Last week's iteration of Eastern Edge featured a retrospective into some of the best under-the-radar fantasy hockey performances of the previous regular season from players on non-playoff teams. As mentioned, sometimes in the fantasy game you have to look back to get ahead. Conversely, it's never too early to dig into some research and have a look ahead at some promising young players ready to make an indelible mark at the NHL level. Pegging a player – or two – poised for a breakout season is one of the best ways to get a leg up on your fellow GMs, especially in the keeper/dynasty side of things.

In limited game action, some of these players have demonstrated flashes of brilliance and are already fantasy relevant, but we're taking a closer look at some of the top intriguing fantasy pieces poised for a big breakout campaign next season.

Honourable Mention: Tyson Foerster, Seth Jarvis, Alexis Lafreniere.

Zach Benson

Benson's last season in junior was a special one. He absolutely tore up the WHL for the Winnipeg ICE to the tune of 98 points in 60 games while displaying elite-level offensive talent and a flair for highlight-reel goals. He followed that up by looking more-than-comfortable in 71 regular-season games with the Sabres while registering 30 points in 2023-24.

However, it's not just his dynamic offensive ability that has a lot of fantasy GMs licking their chops over Benson's potential, as the diminutive 5-foot-10 forward actually plays a responsible two-way game with high hockey IQ and an excellent sense for positional play. There's a lot to like about the future in Buffalo and Benson is going to get a really good shot out of training camp to be in the mix with a number of intriguing young forwards next campaign that include Jack Quinn, J.J. Peterka, and Dylan Cozens. If he can earn a look in the top six and some power-play time during camp, Benson is going to be an excellent end-of-draft option who could explode.

Matthew Knies

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs right now and this summer in The Six is sure to be a spicy one. Changes are coming to this roster, but Toronto should still run out one of the more potent offensive lineups in the Eastern Conference next campaign and Knies is going to get an amazing opportunity to form lasting chemistry with the likes of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and whomever remains in the top-six after the impending shuffling of the deck. Knies proved in back-to-back postseasons that he can get it done when the pressure mounts (three goals, four assists in 14 games), but the really impressive aspect of his most recent playoff performance was the ability to use his larger frame to push around opponents and create chances for himself in the offensive zone. If Knies can consistently harness his strength and finesse around the net, he assuredly fits the bill as a young player poised for a breakout.

Luke Hughes

The IIHF World Championship doesn't always jump off the page with enticing hockey action, but the past few years have featured a number of international squads stacked with recognizable names and fantasy-relevant pieces doing big things as a potential preview for things to come. Arturs Silovs was a much deeper cut and example of this only a year ago, but take a look at what Luke Hughes is doing right now on the back end for the United States and you can't help but get a little bit excited about a player that has all of the tools to be a number one defenseman in this league for a very long time. Hughes' edge work is phenomenal, allowing him to jump up in the rush with ease and get pucks on net. He can also quarterback a power play and impact the game at both ends of the ice. Could Hughes be a little bit more responsible with the puck and commit to a more defensive, physical brand of hockey? Sure. What 20-year-old rearguard couldn't? However, his offensive poise and elite upside make him, arguably, the most intriguing fantasy blue-line prospect out there. Sprinkle in the fact that Hughes is part of a very good young core in New Jersey and the sky’s the limit for this player. Double-circle Hughes for a major breakout campaign in 2024-25 and a big boost in his 47-point output from this season.

Kirill Marchenko

Someone on the Blue Jackets is going to explode next year and we're pegging Marchenko as the guy to do it. Realistically, each of Yegor Chinakhov, Dmitri Voronkov, or Marchenko fit the bill as potential breakout players on Columbus, but we're banking on the guy who's shown us the most so far in terms of his ability to get it done at the NHL level. There is a lot to like about Marchenko's game and we're not just talking about his wicked shot and 30-plus goal-scoring ability. Much like other names on this list, Marchenko would benefit in a big way from committing to his off-ice regime and building out his hulking 6-foot-3 frame, as that is really the main thing missing from the 23-year-old Russian's game that could lead him to being a sneaky pickup as the last player or two on your fantasy hockey roster come September. Marchenko has back-to-back 20-plus-goal seasons already under his belt and more is definitely coming for this under-the-radar player. Jump on him now while you still can.