NHL Season: Projected Leap-Forward and Regression Candidates
The National Hockey League (NHL) is gearing up for another thrilling season, and ESPN has identified a dozen players who are expected to experience a significant increase or decrease in their performance.
Leap-Forward Candidates
- Michkov: The young Bulgarian forward is poised for a breakout season after impressing in his rookie campaign last year.
- Misa: The Finnish defenseman is set to build on his promising rookie year, where he recorded 25 points in 50 games.
- Mantha: The Detroit Red Wings' forward is expected to bounce back after a down year due to injury, with 30 goals and 55 points in 2019-2020.
- Kucherov: The Tampa Bay Lightning's star forward is a perennial MVP candidate, and this season is no exception, with 90 points in 56 games last season.
- Hoffman: The Ottawa Senators' winger is set to regain his scoring touch after a dip in production last season, contributing 52 points in 2019-2020.
Rebound Candidates
- Draisaitl: The Edmonton Oilers' center missed out on the Norris Trophy last season due to injury, but is expected to bounce back with 80+ points in 2021-2022.
- Hamonic: The Calgary Flames' defenseman had a down year, but is expected to regain his form with at least 30 assists and 40 points.
- Kucherov: The Tampa Bay Lightning's star forward had a down year due to injury, but is expected to bounce back with at least 80 points in 2021-2022.
- Giroux: The Philadelphia Flyers' center missed out on the Hart Trophy last season, but is expected to bounce back with at least 90 points in 2021-2022.
Rising Stars
- Pettersson: The Vancouver Canucks' winger is a rising star, with 70+ points in 2021-2022.
- Hawryluk: The Arizona Coyotes' center is expected to have a breakout season, with at least 50 points in 2021-2022.
- Buchnevich: The New York Rangers' winger is poised for a breakout season, with at least 50 points in 2021-2022.
Under-the-Radar Players
- Dahlin: The Buffalo Sabres' defenseman is a rising star, with at least 40 points in 2021-2022.
- Rosen: The Los Angeles Kings' defenseman is expected to have a breakout season, with at least 40 points in 2021-2022.
- Dahlin: The New York Islanders' defenseman is poised for a breakout season, with at least 40 points in 2021-2022.
<small>Source: ESPN — read the original story there.</small>
