2016-17 breakout candidates

[larrylintz]

A lot of prognosticators seem to focus on who is capable of/likely to surge to the 50-point level. Well, in my format it's hard to get excited about a Wennberg or some bum on the Canes finally hitting 50, or a Cam Atkinson having his big breakthrough by reaching 55 or even 60. There was a great discussion hereabout who was likely to get to 65 and that was interesting, but again, not ambitious enough

In my experience leagues are often won and lost on who managed to get a 15-16 Kuznetzov, or a 14-15 Tarasenko, dirt-cheap. Who is that player this year who comes out of nowhere to hit or break 75? Barkov, Eichel, Scheifele, MacKinnon, seem obvious (though i'm still trying to decide which one i'll target in our auction). Some might suggest Galchenyuk but Galy will never go cheap in a Canadian league because of all the Habs fanatics. None of these names, though, are true sleepers like Kuz and Tank, or on D Ghost and Klingberg, were prior to their break-outs.

Who is your top pick for monster sleeper this year, in terms of a points breakout to the 75ish level? I'm interested in all candidates, whether light (ie Barkov, Eichel et al) or deep sleepers.

[Dikoi]

A guy I'm keeping an eye on where he'll be drafted this year is Mike Hoffman. I think he has that 70pt upside you're looking for. I also see him in your signature so good for you! :P

[newfcollins]

Just curious, you keep mentioning Tank and Kuznetsov, but they were pretty highly regarded before their breakout seasons and would have been tough to get dirt-cheap even before that. Or are thinking guys that come out of nowhere like Foligno and Hudler?

I agree about Hoffman.

Hertl might be a great candidate if he can stick on that top line.

Maybe Elias Lindholm, but a lot has to go right with him.

A lot of people are high on Robbie Fabbri breaking through.

Big sleeper dark horse pick for me would be Devante Smith-Pelley.

[larrylintz]

I agree with the Hoffman idea, he's being pegged for 60 pts by some but he got that last year in spite of limited PP time. New coach was hired in part because of his plans to make better use of Hoff on PP, and that plus addition of Brassard will definitely make Sens stronger with man advantage. I believe he also led league in hit posts. 35-40 goals and 70 wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Big Baby]

Eichel. People have forgotten about this kid?

Nichushkin possibly?

I like Lindholm in Carolina

Sleeeeeppppppeeerrrrr!! Sam Bennett

[Goldendelicious]

A guy I'm keeping an eye on where he'll be drafted this year is Mike Hoffman. I think he has that 70pt upside you're looking for. I also see him in your signature so good for you! :P

I wouldn't really call this a breakout being as he hit 59 last year and 48 the year before.

[newfcollins]

Eichel. People have forgotten about this kid?

Sleeeeeppppppeeerrrrr!! Sam Bennett

The OP mentioned Eichel is an obvious one.

Bennett is a great one.

[Call of Doughty]

Donskoi for 60!

[BenG]

Scheifele
Barkov
Monahan
Schenn
Henrique
Drouin
Trochek
Huberdeau
Schwartz
Burakovsky
Hertl
Silverberg/Rakell
Jordan Staal

Prospects

Larkin
Nylander/Matthews
Laine/Pujullujarvi
Pastrnak
Rantanen
Zacha

[Zorro]

Scheifele!! Scheifele!! Scheifele!!

[Kory14]

I like Sebastian Aho. I think he has great potential and he is on a team that will give him all sorts of opportunities to breakout (especially if he gets his projected lineup). I don't think he will be as high of a point getter as some of the other guys but I can see him being a very good deal for what you could get him for. That's just my thoughts anyway. I really like Hoffman as others have said too though and Burakovsky or however you spell that.

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Scheifele I think is already up there and everyone knows he will be drafted high.

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I also really like Donskoi. I think he is right up there for me as well.

[Dikoi]

Donskoi for 60!

I'm a big fan of Donskoi and his game, but 60? I don't think he even comes close with 2nd line and PP2 deployment. A good year for him would be 45-50 pts IMO.

[Seeds of Grapes]

Drouin and Ehlers

[Mr. Guru]

Another vote for Nichushkin.

Drouin, of course.

Not a breakout but I like Stastny to have a rebound year. And with Backes out of town theres a spot on the top PP unit again.
Tarasenko, Schwartz, Steen, _____, Shattenkirk.

Couturier....ended the season really hot. Should easily surpass last years total of 39 points which is also his career high.

Conor Sheary if is sticks with Crosby like he did in the playoffs.

Zibanajed/Hayes/Miller....One of them. Take your pick.

I like one of Coyle or Niederreiter but a bigger edge goes to Coyle.

Shinkaruk, Hunter. Played on four different teams last year. Someone to keep on eye on anyways.

Elias Lindholm. 40-50 points.

Ehlers was on a 60 point pace the final three months or something.

Thats all for now.

[Hoopo]

I like the Eichel pick. I think that's a possibility. Also keep Sam Reinhart in mind for similar reasons. if Eichel blows up, Reinhart's likely coming with him for the ride. That's a second overall pick right there, too, he's no slouch.

I also think Radulov is a good risk if you can get him late. Everyone seems to hate him and want him to fail and I think they're allowing that to cloud the fact that he happens to be a very, very good player. The perception is going to force him into much later rounds than he should be going. I think he's a lock for top-30 in scoring, and he could very well wind up top-20. He's probably the #1 guy that could make or break your team if he is still on the board late.