With teams halfway through the season, now's the perfect time to identify players who could surge in the second half. Whether they've underperformed so far or are simply primed to break out. These could be rookies ready to take the next step or veterans looking to make an impact as the season winds down. Some of these players have a history of strong second halves, while others don't, but they could still boost your chances of winning your league. Just remember, past performance doesn't guarantee future success. That said, here are 10 players to watch for a potential second-half surge. Enjoy!

10. Morgan Frost (Philadelphia Flyers)

Morgan Frost is starting to earn his stripes with John Tortorella, after a slow start, he is finding his groove as the top-line center and key power-play contributor. With 11 goals and 14 assists through 46 games, he’s on pace for a solid 45-point season, and his playmaking ability is becoming a go-to for the Flyers. As the younger core develops, Frost should see more responsibility and continue to improve. His 13.3% shooting percentage and 1.8 shots per game show room for growth. With increased ice time and consistent power-play usage, Frost's offensive game is trending up.

9. Chris Kreider (New York Rangers)

Something is off with Chris Kreider right now, and it's hard to overlook. He's a proven goal scorer with a deadly net-front presence, especially on the power play. With the Rangers heating up (6-1-3 in their last 10), his leadership and scoring will be crucial down the stretch. His value, however, has dipped significantly. If someone in your league is feeling the sting, it might be a good time to buy low, just keep expectations in check, I have him at #9 on this list, not #1. As for those rumored JT Miller or Elias Pettersson talks, nothing materialized, and it doesn't seem Kreider was involved, yet.

8. Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils)

A few months back, I mentioned Luke Hughes slipping from the top spot, but things can change quickly, especially during a losing streak. The Devils stumbled out of the gate in the new year, and while their power play ranks second in the league, Dougie Hamilton hasn't been much of a factor. His last power-play point before Jan. 22 came way back on Dec. 2 against the Rangers. If this trend holds, Hughes' elite skating and offensive pedigree could earn him more power-play time. His late-season surge last year showed he can rise to the occasion. If given the chance, Hughes could make a big leap.

7. Kaapo Kakko (Seattle Kraken)

It looks like we might finally be witnessing an El Kaapo breakout. Kakko's development has been anything but linear, however since his move to the Kraken, he’s started to show the flashes we all expected from a 2nd overall pick. Since joining Seattle, he's been gradually bumped up to the top line with Jaden Schwartz and Matty Beniers. For now, he's still manning the second power-play unit, but he's on pace for his best point total yet, sitting at a 49-point pace. With more confidence and a heavier offensive role, Kakko could be poised to turn his skill set into more consistent, impactful production to cap off the season.

6. Adam Fantilli (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Fantilli looks set to stick on the top line longer than expected, with Monahan sidelined for another 6-8 weeks. His mix of skill, size, and maturity makes him an elite prospect who can drive offense. Fantilli is growing more confident in his top-line role alongside Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko, and with time, we should see a steady uptick in his production, especially on the power play, where he's yet to record a point. Columbus has been giving him more responsibility as the season progresses, and even when Monahan returns, I'd bet Fantilli still locks down a top power-play spot moving forward.

5. Wyatt Johnston (Dallas Starts)

Johnston has turned things around after a slow start, with his production climbing alongside his deployment. Showing poise and offensive instincts well beyond his years, he's thriving in Dallas' top six. Johnston's development suggests a strong finish is on the horizon. He's currently on a 65-point pace but could push closer to 70 if his upward trend continues. With 39 points in 49 games, he'll need 31 in the next 33 games for 70 points, a realistic target if his power-play role (57.7% share) and his time on ice currently over 19+ minutes per game sees an increase.

4. Carter Verhaeghe (Florida Panthers)

Carter Verhaeghe's season has not quite lived up to his 72-point campaign from last year, with him currently pacing for 57 points. His shooting percentage has dipped to a career-low 7.4%, down from 13.8% last season, even though he's still getting 3.0 shots per game. His 5-on-5 shooting percentage of 8.4% only adds to the misfortune. While his power-play usage remains steady at 2:52 per game, his 14 points with the man advantage haven't quite matched expectations. If his shooting percentage bounces back, we could see him closer to the level we expect.

3. Martin Necas (Colorado Avalanche)

It feels like I've been on the Necas train a lot lately, and for good reason. His cold streak looks ready to thaw, thanks to a serious upgrade: going from dragging Kotkaniemi around to lining up with Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin. Necas has been averaging 18 minutes a game this season, but with Rantanen's old spot logging 22+ minutes, expect his minutes and production, to rise. Necas' elite speed makes him a perfect fit alongside MacKinnon. Sure, chemistry might take a bit to click, but when two players of this caliber come together, it's not a question of if, but when.

2. Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina Hurricanes)

Svechnikov's been a steady producer of peripherals, but he's yet to truly hit the mark we all know he's capable of. With Mikko Rantanen now joining the mix, Carolina's high xG rates combined with Svech's elite shot and presence around the net are setting him up for chances at both even strength and on the power play. Whether he’s lining up with Rantanen or alongside Seth Jarvis for that matter, it's a win for him either way. Svechnikov looks poised for a major second half of this season, and with the talent surrounding him, this might just be the year he puts everything together.

1. Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks)

I am going out on a limb with this one. We all know Elias Pettersson is having a rough year, but a rebound isn't out of the question. The Canucks' dysfunction is a clear issue, and Pettersson's production has taken a hit, sitting at just 0.73 points per game (30 in 41), down from last year's 1.09. His 5-on-5 shooting percentage has dipped from 13.3% to 8.7%, and his individual points percentage (IPP) has also dropped. Despite fewer offensive zone starts, he's still heavily relied upon, with a 67.4% power-play share. If his luck shifts and the Canucks find a way to stabilize, or shake things up, Pettersson could return to a point-per-game pace in the second half.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey.