Every NHL season brings with it a special crop of players who come out of nowhere, blow past expectations, redefine their roles, and make fantasy managers flock to the waiver wire in unison.

The 2025-2026 campaign has been no exception. From established stars rediscovering their magic to under-the-radar prospects forcing their way up the depth chart, this year's list of early-season surprises covers just about every kind of breakout imaginable. So without further ado, here are the Top 10 Surprise Performers of 2025-2026 (So Far).

(Stats courtesy of Frozen Tools and current to November 1, 2025)

10.   Evgeni Malkin, C/LW, Pittsburgh Penguins

To say Evgeni Malkin is turning back the clock in 2025-2026 would be an understatement. With 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in his 13 games to start the campaign, Geno is currently on pace for 114 points this season, his highest PTS/G rate since 2011-2012. Malkin has found a rhythm with newcomers Anthony Mantha and Justin Brazeau (more on him below) in the early going, helping the Pens to an incredible 8-3-2 start, tied for the second-highest point total (18) leaguewide. While it would be surprising to see Malkin maintain his current point production for the full 82-game grind, Malkin has been the steal of Steel City so far.

9.   Cutter Gauthier, LW, Anaheim Ducks

After a turbulent saga that saw Cutter Gauthier force a trade out of Philadelphia a couple years ago, Cutter looks right at home in sunny California. The sophomore sniper built on a solid rookie campaign (20 goals, 23 assists) by exploding out of the gate in year two, racking up 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his first 10 games, while leading the league with 5.1 SOG/G, over half a shot per game clear of anyone else. If he keeps firing at this rate, 40+ goals is a lock down the road. No longer a Flyer, Cutter Gautheir is flying high with the Anaheim Ducks.

8.   Nick Schmaltz, C/RW, Utah Mammoth

Nick Schmaltz has long been regarded as a consistent top-six forward, but this version looks like something entirely new. With 17 points through his first 11 games, the five-time 20-goal scorer is producing at a blistering 127-point pace – more than double his yearly rate from each of the past two seasons (63). Utah's second campaign has been a revelation from a team perspective, and Schmaltzy is front and centre on the top line alongside Barrett Hayton and Mammoth captain Clayton Keller. It's still early, but if this trio keeps clicking, Nick Schmaltz could be on his way to easily the best season of his career.

7.   Shane Pinto, C, Ottawa Senators

When Brady Tkachuk went down with a wrist injury last month, questions immediately surfaced about who would carry Ottawa's offence in his absence. Shane Pinto has provided a definitive answer. Skating alongside Ridly Greig and veteran Claude Giroux, Pinto has tallied 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 13 games. Pinto has been rolling offensively without much time on the team's top power-play unit. All eight of his goals have come at even strength, making his electric start even more impressive. A two-time 20-goal scorer already, Pinto looks poised to push past 30 for the first time this season.

6.   Trevor Zegras, C/LW, Philadelphia Flyers

After five turbulent seasons in Anaheim, Trevor Zegras flew to Philadelphia this offseason in search of a fresh start and so far, he's found it in a big way. With 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in his first 11 games, Zegras has injected life into a Flyers lineup still shaking off the creative constraints of the Tortorella era. Skating primarily with Christian Dvorak and crafty sophomore Matvei Michkov at even strength, Zegras looks like he's enjoying himself again. Durability has always been the concern, but if he stays healthy, Z will be in the running for bounce-back player of the year.

5.   Frank Nazar, C, Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks knew what they were getting when they drafted Frank Nazar 13th overall in 2022 – speed, skill, and smarts and he's putting it all together in his sophomore season. After an unremarkable rookie year that saw him post 26 points in 53 games, Nazar has come out sharp in 2025-2026 with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 12 games. Centering Chicago's second line between Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi while earning time on the top power-play unit, the 21-year-old looks increasingly confident. There's still plenty of growth ahead, but with Nazar, Bedard, and company, the future finally looks bright again in The Chi.

4.   Dawson Mercer, C/RW, New Jersey Devils

After a few seasons of steady but unspectacular production, Dawson Mercer has busted out of the gate in 2025-2026. The former first-round selection has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) through his first 12 games, a pace that would push him near the 90-point mark for the first time in his career. Slotted into a middle-six role and earning consistent time on New Jersey's lethal top powerplay unit, which fuelled the team's third-best powerplay last season – Mercer has the perfect opportunity to shine. His breakout might just be the missing spark that pushes the Devils to the next level this year.

3.   Justin Brazeau, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Listed at 6'6", Brazeau has been hard to miss in more ways than one so far this season. The undrafted winger has not only secured a full-time role but thrived in it, tallying 12 points (six goals, six assists) through his first 12 games. For context, he managed just 29 points in 95 games across his previous two seasons combined. His 27.3 shooting percentage screams regression, but even with some cooling off, Brazeau's chemistry on the Penguins' second line makes him one of the best feel-good stories of the young NHL season. As long as Pittsburgh keeps winning, Brazeau's story will keep turning heads.

2.   Emil Heineman, LW/RW, New York Islanders

The Islanders acquired Emil Heineman this past offseason in a blockbuster deal with Montreal that also brought in two first-round picks, later used to select highly regarded prospects Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson. While the long-term returns of those picks remain to be seen, the trade is already paying off thanks to Heineman's strong start. The 23-year-old winger has posted seven points (five goals, two assists) through 11 games and added a hefty 48 hits, giving him solid multi-category value. Skating alongside Jonathan Drouin and Bo Horvat and earning minutes on the Islanders' second powerplay unit, Heineman has quickly established himself as a full-time NHLer – and one of the early steals of the season.

1.   Emmitt Finnie, C/LW, Detroit Red Wings

What a journey it's been for Emmitt Finnie. Drafted in the final round back in 2023 (201st overall), the two-way forward developed into a force in the WHL, posting back-to-back standout seasons capped by 84 points in 55 games last year. Detroit took notice and Finnie has rewarded their faith. Given a chance to start the year with the big club, he's made it impossible to send him down, producing eight points (four goals, four assists) in his first 12 games while skating on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. In just a dozen games, Finnie's gone from a late-round afterthought to the biggest early-season revelation of 2025-2026.

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That's all for this week! Follow me on X @SmoothE27 for more fantasy hockey content and analysis, and feel free to DM me with any questions about your team.

Stay tuned for the next Top 10 on Monday, November 10. Have a great week everyone!