Fantasy Hockey: 8 breakout candidates for the 2024-25 NHL season

Drafting gamers on the verge of breakout performances is a good way to complement your fantasy hockey rosters. It’s often a big gamble, given the hit-or-miss nature of selecting people who have not fairly reached their peak but. Nonetheless, the flexibility to determine gamers who can get to a different stage of their manufacturing is tremendously useful. The main focus right here shall be on uncovering the potential of some vivid younger stars past their sophomore years who’re able to reaching new heights offensively within the 2024-25 season.

[Create or join a Yahoo Fantasy hockey league for the 2024-25 NHL season]

Wyatt Johnston, C/RW, Dallas Stars

After racking up 32 targets and 65 factors in 82 video games in the course of the common season in 2023-24, one might argue that Johnston has already damaged out. He added 10 targets and 6 assists in 19 playoff outings to push that principle additional. Nevertheless, there’s motive to imagine that Johnston might enhance additional in 2024-25. His torrid scoring tempo within the second half of 2023-24 earned him 22 targets and 42 factors in his last 42 outings.

Following Joe Pavelski’s retirement, Johnston might shift to the right-wing spot alongside Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz on the primary line. The 21-year-old Johnston will doubtless additionally see a rise in power-play time after averaging simply 1:46 of ice time final season. He ought to surpass 70 factors and may very well be a point-per-game performer if the consistency he displayed down the stretch and in the course of the playoffs carries over into the 2024-25 marketing campaign.

Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, Montreal Canadiens

Slafkovsky went from producing simply 4 targets and 10 factors in 39 NHL outings in the course of the 2022-23 season to supplying 20 tallies and 30 assists over 82 contests final marketing campaign. Following a sluggish begin to the yr, he compiled 18 targets and 43 factors in 53 appearances. He additionally concluded the season with 152 pictures on the right track, 152 hits and 71 blocked pictures.

Slafkovsky is primed to take one other step ahead in 2024-25 after seizing management of a top-line position with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. The 20-year-old Slafkovsky may also be on the primary power-play mixture. He must be wanting to show himself after signing an eight-year, $60.8 million contract extension in July. Fantasy managers ought to profit from his class protection as he pushes previous the 60-point plateau.

Quinton Byfield, RW, Los Angeles Kings

Byfield potted 20 targets and registered 50 factors in 80 video games final season after producing simply eight markers and 33 factors throughout his earlier 99 contests with the Kings. After struggling to seek out his footing on the NHL stage, Byfield was rather more assured in 2023-24. He slot in properly with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe on the highest trio however might heart this marketing campaign’s second unit with dynamic winger Kevin Fiala as a linemate.

The Kings intend to present Byfield a glance within the center after buying and selling Pierre-Luc Dubois to Washington within the offseason. The change provides some danger to choosing the 22-year-old Byfield in fantasy drafts, however he may very well be again on the wing with Kopitar sooner or later, and they’ll doubtless be on the primary power-play unit collectively. In any occasion, Byfield ought to proceed his upward trajectory within the 2024-25 marketing campaign whereas including to his hit and shot totals.

John-Jason Peterka, RW, Buffalo Sabres

Peterka produced 28 targets, 50 factors and 226 pictures in 82 video games final season. He improved dramatically from a 12-goal, 32-point end throughout 77 contests in 2022-23, and he ought to progress additional in 2024-25. Peterka skilled fluctuations in ice time in the course of the 2023-24 season, enjoying with varied linemates earlier than averaging 20:26 of motion in Buffalo’s last 13 outings.

He’s anticipated to return to the primary line and high power-play unit after creating chemistry alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch down the stretch. The 22-year-old Peterka is a high-volume shooter with a 60-plus level upside this marketing campaign.

Dylan Guenther, RW, Utah Hockey Membership

Guenther has showcased loads of offensive upside regardless of being restricted to 78 NHL appearances over the previous two seasons. He chipped in six targets and 15 factors over 33 outings whereas averaging a mere 13:07 of ice time earlier than being loaned to Seattle of the WHL to wrap up his junior profession. His ice time elevated to 16:17 per match final marketing campaign, and Guenther upped his totals to 18 targets and 35 factors throughout 45 video games. He additionally boosted his pictures per recreation from 1.61 to 2.69.

After spending a while within the AHL final season, Guenther shall be positioned in conditions to succeed on the NHL stage in 2024-25. He must be a fixture in Utah’s top-six ahead group and can doubtless be on the primary power-play unit. His distinctive shot and nostril for the web might make him a 30-goal scorer and a 60-point contributor.

William Eklund, LW, San Jose Sharks

Eklund performed 80 video games final season after making 17 NHL appearances within the earlier two campaigns. In a dismal season for the last-place Sharks, he stood out by recording 16 targets, 45 factors, 128 pictures and 72 blocks whereas averaging 18:40 of ice time. San Jose shall be an intriguing staff to watch after including Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Tyler Toffoli to the ahead group. The potential of getting Logan Couture again from a groin damage would offer a lift as properly, however he’s nonetheless going through an unsure timeline for his restoration.

Whether or not Couture returns or not, the expertise improve ought to assist Eklund at even energy and the facility play. His plus-minus nonetheless may very well be an issue relying on league settings, however Eklund might flirt with the 60-point plateau on a Sharks staff that must be higher offensively within the 2024-25 season.

Gabriel Vilardi, C/RW, Winnipeg Jets

Regardless of being restricted to 47 appearances final season, Vilardi was very productive throughout his first yr in Winnipeg, accounting for 22 targets, 14 assists and 117 pictures on web. After averaging simply 14:47 of ice time in components of 4 seasons with the Kings, he logged 17:00 per match with the Jets whereas skating on the primary line and seeing motion on the highest power-play mixture.

Vilardi led the staff with 9 power-play targets, and his 15 factors on the person benefit was a brand new profession excessive. He meshed properly with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, which bodes properly for him going into the 2024-25 marketing campaign. The 25-year-old Vilardi is an damage danger, however he has a 60-point upside if he can keep wholesome.

Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators

Sanderson improved from 4 targets and 32 factors over 77 appearances in 2022-23 to 10 targets and 38 factors throughout 79 outings final marketing campaign. He additionally upped his pictures per recreation from 1.71 to 2.00, and his common ice time per contest elevated from 21:55 to 23:13. Sanderson grabbed a spot on the highest power-play unit and logged probably the most shorthanded ice time on the staff final season. To boost his fantasy upside additional, he was a great supply of pictures (158) and blocks (139). The 22-year-old blueliner ought to proceed his upward pattern in 2024-25 whereas topping 40 factors.