GREELEY: 10 players poised to Breakout in 2021-22 NHL season
By: Steve Greeley
The start of an NHL season is an exciting time of year for fans, players, coaches and general managers.
But while fans may be looking forward to one thing, many hockey operations staffs have their attention elsewhere – including keeping an eye on other players from around the league. While trying to bring the perspective of my time in an NHL front office, here are 10 players I’ve circled that are poised to have breakout years, guys who could be stars in the making:
1. Martin Necas, RW/C – Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 22
2020-2021: 53 games – 14G + 27A = 43 points
Scoop: Necas had nights last year where he was able to control the game on the ice. In preseason action this year, Necas displayed the skill, sense and speed that had scouts so excited about him in his draft year. This is a player that can become a point-per-game guy, as soon as this season.
2. Jack Roslovic, C – Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 24
2020 – 2021: 48 games – 12G + 22A = 34 points
Scoop: Lots was expected of Roslovic in Winnipeg, where he never fully blossomed. But after being traded to his hometown Columbus Blue Jackets as part of the Patrik Laine trade last year, I thought he successfully dealt with the emotions of a major trade very well. I think Columbus is a good spot for Roslovic and I anticipate he’ll take the next step offensively. I see him becoming a constant threat for CBJ.
3. Robert Thomas, C – St. Louis Blues
Age: 22
2020 – 2021: 33 games – 3G + 9A = 12 points
Scoop: Many thought Thomas was poised from a breakout season last year, but he entered camp with a surgically repaired wrist. H’s healthy now and signed a new two-year, $5.6 million contract. He often skated with Vladimir Tarasenko during camp and if they can find chemistry early, we can expect Thomas to have a huge increase in production.
4. Jeremy Swayman, G – Boston Bruins
Age: 22
2020 – 2021: 10 games – 1.50 goals-against average, .950 save pct.
Scoop: The Bruins fourth-round pick from 2017 continues to take big steps forward. In the 2021 preseason, Swayman certainly showed that he is primed to win some big games for the Bruins this season, who will start the season without Tuukka Rask. With only 10 NHL games under his belt, Swayman is remarkably poised and confident in the net.
5. Vince Dunn, D – Seattle Kraken
Age: 24
2020 – 2021: 43 games – 6G + 14A = 20 points
Scoop: Dunn finds himself on a team other than the St. Louis Blues for the first time in his NHL career and has seemed to have embraced the excitement around the Kraken. Dunn has shown the ability to contribute offensively at the NHL level but this is a player I believe can take one more step and lock himself into an all-situation, top 4 NHL defenseman this season. Especially since there’s no established depth chart in Seattle, he’ll have that chance.
6. Noah Dobson, D – New York Islanders
Age: 21
2020 – 2021: 46 games – 3G + 11A = 14 points
Scoop: Dobson is only 21 and is already entering his third season in the NHL with the Islanders. Often paired with Zdeno Chara in training camp, Dobson is surrounded by experience and will likely be willing to push the game offensively the same way he did in his junior hockey days. Big power-play minutes appear to be coming his way this season and the production should follow suit.
7. Travis Sanheim, D – Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 25
2020 – 2021: 55 games – 3G + 12A = 15 points
Scoop: Sanehim will likely be partnered with former Sabre Rasmus Ristolainen on the revamped Philadelphia Flyers defense that looks to help Philadelphia get back into the playoffs. Sanheim likely will not log huge power-play minutes but he will be relied on heavily at even strength play, where he already proved he could produce more offensively a few seasons back.
8. Brandon Hagel, RW/LW – Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 23
2020-2021: 52 games – 9G + 15A = 24 points
Scoop: Hagel has a motor that has not turned off since arriving in the Blackhawks lineup. He hunts pucks and makes plays. With a healthy Kirby Dach likely to be his center starting the season, I expect Hagel to show up on the scoresheet more and more.
9. Kaapo Kakko, LW – New York Rangers
Age: 20
2020-2021: 48 games – 9G + 8A = 17 points
Scoop: Kaako has shown increased speed and strength in the preseason this year that should benefit him greatly. Playing with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome, there will be no shortage of puck possession and scoring chances for his line. After a slow start last year with only two goals in his first 20 games, Kaako should hit the ground running and enjoy a noted increase in production.
10. Maxime Comtois, LW – Anaheim Ducks
Age: 22
2020-2021: 55 games – 16G + 17A = 33 points
Scoop: It sure looks like Comtois will be playing with rookie playmaking whiz Trevor Zegras and Rickard Rackell to start the year. This would be ideal for Comtois, too. Comtois provides energy and a willingness to go to the net. He should fit very well with the two high-end offensive producers on the Ducks’ top line.
Steve Greeley joined Daily Faceoff in Oct. 2021 as an NHL analyst after spending 12-plus years in an NHL front office, most recently as assistant general manager of the Buffalo Sabres from 2017-2020. Follow him on Twitter: @sgreeley80.