Fantasy hockey top five breakout stories of 2022

With 2022 coming to a close, NHL.com is taking a look at five of the biggest fantasy hockey breakout storylines of the past calendar year. 

NOTE: Statistical trends are from regular-season games between Jan. 1 and Dec. 29, 2022.
Sabres' Thompson, Dahlin reaching new heights
The Buffalo Sabres have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011 (longest active postseason drought in NHL) but have had renewed fantasy value over the past calendar year thanks to their high-powered offense, led by elite center Tage Thompson and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Buffalo's offense (3.30 goals per game; tied for 11th in NHL) and power play (25.8 percent; fourth) are among the best in the League since Jan. 1.
Thompson ranks third in the NHL in goals per game (0.67; 52 in 78 games) since Jan. 1 (minimum 30 games) behind Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs (0.70) and David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins (0.69) and is also among the League leaders in power-play goals (20; tied for fifth), points (98 in 78 games; tied for 18th), 5-on-5 points per 60 minutes (3.32; fifth; minimum 10 games), power-play points (34; tied for 18th) and shots on goal (302; 14th) over that span.
The 6-foot-6 Thompson, acquired from the St. Louis Blues in the Ryan O'Reilly trade on July 1, 2018, has been arguably the NHL's breakout player of the past calendar year and formed a potent line trio with wings Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner. Tuch, acquired by the Sabres from the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 4, 2021 as part of the return in the Jack Eichel trade, has 72 points in 80 games since the start of the calendar year, and Skinner ranks second in the NHL in 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes (1.71; minimum 10 games) over that span behind Matthews (1.74) - each a testament to Thompson's impact.
Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, has also taken a huge step forward; he's tied for the fifth-most points (70 in 79 games) in the NHL at the position since the beginning of the calendar year and also among the League's best at the position in goals (17; tied for sixth), assists (53; tied for sixth) and power-play points (34; tied for third) over that span.
Blues offense singing new tune with Thomas, Kyrou
The Blues, who won the Stanley Cup in 2019, have seen two depth players from that roster, forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, blossom into the next generation of their forward group. Thomas leads the Blues in assists (61; tied for 20th in NHL), even-strength points (66; tied for 13th in NHL) and points (86 in 81 games) since the turn of the calendar year.
Kyrou leads the Blues in goals (34), power-play points (22) and shots on goal (230) since the start of the calendar year - ahead of more-established names like O'Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko and Brayden Schenn - and has their second-most points (80 in 78 games) in the span. Thomas (49 points in 45 road games; tied for ninth) and Kyrou (48 in 40; tied for 12th) have also been among the best road producers in the NHL since Jan. 1.
Stars' elite young duo shining bright
The Dallas Stars have one of the NHL's most promising young teammate duos in left wing Jason Robertson and goalie Jake Oettinger. Robertson, 23, ranks fourth in the NHL in goals (55) and tied for 10th in points (105 in 87 games) this past calendar year. Robertson is also tied with Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the most game-winning goals (13) in the NHL since Jan. 1 and ranks 13th in shots on goal (309).
Oettinger, 24, despite starting last season as a part of a four-goalie logjam in Dallas, ranks third in the NHL in wins (38-18-4 record) and tied for the sixth-best save percentage (.915 in 64 games; minimum 45 games) since the beginning of the calendar year. He also had a breakout performance during the 2022 postseason (.954 save percentage, one shutout in seven games).
Husso proving to be real deal for Red Wings
Goalie Ville Husso is tied for 11th in save percentage (.913) in the NHL since Jan. 1, tied for sixth in wins (34 in 56 games) and tied for sixth in shutouts (four) over the span - and Husso has had his successful calendar year for multiple teams. Husso, acquired by the Red Wings on July 8, is 12-6-5 this season and tied for the most shutouts (three) - proving his breakout with the Blues (22-5-5, .917 save percentage, one shutout from Jan. 1 to end of last regular season) was no fluke.
Winds could be changing in Hurricanes' goalie crease
The Carolina Hurricanes have started each of the past two seasons with veterans Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta as their goalie duo, but rookie Pyotr Kochetkov has seized nearly all of his NHL opportunities because of injuries to his teammates over the past calendar year and proven capable of being their goalie of the present and future. Since making his NHL debut April 23, Kochetkov has one regulation loss through 18 regular-season games (13-1-4 record). He has the fifth-best save percentage (.924) in the NHL this past calendar year and has three shutouts this season (tied for League lead).
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