2024-2025 NHL Season Preview: Breakouts

Below is a list of fantasy hockey breakout candidates for the 2024-25 NHL season. A few players listed showed signs of breaking out but weren’t consistent in the fantasy hockey game. I believe we’ll see the following players take their game to the next level and become league winners across the fantasy hockey landscape. 

Check out the rest of the fantasy hockey draft guide for sleepers and targets, who could also be on the list below. I’m on the “rookies can’t breakout” side so you won’t see any rookies below. Some of last season’s breakouts included Wyatt Johnston, Nick Suzuki, Evan Bouchard and Yegor Sharangovich. 

2024-25 Fantasy Hockey Rankings

2024-2025 Fantasy Hockey Breakouts

Owen Tippett, W, Philadelphia Flyers

There’s another level to Tippett’s game, and that’s 40-goal upside. Tippett scored 27 goals in 2022 and found the back of the net 28 times last season. The Flyers’ winger has over 500 shots on goal in the past two seasons to go along with 250-plus hits. Tippett is a strong fantasy asset, and his numbers could improve as the core in Philadelphia continues to grow. 

Juraj Slafkovsky, W, Montreal Canadiens 

Slafkovsky only had four goals and 10 points in 39 games as a rookie, but he took a big leap forward in his sophomore season. You could argue he already broke out as he scored 20 goals and added 30 assists in 82 games. However, he has 30-goal upside this season and 40-goal upside in the future. Slafkovsky went from 12 minutes per game to 18 and found himself on the Canadiens’ top line by the mid-way points of the season. In the second half, the former first-overall pick registered 30 points in 33 games and averaged 19:35 per game. He found instant chemistry with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, and his playmaking abilities were on full display. He’s a great asset in leagues with hits and blocks. 

Alexis Lafreniere, LW, New York Rangers 

It took four years, but Lafreniere showed us last season why the Rangers took him first overall in 2020. The winger scored a career-high 28 goals and 57 points in 82 games, and he had eight goals and 14 points in 16 games in the playoffs. There is another scoring level to his game, and we could see it this season. You’d like to see him get more PP1 time, but it’s also encouraging to see that most of his production came at 5v5. 

Dylan Guenther, LW, Utah Hockey Club

I have plenty of exposure to Guenther this season, and I make him a target in every fantasy hockey draft. The winger had an impressive 18 goals and 35 points in his 45 games as a sophomore. His shooting percentage was at 14.9%, which isn’t that high but even with a bit of regression he could push 30 goals. Guenther found himself on the top power play, which should be the case this season. The PP should also be better with the addition of Mikhail Sergachev. Guenther and Logan Cooley are going to be fan favorites in Utah for years to come. They were great together last season, and I expect them to play 5v5 together this season. 

JJ Peterka, RW, Buffalo Sabres

Peterka is another player I have plenty of shares of heading into the 2024-25 season. I usually take Guenther and Peterka back-to-back around pick 115-120. The winger had a mini-breakout last season as he notched 28 goals and 50 points through 82 games. He moved up the lineup with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, and he should stay there with the departure of Jeff Skinner. He should also get top power play minutes as well. Peterka racked up 226 shots last season and went from 13 minutes to 21 minutes per game from October to April. 

Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks

Carlsson was limited to 55 games last season as the Ducks had a load management game plan for their second overall pick from 2023. Those limitations should be gone in his sophomore season, so sign me up! Anaheim fans should be very excited for Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. This is a duo I expect to see play 5v5 together. 

Gustav Forsling, D, Florida Panthers 

Forsling was a beast for the Panthers last season, especially in the playoffs. He scored 10 goals for the third straight season and he’s a good bet to reach double-digit goals again. Florida let Brandon Montour go in the offseason, so Forsling should get more ice time, including power play opportunities. The Panthers’ defenseman hit the century mark in shots, hits and blocks last season. 

Other Candidates

Tommy Novak, C, Nashville Predators
Logan Stankoven, C, Dallas Stars
Logan Cooley, C, Utah Hockey Club
Fabian Zetterlund, W, San Jose Sharks
Tyson Foerster, C/RW, Philadelphia Flyers
Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Flyers 
Dawson Mercer, C, New Jersey Devils
Cole Perfetti, C/LW, Winnipeg Jets
Matthew Knies, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Jake Neighbours, W, St. Louis Blues 
Kirill Marchenko, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets 
Alex Laferriere, RW, Los Angeles Kings
Connor Zary, C/RW, Calgary Flames
Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators
Brock Faber, D, Minnesota Wild
Jake Walman, D, San Jose Sharks
Olen Zellweger, D, Anaheim Ducks
Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Carolina Hurricanes
Joseph Woll, G, Toronto Maple Leafs 
Sam Montembeault, G, Montreal Canadiens
Yaroslav Askarov, G, San Jose Sharks