Fantasy hockey breakout candidates for 2026-27
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1. Will Smith, F, SJS
Average draft position (ADP): 64.0
Smith set NHL career highs in points (59 in 69 games), goals (24), assists (35), power-play goals (eight), power-play points (17), game-winning goals (five) and shots on goal (166) in his second season in the League. The 21-year-old, who averaged 18:11 per game last season (compared to 15:51 in his rookie season), had great chemistry with Macklin Celebrini on the Sharks’ top line; they factored on the same goal 47 times last season (sixth most among teammate duos). Per NHL EDGE stats, Smith ranked highly among forwards in mid-range shots on goal (89; 97th percentile), mid-range goals (nine; 89th percentile), hardest shot (90.26 mph; 84th percentile) and power-play skating distance (33.09 miles; 91st percentile) last season. Smith is one of eight Sharks (tied with Montreal for the most) in the top 100 of NHL.com’s fantasy keeper and dynasty rankings, which are the best 25-and-younger options for long-term formats.
2. Jesper Wallstedt, G, MIN
Average draft position (ADP): 59.0
The 23-year-old had a breakout season for the Minnesota Wild in his rookie campaign that saw him set career highs in games played (35), wins (18), goals-against average (2.61), save percentage (.916; second in NHL minimum 25 games) and shutouts (four; tied for third). Wallstedt, who played five NHL games total in the previous two seasons combined before his first full season in 2025-26, played 10 of Minnesota’s 11 postseason games and posted a 5-5 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. Per NHL EDGE stats, Wallstedt ranked fourth in the NHL in percentage of quality starts (69.7%; percentage of starts with a save percentage greater than .900) and was second in that category during the playoffs (70.0%). He also ranked highly at his position in mid-range save percentage (.912; tied for sixth) last regular season and led goalies in high-danger save percentage (.865) in the postseason (minimum five games played). With Filip Gustavsson expected to miss the start of this season due to injury, Wallstedt has top 10 upside at his position in redraft leagues and is the No. 1 goalie in the fantasy keeper and dynasty rankings.
3. Jimmy Snuggerud, F, STL
Average draft position (ADP): 136.5
From Dec. 27 to the end of last regular season, Snuggerud led NHL rookies in goals (16 in 44 games), assists (24) and points (40). Despite being limted to 70 games for St. Louis, Snuggerud provided strong fantasy category coverage of goals (21; fourth among rookies), points (51 in 70 games; fourth in class) power-play points (nine), shots on goal (169; third in class) and hits (71). He was also tied with Dalibor Dvorsky for the most power-play goals on the Blues last season (five each). Per NHL EDGE stats, Snuggerud ranked highly among forwards in hardest shot (95.56 mph; 97th percentile), average shot speed (59.96 mph; 90th percentile), 80-90 mph shot attempts (43; 96th percentile), mid-range shots on goal (74; 93rd percentile) and mid-range goals (eight; 86th percentile) last season. Snuggerud, who’s right behind his frequent linemates Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway in NHL.com’s fantasy rankings for redraft leagues, presents stacking options with either of those forwards in the middle rounds.
4. Quinton Byfield, F, LAK
Average draft position (ADP): 136.2
Byfield set NHL career highs in goals (24 in 79 games), shots on goal (180) and average ice time (20:01 per game) for the Los Angeles Kings last season. The No. 2 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft will start this season as the Kings’ No. 1 center with Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe after Anze Kopitar retired. Byfield, who had 49 points in 79 games last season, had 19 points (13 goals, six assists) in 24 games after the Kings acquired Panarin from the New York Rangers. Byfield also saw an uptick in shots on goal after the Kings added Panarin (2.7 per game from Feb. 4 to end of regular season; averaged 2.09 over his first 55 games prior to trade). Per NHL EDGE stats, Byfield ranked highly among forwards in 20-plus mph speed bursts (297; 98th percentile), total skating distance (267.99 miles; 98th percentile), mid-range goals (nine; 89th percentile), high-danger goals (13; 83rd percentile), mid-range shots on goal (65; 89th percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (63; 87th percentile) last season. The 24-year-old is a full-fledged breakout candidate with 30-goal potential attainable well outside the top 100 overall (fantasy average draft position: 132.6).
5. Logan Stankoven, F, CAR
Average draft position (ADP): 136.2
The 23-year-old set NHL career highs last regular season in goals (21 in 81 games) and points (44) before having a breakout postseason run; he led the Carolina Hurricanes with 11 goals during the 2026 playoffs, marking their second-highest total in a single postseason behind only his coach Rod Brind'Amour (had 12 as player in 2006). Stankoven, who scored seven goals over his final eight regular-season games, formed an elite second line with Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake; that trio combined for 25 goals and 55 points in 19 games during Carolina’s championship run. Per NHL EDGE stats, Stankoven ranked among the forward leaders in offensive zone time percentage (47.3; 97th percentile), mid-range shots on goal (70; 91st percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (60; 85th percentile) last season. Stankoven, who solidified his role as Carolina’s No. 2 center, could carry over that momentum to a full regular season and far exceed his fantasy average draft position (141.6).
6. Jackson Blake, F, CAR
Average draft position (ADP): 141.4
Blake quietly led the entire 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in even-strength points (18) and ranked third in points (20 in 19 games). Blake, who set NHL career highs in points (53), goals (22), assists (31), power-play points (12), shots on goal (174) and average ice time per game (16:30) in his sophomore season, is a full-fledged breakout candidate on the same line as Stankoven. Per NHL EDGE stats, Blake was eighth among forwards in even-strength offensive zone time percentage (46.3) and also ranked in the 90th percentile at his position in high-danger goals (15) last season. Blake and Stankoven are a strong duo to consider stacking during the middle rounds.
7. Brandt Clarke, D, LAK
Average draft position (ADP): 105.3
Clarke set NHL career highs in points (40), goals (eight), assists (32), power-play points (13), shots on goal (159), blocked shots (185), penalty minutes (63) and average ice time (19:48 per game) in 82 games for the Kings last season. He was one of three defensemen last season with at least 40 points, 150 shots on goal and 180 blocked shots (Moritz Seider, Noah Dobson). Per NHL EDGE stats, Clarke ranked highly at his position in high-danger shots on goal (14; 95th percentile), mid-range shots on goal (31; 90th percentile), long-range shots on goal (76; 92nd percentile), high-danger goals (two; 83rd percentile), long-range goals (three; 83rd percentile), offensive zone time percentage (45.5; 93rd percentile), offensive zone starts percentage (43.0; 93rd percentile) and skating distance on the power play (28.08 miles; 93rd percentile) last season. The No. 8 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft has clear breakout potential considering he is expected to play on the first power play after averaging a career-high 2:17 of ice time per game with the man-advantage last season. The 23-year-old is a fringe top 25 defenseman option in NHL.com's fantasy rankings.
8. Mavrik Bourque, F, NSH
Average draft position (ADP): 135.6
Bourque set NHL career highs in points (41 in 82 games), goals (20), assists (21), shots on goal (147), hits (78) and average ice time (15:29 per game) with the Dallas Stars last season. Bourque, acquired by the Nashville Predators this offseason, could bring exposure to Steven Stamkos (42 goals last season; tied for ninth in NHL) on Nashville’s second line and also play on the first power play with high-scoring skaters Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi. Per NHL EDGE stats, Bourque ranked highly at his position in high-danger goals (14; 87th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (59; 83rd percentile) and long-range shots on goal (17; 86th percentile) last season. The 24-year-old could have another career year across the board in fantasy and is worth prioritizing in the later rounds (going undrafted on average), especially in keeper and dynasty formats.
9. Bowen Byram, D, CHI
Average draft position (ADP): 115.8
Byram will be the Chicago Blackhawks’ clear No. 1 defenseman this season, and his top power-play exposure could make him a fantasy steal in the mid-to-late rounds. He has overcome multiple injuries earlier in his career and played in all 177 of Buffalo’s games over the past two seasons (regular season and playoffs combined). Per NHL EDGE stats, ranked highly at his position in 20-plus mph speed bursts (107; 96th percentile), max skating speed (22.87 mph; 91st percentile), skating distance (263.93 miles; 94th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (14; 95th percentile), high-danger goals (three; 92nd percentile), mid-range goals (six; 94th percentile) and mid-range shots on goal (30; 88th percentile) last season. Byram, who had NHL career highs in points (42), goals (11), power-play points (seven) and shots on goal (109) last season, is poised to play 25-plus minutes per game for Chicago and should challenge the 15-goal and 50-point marks, making him a breakout candidate and fringe top 25 fantasy defenseman option.
10. Zach Benson, F, BUF
Average draft position (ADP): 146.9
The Buffalo Sabres wing set NHL career highs in points (43), goals (13), assists (30), short-handed points (two), game-winning goals (four) and average ice time (15:53 per game) in 65 games last season. He also had a strong showing in the postseason with nine points (five goals, four assists) and 26 shots on goal in 13 games while averaging an ice time of 17:06 per game. Per NHL EDGE stats, Benson ranked highly among forwards in high-danger shots on goal (62; 86th percentile) in the regular season and finished highly at his position in high-danger shots on goal (13; 91st percentile) and high-danger goals (three; 90th percentile) in the postseason. Benson is one of four Sabres on the fantasy keeper and dynasty rankings and should see even more top-six usage following the departure of Alex Tuch (others: Josh Doan, Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs).
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Other breakout candidates:
Gabe Perreault, F, NYR (ADP: 129.3)
Frank Nazar, F, CHI (ADP: N/A)
Ryan Leonard, F, WSH (ADP: 134.4)
Michael Misa, F, SJS (ADP: 131.1)
Fraser Minten, F, BOS (ADP: N/A)
Calum Ritchie, F, NYI (ADP: N/A)
Mackie Samoskevich, F, SEA (ADP: N/A)
Danila Yurov, F, MIN (ADP: N/A)
Linus Karlsson, F, VAN (ADP: N/A)
Simon Nemec, D, CGY (ADP: 142.1)
Pavel Mintyukov, D, ANA (ADP: N/A)
Yaroslav Askarov, G, SJS (ADP: 127.1)
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Full-fledged breakout candidates:
Leo Carlsson, F, ANA (ADP: 45.7)
Jake Sanderson, D, OTT (ADP: 63.8)
Brandon Bussi, G, CAR (ADP: 76.5)
Jackson LaCombe, D, ANA (ADP: 79.5)
Brock Faber, D, MIN (ADP: 81.8)
Jakub Dobes, G, MTL (ADP: 82.3)
Ivan Demidov, F, MTL (ADP: 86.1)
Logan Cooley, F, UTA (ADP: 120.2)
Luke Hughes, D, NJD (ADP: 134.4)
William Eklund, F, OTT (ADP: 138.0)
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