*Note: Stats courtesy of Frozen Tools

This week, we will be looking ahead to the 2026-27 season and which players could be in line for big jumps in production. This list features ten young players who are looking to break out and become stars in the league in their own right. Several factors can influence a player to have a breakout campaign, including an increase in ice time, opportunity, new linemates, and even a change of scenery. Who should you be targeting in your fantasy leagues? Let’s look at the Top 10 Fantasy Breakout Candidates for the upcoming season.

10. Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes

Nikishin has been one of the league’s most highly touted blueliners for several years now. The 24-year-old had an impressive KHL career before finally joining the Hurricanes, and he did not disappoint in his rookie campaign. He notched 33 points from the backend during his first year in North America. He became a big part of the eventual Stanley Cup champions’ roster. However, all championship teams have cap casualties, and it appears as though Carolina won’t have the luxury of keeping Nikishin long-term. As a result, his name has been swirling in trade rumors throughout the offseason. If he does indeed get moved to a team where he has a bigger role, we could see his production skyrocket in year two.

9. Tyson Foerster, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

Injuries derailed Foerster's 2025-26 season, but when healthy, he managed 13 goals in only 27 games. This was good enough to earn him an eight-year, $7.5 million AAV deal. The Flyers took a big step this season by qualifying for the postseason. With a healthy Foerster next season, they could reach even higher. Fantasy managers could have an under-the-radar goal-scoring option next season in the later rounds as Foerster should easily hit the thirty-goal mark if he’s healthy over a full campaign. 

8. Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey Devils

Luke Hughes will be 23 at the start of next season. The younger brother of teammate Jack Hughes, Luke has already amassed over forty points twice in his young career. However, it feels like he still has another level he can achieve in his game. Injuries last year limited him to 68 games, where he only registered 35 points. He's now entering the second of a seven-year pact that carries an AAV of nine million. Dougie Hamilton took a major step back last season, and it appears that Hughes will be taking over the reins on the backend. Expectations are high for the young blueliner, and if New Jersey wants to make a legitimate playoff push, they'll need him to step up and be the team’s number one defenseman.

7. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis Blues

Despite the lack of success the Blues had as a team last season, Jimmy Snuggerud put up impressive numbers as a rookie. At only 22, he managed 21 goals and 51 points. He was a big reason that Jordan Kyrou was eventually shipped off to Washington as he took over that number one RW slot on the roster. Fantasy managers should scoop this kid up while they can, because he has the potential to be an elite goal scorer in the NHL. As his ice time and confidence continue to grow next season, he should be pushing the thirty-goal mark, riding shotgun with Robert Thomas. 

6. Zach Benson, LW, Buffalo Sabres

Benson had a solid season for Buffalo with 43 points in 65 games. However, he really started to put the league on notice during the team’s playoff run. His style of play is suited for the playoffs, and he is gaining a reputation as one of the best modern-day pests, combining grit and skill. Benson immediately made the jump to the NHL after being drafted, which is rare for an undersized winger. It feels as though next year is the season he's primed to become a star for the Sabres. 

5. Frank Nazar, C, Chicago Blackhawks

We saw a glimpse of Nazar's potential last year as he was on a tear to begin the season. Ultimately, he did slow down and deal with some injury troubles, but still managed 41 points in 66 games. With Connor Bedard expected to miss the start of the 2026-27 season, 22-year-old Frank Nazar will be stepping into the Blackhawks top center role. Even when he returns to a second-line pivot role, he will have more support around him than he had last season. The Hawks added Patrick Kane as well as injected some young talent in Roman Kantserov and Anton Frondell into the top-six. Chicago will be a fun team to watch next season, and Nazar will be at the forefront of it all. 

4. Mavrik Bourque, C, Nashville Predators

Mavrik Bourque has been a part of some great teams in Dallas over the last couple of seasons. Despite not being a premier offensive weapon on the team, the 24-year-old still had 20 goals and 41 points last year. He has since become a cap casualty for the Stars, who had to prioritize Jason Robertson's contract. He now finds himself in a unique situation on the Predators, as he could potentially be their number one centreman next year. The team is thin down the middle; he will be battling with veteran Ryan O'Reilly for that role. Regardless, his minutes should skyrocket next season and so should his production as a result.

3. Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings

At only 23 years old, Brandt Clarke amassed 40 points from the blueline for Los Angeles last season. He is a part of one of the oldest defence cores in the league. This means that now, and in the future, he is the most important player on the Kings blueline. He will continue to see number one powerplay time, and his overall minutes should also increase next season. Every indicator is pointing towards Clarke breaking out into one of the premier offensive defensemen in the NHL as soon as next season.

2. Simon Nemec, D, Calgary Flames

Traded along with Maxim Tsyplakov for two firsts and a second-round pick, and immediately inked to a five-year deal worth $7.5 million annually, Simon Nemec is now the newest member of the Calgary Flames. The 22-year-old, former second-overall selection's potential was limited in New Jersey due to a lack of opportunity and ice time. However, that won't be the case in Calgary as he may already be the best defenceman on the Flames roster. That fact alone should be enough to make him a worthwhile gamble for fantasy managers. This could be the season he shows what made him such a high selection. 

1. Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens

Out of all the players on this list, Ivan Demidov might have the highest ceiling. The youngster had an impressive rookie campaign for Montreal, despite having little support on the second line. If the Canadiens can acquire him some help at 5-on-5, you can expect his production to skyrocket. Much like teammate Lane Huston, Demidov lives and breathes hockey and was willing to sign a team-friendly deal this offseason to allow the team cap flexibility moving forward. We saw the impact that Macklin Celebrini had in San Jose in only his second year. While they are very different players, they're both from the same draft class, and Demidov has the potential to also have an explosion in production during his sophomore season.

*For more hockey and fantasy coverage, follow me on X (formerly Twitter)  @Cdesjardins67