5 NHL players poised for breakout seasons
Patience is key when it comes to most NHL players. It's not often a player is able to enter the league in their rookie campaign and immediately dominate. Most of the time, players need at least a season to develop and reach their full potential.
Some take longer than others, but it's easy to spot when the talent is there and waiting to be unleashed. Let's take a look at five players who are poised to break out this season.
Nico Hischier, Devils
The 2017 first overall pick just turned 22 years old and already has three full seasons of NHL experience under his belt. Hischier hasn't yet been the franchise-altering star he was picked to be, but he's shown promise thus far in his young career. The New Jersey Devils made it abundantly clear how much faith they have in Hischier by handing him a massive seven-year, $50.75-million contract prior to the 2019-20 season.
Hischier should establish himself this year as one of the league's top young centers. He's shown steady all-around improvement since his rookie season, and with the departure of veteran players like Taylor Hall and Andy Greene, the team is his to lead back to winning ways. Most players who break into the league at such a young age typically take some time to acclimate, and now is the time for the Swiss star to step up. Hischier has racked up 51 goals and 84 assists in 209 career games and will be looking to set some career highs this season.
Denis Gurianov, Stars
Gurianov was a pleasant surprise last year by scoring 20 goals and adding nine assists over 64 regular-season games. He was still under the radar entering the postseason, but Gurianov exploded during the Dallas Stars' run to the Stanley Cup Final, scoring nine goals and dishing eight assists. The Stars selected him with the 12th pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, and his rise has likely just begun.
The 23-year-old inked a two-year bridge deal following his great playoff performance and will surely look to prove his worth to the Stars. Gurianov has been skating alongside Jamie Benn and Roope Hintz in training camp, and they could form a trio with serious potential for fireworks.
Nick Suzuki, Canadiens
Last season looked like a disaster for the Montreal Canadiens until they squeezed into the league's return-to-play plan as the 24th seed in an unprecedented playoff format. Montreal stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins in the preliminary round, and a large reason for that was the play of Suzuki.
Suzuki quietly had one of the top rookie seasons last year, recording 13 goals and 28 assists in 71 games. During the return to play, he notched seven points in 10 games. Now, Suzuki finds himself in a spot to continue to grow even more. The 2017 13th overall pick has centered a line with Jonathan Drouin and Josh Anderson in training camp so far, and it appears the team has faith to roll with him as the club's top center this season.
Anthony Beauvillier, Islanders
Beauvillier was on pace to shatter his career-high numbers before the season was cut short. He generated the fourth-most scoring chances at five-on-five among New York Islanders forwards and seemed to establish some real chemistry with linemates Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey. Beauvillier and Nelson shared the team lead with nine goals apiece in the postseason and showed just how dominant they can be together.
Playing on the Islanders nowadays doesn't usually bode well for offensive numbers. Thanks to the ultra-tight defensive system the team employs under head coach Barry Trotz, goals are hard to come by. But after a promising postseason and a full year to build some chemistry with Nelson and Bailey, Beauvillier will look to be one of the main contributors to the Islanders' offense next season.
Robert Thomas, Blues
Thomas is entering his third year in the league and showed improvement during the last two campaigns with the St. Louis Blues. With Vladimir Tarasenko set to miss a good chunk of the season, Thomas' role on the team will be expanded this year. He's centered a line with Mike Hoffman and Jaden Schwartz during training camp.
The 21-year-old racked up an impressive 10 goals and 32 assists last year in 66 games. The Blues selected him 20th overall in the 2017 draft, and he's displayed flashes of brilliance over the last two campaigns. He ranked fifth on the Blues last season with a 51.35 expected-goals-for percentage at five-on-five and led the team with 18 primary assists. With an expanded role this season and bona fide sniper Hoffman by his side, Thomas is in a perfect position to post the best numbers of his career.