Top 5 Breakout Stars for the 2025/26 NHL Season
The NHL has no shortage of star power, but the real intrigue often lies in who’s next. As the 2025/26 season approaches, a handful of players are stepping into situations that could dramatically shift their career arcs.
The five names below have already demonstrated their ability to drive play; now the conditions are in place for them to do it consistently.
Of course, there are no guarantees in the NHL. Careers don’t always unfold the way they’re expected to, but based on everything we’ve seen, the players listed below are well-positioned to break through this season.
Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets
Perfetti is entering the 2025/26 season with momentum and a clear opportunity. He set a career high with 50 points in the regular season last year and delivered in the playoffs, including a Game 7 goal that highlighted his poise under pressure. With Nikolaj Ehlers gone, there’s an opening in Winnipeg’s top six, and Perfetti is the likely choice to fill it.
Jonathan Toews joins the Jets as Perfetti’s new center. While Toews isn’t the player he once was, he still offers steady playmaking and leadership. That pairing should benefit Perfetti, who’s known for his vision and passing touch. Expect him to see more time on the top power-play unit and a bump in his average ice time, especially with Adam Lowry expected to be out for a large chunk of the season.
Perfetti closed last season strongly, scoring 25 points in his final 33 games. He followed that with six points in 13 playoff appearances. That kind of finish to his season suggests he’s ready for a bigger role and heavier workload. If the trend holds, he could push into the 65–70 point range and take the next step as a key piece in the Winnipeg Jets rebuild.
Lukas Dostal, Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks have been preparing Dostal as their long-term starter, and now the crease is his. After stepping in for John Gibson last season, Dostal posted 23 wins in 54 games. Anaheim followed by signing him to a five-year, $32.5 million extension. That contract places him among the league’s top-10 earners at the position and signals full confidence from the front office.
The timing lines up with a broader reset in Anaheim. The team moved on from Gibson and Trevor Zegras, brought in experienced players like Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund, and hired Joel Quenneville behind the bench. With those changes, the Ducks are hoping to turn the corner. Dostal is central to that push.
Statistically, Dostal held up well on a rebuilding roster. He finished with a .903 save percentage and was one of the few NHL goalies to rank in the top five in saves from every shot range. His movement, positioning, and workload management have all been praised. The structure around him should only improve under Quenneville. With a steadier Anaheim lineup in front of him, Dostal looks like a potential All-Star candidate.
Mason Lohrei, Boston Bruins
To their detriment, Boston hasn’t developed many young regulars in recent years, but Lohrei might be worth the wait. The 6-foot-5 defenseman forced his way into the lineup and was playing top-four minutes by the end of last season. Now 24, he’s earned a two-year extension and a bigger role on a team that needs contributions from its blue line.
Lohrei led all Bruins defensemen with 33 points last season and spent time alongside Charlie McAvoy on the top pair. His combination of size, skating, and puck-moving ability fits today’s NHL. He’s confident with the puck, comfortable jumping into the rush, and capable of carrying the play from his own end.
His playoff performance the year before helped build trust with the coaching staff. Despite Boston’s early exit, Lohrei was one of the better players with composed decision-making and smart reads. That carried into last season, where he played 77 games and averaged nearly 20 minutes per night. He finished with a minus-43 rating, the worst on the team, but that number says more about Boston’s struggles as a whole than it does about his individual play.
With Patrice Bergeron retired and the Bruins shifting toward a new identity, Lohrei is in line for more responsibility. He finished among league leaders in power-play assists by defensemen and should remain a key piece on special teams. If McAvoy stays healthy, Lohrei will benefit from a more consistent partner and a more balanced workload. The opportunity is there for him to secure his spot as Boston’s No. 3 defenseman and potentially take on even more.
Jack Quinn, Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo's prospect pool has drawn plenty of attention in recent years, but Quinn remains one of the more intriguing names still waiting for a full breakout. The 22-year-old winger brings a high-end shot, slick puck skills, and strong instincts around the net. Injuries have slowed his development, but when healthy, he's shown top-six scoring potential.
Last season was a frustrating one for the young star. After tearing his Achilles tendon in the summer of 2023, Quinn missed the first half of the year and struggled out of the gate. He had just five points through his first 24 games before finding his rhythm. Over his final 50 games, he recorded 34 points and looked much closer to the forward Buffalo hoped for when they drafted him eighth overall in 2020. His season ended early due to another lower-body injury, cutting short a promising stretch.
Now healthy, Quinn enters 2025/26 with a clear shot at securing a top-six role. With Lindy Ruff taking over behind the bench, the expectation is that Quinn will be given every opportunity to play alongside skilled centers like Dylan Cozens or Casey Mittelstadt. He’s also in line for power-play time on a unit loaded with talent, giving him a strong chance to pile up goals if he can stay on the ice.
Quinn's scoring touch has never been in doubt. He was a point-per-game player in the AHL as a teenager and won Rookie of the Year honours, then held his own internationally with Team Canada. The next step is to stay healthy and deliver a full season of consistent production. If he does, a 25-goal, 60-point year is well within reach considering his talent.
Frank Nazar, Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard might have been the talk of Chicago last season, but Nazar made a strong case that he’s more than just a supporting act. Drafted 13th overall in 2022, Nazar overcame an early college injury and made his NHL debut in 2024/25 after a short stint in the AHL. He finished his rookie campaign with 26 points in 53 games. His role grew quickly, earning more than 17 minutes a night down the stretch.
Nazar then stood out internationally, leading Team USA with 12 points at the 2025 IIHF World Championship and helping win the country’s first gold at the event since 1933. That showing solidified his reputation as one of the league’s emerging young talents.
The Blackhawks wasted no time locking him in, signing him to a seven-year, $46 million extension. He’s expected to center Chicago’s second line behind Bedard, a role that sets him up for favourable matchups and steady production. With playmakers like Taylor Hall or Lukas Reichel potentially on his wings, Nazar’s speed and vision could shine. He ranked in the top 15% for top skating speed last season and consistently created space through pace and smart reads.
Coach Luke Richardson was impressed with Nazar’s two-way play and trusted him with top power-play minutes by the end of the season. That trust, combined with Chicago’s rebuild, gives Nazar plenty of runway to develop without hindrance. He’s already adapted to the league's pace and expectations. With a full season ahead, he’s in a strong position to double last year’s numbers and take a major step forward in his career.
Honourable Mentions
Just outside the top five, these four are positioned for bigger minutes and a real step forward this season. Who’s to say by the end of the season we won’t regret putting these names in our top 5?
Logan Stankoven, Carolina Hurricanes: Stankoven joined Carolina last season and made an immediate impact with 9 points in 19 games after arriving from Dallas. He also dominated in the AHL, scoring 57 points in 47 games and earning Rookie of the Year in the process. The Hurricanes clearly believe in his long-term value, locking him into an eight-year contract. Known for his speed, motor, and hockey sense, Stankoven has secured a top-nine role and could push for more. With Carolina expected to contend, Stankoven’s offensive upside and versatility make him one of the most exciting young players to watch this season.
Matt Coronato, Calgary Flames: Coronato delivered a strong rookie season for Calgary, scoring 24 goals and finishing with 47 points in 77 games. His scoring instincts and aggressive style earned him comparisons to a young Brad Marchand. He was third in goals for the Flames, behind only Kadri and Huberdeau, and earned an offseason extension as the team signalled its intent to build around its young core. With increased top-line minutes and more power-play time expected, Coronato is set for a bigger breakout. A 30-goal season is definitely possible if he continues to develop and takes advantage of the opportunities ahead.
Yaroslav Askarov, San Jose Sharks: Askarov has long been considered one of the most promising goalie prospects in the world, and he now has the chance to prove it in San Jose. The 23-year-old Russian was acquired in a major move and quickly made his mark by dominating in the AHL playoffs with a 1.68 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. The Sharks committed to him with a two-year deal and plan to give him a heavy workload as part of their rebuild. With elite athleticism and sharp reflexes, Askarov is destined to prove himself as San Jose’s next franchise goaltender.
Ivan Demidov, Montreal Canadiens: Demidov enters the season as one of the NHL’s most exciting rookies. The 19-year-old Russian forward was a standout in the KHL before joining Montreal late last year and quickly impressed with points in both the regular season and playoffs. Known for his vision, hands, and creativity, he already resembles a young Nikita Kucherov in his ability to control play. The Canadiens plan to ease him into the lineup, but his talent should earn him prime minutes before long. With Martin St. Louis guiding his development, Demidov could push for Calder Trophy consideration as early as this season.
Only Time Will Tell
Each of these players sits at the point where talent meets opportunity. What unites them is timing, as they step into bigger roles with the chance to improve both their own careers and their teams' performances.
Perfetti has a chance to establish himself as a key scorer in Winnipeg, while Nazar is expected to anchor Chicago’s rebuild. Others, like Dostal, Lohrei, and Quinn, have been trusted by their clubs to handle greater responsibility. As the 2025/26 season begins, these players are entering the year as full-fledged difference-makers. Their progress will shape both their teams and the league’s next wave of stars. Bring on the new season!