Every season, a handful of NHL players arrive earlier than expected, smash their previous career highs or suddenly become stars after years of inconsistency.
Some names on this list are young players preparing to take another step. Others are established NHLers who may finally find themselves in the perfect situation.
Here are 10 players who could shock the hockey world during the 2026–27 season.
1. Beckett Sennecke — Anaheim Ducks
Sennecke has the size, hands and creativity to become one of Anaheim’s most dangerous offensive players very quickly.
The Ducks already have Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier attracting plenty of attention. That could allow Sennecke to develop without immediately being treated as the face of the franchise.
Bold prediction: Sennecke scores 30 this year.
2. Bowen Byram — Chicago Blackhawks
Byram might be the most intriguing name on the entire list.
His talent has never really been questioned. Staying healthy and receiving consistent offensive opportunities have been the bigger issues.
Now in Chicago, Byram could receive a larger role beside a young group that includes Artyom Levshunov, Alex Vlasic and Sam Rinzel. His skating numbers are already elite: Byram ranked in the 96th percentile among NHL defencemen in 20-plus-mph speed bursts last season.
Bold prediction: Byram records 55 points and receives Norris Trophy votes.
3. Michael Misa — San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith are already receiving most of the attention in San Jose.
That could work perfectly for Misa.
The second selection from the 2025 NHL Draft joins a Sharks organization suddenly overflowing with elite young offensive talent. He may not need to carry his own line immediately, which could allow San Jose to place him in favourable matchups.
4. Dylan Cozens — Ottawa Senators
Cozens has already produced a 31-goal NHL season, so the talent is clearly there.
The question is whether he can rediscover that version of himself consistently.
A fresh situation in Ottawa could allow Cozens to settle into a defined offensive role instead of constantly carrying the expectations created by his contract and previous breakout. NHL.com identified him as Ottawa’s potential playoff sleeper during the 2026 postseason.
With skilled players around him and Brady Tkachuk no longer dominating the Senators’ forward hierarchy, there should be opportunities available.
Bold prediction: Cozens scores 30 goals and 65 points.
5. Anton Frondell — Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard will naturally receive the headlines, defensive attention and toughest matchups.
Frondell could benefit from all three.
The third pick in the 2025 NHL Draft brings a mature, powerful game that could translate faster than expected. NHL.com currently ranks him third among Calder-eligible players and 15th in its keeper and dynasty rankings.
He might not produce highlight-reel plays every night, but he could become one of Chicago’s most reliable forwards almost immediately.
Bold prediction: Frondell scores 50 points during his rookie season.
6. Jesper Wallstedt — Minnesota Wild
Young goaltenders are unpredictable, but Wallstedt has been considered Minnesota’s future in net for years.
The opportunity may finally be arriving.
Goaltenders often take longer to develop than forwards and defencemen. Once everything clicks, however, the jump can happen almost overnight. NHL.com ranks Wallstedt among its top 20 long-term keeper and dynasty assets.
He does not need to become an immediate superstar. He only needs to earn enough starts to establish himself as Minnesota’s long-term answer.
Bold prediction: Wallstedt wins at least 25 games and receives Calder votes.
7. Josh Doan — Buffalo Sabres
Doan may never become the flashiest player on Buffalo’s roster, but he could become one of its most useful.
He plays with pace, competes around the net and can complement more skilled linemates. Those qualities often lead to a player unexpectedly landing in a top-six role.
NHL.com selected Doan as Buffalo’s potential sleeper entering the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
A full season beside one of Buffalo’s top centres could transform him from a secondary piece into a legitimate scoring threat.
Bold prediction: Doan scores 25 goals.
8. James Hagens — Boston Bruins
Hagens will enter the NHL with high expectations, but Boston may be able to give him something many top prospects never receive: immediate opportunity.
The Bruins need another young offensive player capable of becoming a foundational piece. Hagens possesses the speed, vision and puck skills to fill that role.
NHL.com ranks him among the top seven Calder-eligible players entering 2026–27.
There will be difficult nights, but Hagens could quickly become one of Boston’s most entertaining players.
Bold prediction: Hagens becomes Boston’s second-line centre before Christmas.
9. Cole Hutson — Washington Capitals
Lane Hutson’s immediate success in Montreal showed that an undersized, intelligent and highly skilled defenceman can make an enormous impact without playing a traditional physical style.
Now Cole Hutson has an opportunity to create his own identity in Washington.
NHL.com ranks him fourth among the incoming rookie class and already has him 18th among all fantasy defencemen for 2026–27.
That is a major projection for a player who has not yet completed an NHL season.
Bold prediction: Hutson produces at least 45 points as a rookie.
10. Cutter Gauthier — Anaheim Ducks
Gauthier may already be too established to qualify as a traditional breakout candidate, but his next step could still surprise people.
His shot gives him legitimate 40-goal potential. Anaheim’s improving young core should also create more offensive opportunities than Gauthier received earlier in his career.
NHL.com previously identified him as one of its top sleeper selections, while its current dynasty rankings place him among the league’s 10 most valuable young players.
The breakout may not simply be Gauthier becoming a good scorer. It could be Gauthier becoming one of the NHL’s elite goal scorers.
Bold prediction: Gauthier scores 40 goals.
The Biggest Wild Card
Bowen Byram might have the widest range of possible outcomes.
If injuries or inconsistency return, he could remain an offensive defenceman searching for stability. But if Chicago gives him major minutes and a featured power-play role, he has the skating and puck-moving ability to become one of the league’s biggest breakout stories.
