. Gabe Perreault — LW, New York Rangers
Perreault is one of the players I’m watching particularly closely because his offensive instincts are better than his current fantasy reputation suggests. He has excellent vision and playmaking ability and is entering a critical stage of his development with the Rangers. Training camp has also provided an encouraging sign, with Perreault skating alongside Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière. NHL.com projects him for 57 points, which would represent a significant jump and put him on the fantasy radar in most leagues.
The Add List Take: Perreault is a player I would rather draft a little early than a little late. If the Rangers give him consistent top-six minutes and power-play exposure, his offensive skill could translate into fantasy production very quickly. The risk is role, but the upside is exactly what I’m looking for in the middle rounds.
11. Adam Fantilli — C, Columbus Blue Jackets
Fantilli’s development hasn’t followed the straight line many expected after he was drafted third overall, but that doesn’t mean the breakout is off the table. He’s still only 22 and has already shown flashes of the combination of size, skating and offensive skill that made him such a highly regarded prospect. NHL.com’s current projection has him reaching 68 points, a substantial jump from his previous production, and Columbus has every reason to continue giving him opportunities as part of its young core.
The Add List Take: Fantilli is one of my favorite upside bets because the talent is not really in question. The biggest question is consistency. If he can stay healthy and become more dangerous offensively at even strength, I think a 60-plus-point season is very possible.
12. Shane Pinto — C, Ottawa Senators
Pinto doesn’t have the prospect hype of some of the younger players on this list, but that’s exactly why he’s interesting. He has already shown he can score at the NHL level and enters the season with an opportunity to become a more important offensive contributor for Ottawa. NHL.com projects him for 50 points, and at 25 years old, he’s entering the part of his career where a player’s offensive game can still make a significant jump while becoming more consistent.
The Add List Take: Pinto isn’t a player I’d draft expecting a 70-point breakout, but he could be one of those players who gives you considerably more than his draft position suggests. His combination of size, shooting and center eligibility gives him some additional fantasy appeal, particularly in deeper leagues.
13. Marco Rossi — C, Vancouver Canucks
Rossi is one of the more intriguing players on this list because a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs. He’s already demonstrated that he can produce in the NHL, but his role and consistency have fluctuated. Now with Vancouver, and centering the BRO line, he enters a situation where the Canucks have plenty of questions surrounding their forward group and need players to step into larger offensive roles. NHL.com currently projects Rossi for 54 points.
The Add List Take: I’m interested in Rossi as a value play rather than a must-draft player. The talent is there, and a 50-point season is certainly attainable, but the real appeal is the possibility that Vancouver gives him the offensive responsibility he’s been looking for. If that happens, he could become a very useful fantasy center.
14. Matt Coronato — RW, Calgary Flames
Coronato has already shown flashes of being a dangerous NHL goal scorer, but we’re still waiting for the consistency to arrive. He’s entering an important season in Calgary, where the Flames need young offensive players to become larger parts of the team’s attack. NHL.com projects him for 53 points, and a jump in shooting efficiency combined with more offensive responsibility could push him beyond that number.
The Add List Take: Coronato is a player I’m willing to take a chance on because goal-scoring ability is difficult to find late in fantasy drafts. He doesn’t need to become a complete offensive player to provide value. If he simply becomes more consistent and gets more opportunities around the net, his goal total could take a noticeable step forward.
15. Fraser Minten — C, Boston Bruins
Minten is one of the deeper names on this list, but I think he’s worth highlighting because opportunity can change quickly for young centers. Boston has several roster decisions to make, and Minten has the size and two-way game to earn a larger role if he performs well. NHL.com’s current projection has him around 42 points, which doesn’t make him an immediate standard-league target, but it does establish a reasonable baseline for a player who could become more valuable as his role develops.
The Add List Take: This is more of a late-round or waiver-wire target for me. I wouldn’t reach for Minten in a standard league, but he’s exactly the type of player I want to monitor through the first month. If he earns top-nine minutes and power-play exposure, his fantasy value could change quickly.
16. Danila Yurov — RW, Minnesota Wild
Yurov is entering a crucial stage of his development with Minnesota. He’s already established himself as a highly regarded young forward, and the Wild have plenty of incentive to give their younger players meaningful opportunities. NHL.com projects him for 45 points, but that number shouldn’t be viewed as his ceiling. If Minnesota gives him more offensive-zone starts and consistent top-nine minutes, there’s room for significant improvement.
The Add List Take: Yurov is more appealing to me in deeper leagues and keeper formats, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a standard-league waiver-wire option during the season. He’s another player where increased responsibility could matter more than raw talent.
17. Pavel Mintyukov — D, Anaheim Ducks
Mintyukov is one of the defensemen I’m keeping on my radar because the offensive ability is there even if the fantasy production hasn’t fully arrived. He’s still developing at the NHL level and has the puck-moving skills necessary to contribute offensively from the blue line. NHL.com’s current projection has him around 30 points, so this isn’t an immediate fantasy breakout projection, but defensemen can become valuable very quickly when their power-play role changes.
The Add List Take: Mintyukov is more of a deep-league target than a standard-league draft pick right now. What I’m watching is his special-teams usage. If Anaheim gives him a larger power-play role, the offensive ceiling becomes much more interesting.
18. Mackie Samoskevich — RW, Seattle Kraken
Samoskevich gets a fresh opportunity in Seattle after moving from Florida, and sometimes a new organization is exactly what a young player needs. He’s already shown enough offensive ability to suggest that a larger NHL role could unlock more production, and NHL.com currently projects him for 51 points. Seattle has several established forwards, but the team also needs younger players to take on greater responsibility, giving Samoskevich a chance to establish himself as a more important offensive contributor.
The Add List Take: This is one of my favorite deeper sleepers. I wouldn’t reach for him early, but if he’s available late, I’m interested. A player with offensive talent entering a new situation and carrying a projection around 50 points is exactly the type of gamble that can pay off.
19. William Eklund — LW, Ottawa Senators
Eklund has been one of those young players whose fantasy value has been difficult to pin down, but his offensive skill has never really been in doubt. Now with Ottawa, he has an opportunity to establish himself in a new environment and potentially move into a more prominent offensive role. NHL.com’s current projection has him at 65 points, which is one of the more aggressive projections among the players on this list and suggests there could be considerable fantasy upside if his role matches the projection.
The Add List Take: Eklund is one of my favorite upside plays outside the obvious breakout names. A 65-point projection is already telling us what his ceiling could look like, but the important question is whether Ottawa gives him the minutes and power-play opportunities to get there. If it does, his fantasy value could jump significantly.
20. Jimmy Snuggerud — LW, St. Louis Blues
Snuggerud quietly had one of the better finishes to the 2025/26 season among young forwards, and that makes him one of my favorite players to take another step this year. He finished with 51 points in 70 games, including 21 goals, 169 shots and nine power-play points, but his production really took off after Dec. 27. From that point through the end of the regular season, Snuggerud led all NHL rookies with 16 goals, 24 assists and 40 points in 44 games. He also finished fourth among rookies in goals and points despite playing only 70 games, while his shot metrics were particularly impressive. St. Louis appears comfortable using him alongside Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway, giving Snuggerud an opportunity to build on the chemistry and offensive confidence he developed during the second half of last season.
The Add List Take: Snuggerud is exactly the type of player I’m looking for when trying to identify a second-year breakout. He already produced 51 points as a rookie, so we’re not asking him to suddenly become a completely different player. If he can maintain the pace he established after Christmas and receive consistent top-six and power-play opportunities, a 60-plus-point season is well within reach. His combination of shooting ability, size and offensive-zone presence also gives him a strong floor, making him one of the more appealing young forwards to target in the middle rounds.
Five Players I’m Watching Closely
While all 20 players on this list have breakout potential, there are five who particularly stand out to me heading into the season.
Quinton Byfield has the biggest opportunity change. He’s moving into the No. 1 center role in Los Angeles and will have Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe on his wings. That’s an enormous change for a player who already produced 49 points last season.
Will Smith is the player I’m most confident can turn his previous breakout into something even bigger. A 59-point season at age 21, combined with strong chemistry alongside Celebrini, gives him a very strong foundation.
Logan Stankoven is my favorite player coming off a major finish. His 11 goals in 19 playoff games weren’t sustainable, but they showed what his offensive game can look like when he’s confident and receiving opportunities.
Jackson Blake is another player whose playoff performance has me buying the upside. Twenty points in 19 playoff games is impossible to ignore, particularly when he’s expected to remain in an offensive role in Carolina.
And finally, Gabe Perreault is my deeper sleeper. He’s not carrying the same hype as some of the other players on this list, but the skill is there, and his current camp deployment gives him a chance to take a significant step forward.
What Makes a Breakout?
There’s no single formula for identifying a breakout player.
Sometimes it’s age and natural development. Sometimes it’s an increase in ice time. Sometimes it’s a new linemate or power-play role. And sometimes it’s simply a player becoming more comfortable at the NHL level. For fantasy managers, however, there are a few things worth watching.
Opportunity matters. A player can’t produce if he’s playing 13 minutes a night on a checking line.
Power-play usage matters. First-unit power-play time can dramatically change a player’s fantasy ceiling.
Shot volume matters. Players generating more shots give themselves more opportunities to score and are generally less dependent on shooting percentage.
Line combinations matter. Playing alongside an elite offensive player can change a player’s fantasy outlook almost overnight.
And finally, draft price matters.
A 60-point player isn’t necessarily a good fantasy pick if you’re drafting him at his ceiling. A 55-point player can be an outstanding pick if you’re getting him 30 spots later than the market expects.
The Add List Take
The best breakout candidates aren’t necessarily the players with the biggest names. They’re the players where talent, opportunity and draft price intersect. That’s why I’m particularly interested in Byfield, Smith, Stankoven and Blake. All four have already demonstrated that they can produce at the NHL level, but each enters 2026/27 with a legitimate reason to believe more production is coming.
Then there are players like Perreault, Nazar, Coronato, Samoskevich and Minten, who could become valuable fantasy players if their roles grow. That’s what makes this part of the draft so much fun, you don’t need to correctly predict all 20.
If you identify two or three players who make a significant jump from where they were drafted, you’ve potentially found the difference between an average fantasy roster and a great one.
The key is to identify the next step before everyone else sees it coming.
– The Add List +