Top Breakthrough Candidate for Each Team 2025-26: Atlantic Division – Hockey Writer – Season Preview
Over the next few days, I will rank the top breakthrough candidates for each team in the 2025-26 season. First is the Atlantic branch.
Boston Brown Bear: Mason Lohrei
While the Boston Bruins lack real youth sports at this point, Mason Lohrei is an interesting exception. The 24-year-old Blueliner saw the usage of the second pair in his sophomore campaign, showing a flash of ability but struggled with the ice grade department. When the Basement Resident Bears stood out, he had a target share of 52.08% while his target share of 41.94%.
Still, Lohrei’s skills inspired growth. Despite being 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds tall, his phone is very mobile and moves the puck effectively, which are all very valuable traits. His hockey metrics were also great last season. He scored five goals and 28 assists in 77 games, with 33 points, although this was overshadowed by the league’s poor 43 rating.
Lohrei has a path to becoming a reliable No. 3 defender in the NHL, if not the top. However, he needs better influence to reach this state.
Honorary mentions: Matthew Poitras
Buffalo Saber: Irving
The still young Buffalo Saber has a lot of options, but Owen Power is on the breakout list. While the No. 1 pick in 2021 has established the top four defensive players in the NHL, his advantage goes beyond that.
Currently, Power is a high-end organizer whose mobility can complement his 6-foot-6-foot-226-pound frame. The 22-year-old recorded 7 goals and 33 assists in 79 games in the average ice time of last season, with 40 points. The downside is his defensive game – skilled at both ends, he allowed 15Th– The biggest goal among 5-on-5 defenders.
To some extent, the masses forget their power. He is still a very special talent and has a focus on the elite field. Plans to work with offseason partner Michael Kesselring, 2025-26 may be the season when everything starts to hit.
Honorary mentions: Giyi Kulich
Detroit Red Wings: Simon Edvisson
Last season, Simon Edvinsson, who was 6-foot-6 and 209 pounds, was a huge frame start, making it a three-man of three. He scored 78 games in 78 games at the age of 21, scoring seven goals and 24 assists, scoring 31 points and 12 goals. With an average of 21:09 ice time, the youngster is ready to take on a full-time top role in 2025-26.
Moritz Seider saw his puck count pitch after his rookie season – he was the team’s first defender but lacked a stable partner. Fortunately, Edvinsson helped turn the trend around. In just 5-5 ice time of just 500 minutes, they scored 62.50% goal percentage with a score of 20-12. If this is a sign of what is about to happen, both players can soar.
Edvinsson has strong defense and a good vision. He had only 25 NHL action games before last season, so it was admirable to play such a big role and play the way he did. The ceiling for the Detroit Red Wings’ 2021 No. 6 draft pick is high.
Honorary mentions: Marco Kasper
Florida Black Panther: Mackie Samoskevich
Mackie Samoskevich got the use of it and played some great hockey when Matthew Tkachuk sat in the final quarter of the Florida Panthers’ regular season. The 22-year-old winger may be used in 2025-26 due to the top nine former cores of the Panthers stacked, but he has the talent to become a breakthrough player even with the smallest chance.
Florida’s final round pick Samoskevich is a skilled, hard-working player. When Tkachuk briefly entered the top six after being injured, he was natural. Last season, he scored 15 goals and 16 assists in 72 games with 31 points, and his outstanding score was impressive given his limited ice time – 13:19 per game. Unfortunately, the real breakthrough activity depends on the rise of that number, which is an uncertainty. But if Samoskivic’s game retains extra minutes, head coach Paul Maurice may figure out something. After all, he is the player’s coach.
Honorary mentions: Daniil Tarasov
Montreal Canadian: Ivan Demidov
It is unclear how often head coach Kent Hughes freezes Ivan Demidov in 2025-26, but the 19-year-old superstar skill should force his coach’s hands. Demidov attracted the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in the NHL and provided the same snapshot in the NHL, the biggest contender for the league’s trophy. For the Montreal Canadiens’ breakthrough players, the fifth draft in 2024 is an obvious choice.
Let’s assume the Canadians reunite Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovský on the top line. If so, Demidov will often score 40 points on his side last season. But that may not matter. The Russians can immediately become a direct driving force and have the ability to be tilted by others. However, this is not to say that Montreal lacks talent. With many young mid-six forwards looking at their own breakthroughs, Demidov may be the one to unleash their potential.
Honorary mentions: Kirby Dach
Ottawa Senator: Jordan Spence
Last season, Jordan Spence was outstanding in the Los Angeles Kings asylum role. He ranks 85th in 500 minutes of defense with 5-on-5 ice timeTh and 99Th The percentage of points and goals for each 60 minutes. But he summoned the usage of the bottom only on the stacked blue lines.
They were acquired through trade by Ottawa Senators, and they are likely to bet on the 24-year-old to stand out in a higher role. The right-shooter is 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds tall, but his hockey game can be a serious asset. Spence replaced the Senator with the No. 67 draft pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and won a sixth round pick in 2026, possibly an offseason steal.
Honorary mentions: Ridly Greig
Tampa Bay Lightning: Conor Geekie
Since being drafted 11Th Overall, Conor Geekie production has remained stable in 2022. His biggest job last season was in the NHL, with 8 goals and 6 assists in 52 games and 14 points, but this is a 20-year-old.
Related: Understanding Lightning Prospects Conor Geekie
Even more impressive is that in the American Hockey League (AHL), Geekie scored 20 points in 24 games. Premium pieces in July Hockey writer‘Alternative, I checked the correspondence of AHL production for a specific age to NHL odds. From what I found, getting the upside room for top six is about his coin flip, and what became regular in the NHL is based on the certainty of numbers (from “AHL production is odds with the NHL: How do they relate?” Hockey Writer – NHL StuffJuly 2025).
Geekie is a power forward who has shown some hope in the network front and playing skills and should be a useful player in the third line of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2025-26. If head coach Jon Cooper likes what he sees, he can get some look with the team’s better striker.
Honorary mentions: Gage Goncalves
Toronto Maple Leaf: Matthew Knife
Matthew Knies was a complement to the perfect body scores against superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner last season, and was one of the best first-tiers in the NHL. The disappearance of No. 16 will certainly complicate things, but whatever the setback is, the 22-year-old knife can reasonably take another step.
The Cavaliers scored 58 points in 78 games last season with 29 goals and many assists. It should be noted that he shot 19.08% from the field and shot 13.48% on the ice, which could drop. But if he is named Matthews again, there should be few return in this area in the worst case. If the Toronto Maple Leafs captain can approach 82 games this time, the total number of points for Knies may increase. As a star exits, I hope young people can take on greater responsibilities.
Honorary mentions: Henry Thrun
Do you agree or disagree with these options? Feel free to leave your thoughts below!
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