By Jared Clinton, features writer New seasons provide new opportunities, which create avenues for players to break out. The 2025-26 season will be no different, and in this article, The Hockey News take a look at the strongest candidates to make a name for themselves or ascend into stardom on the Atlantic Division teams. BOSTON BRUINS: MATTHEW POITRAS It was a surprise when Matthew Poitras made the 2023-24 Bruins out of camp, but a mid-season shoulder injury derailed his campaign. Then, amid this season’s rocky results, Boston [http://thn.com/boston] bumped him back to the AHL [http://thn.com/ahl] to aid his development. He fared well in Providence, posting 17 goals and 41 points in 40 games with the baby B’s, earning his way back to The Show by season’s end. The 21-year-old is primed for a middle-six NHL role in 2025-26. His playmaking and two-way game could see him help rejuvenate the big club. BUFFALO SABRES: JIRI KULICH If the increase in ice time Jiri Kulich saw post-trade deadline is any indication, the Sabres view him as a top-six center. That alone should result in a sharp rise in production for the 21-year-old, who was among Buffalo’s [http://thn.com/buffalo] most effective five-a-side scorers this year. Per 60 minutes, he ranked third on the team in goals and seventh in points. A gifted goal-scorer with a heavy shot, Kulich will be challenging for opposing defensemen to contain. A 20-goal season is the baseline expectation for him next year. Marco Kasper (Terrence Lee-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e97a8861-1100-4dc5-89a4-50930c685edc.jpeg] Marco Kasper (Terrence Lee-Imagn Images) DETROIT RED WINGS: MARCO KASPER The patient approach Detroit [http://thn.com/detroit] takes with prospects has paid dividends, and the development system has another success story after the rookie season Marco Kasper just had. The 21-year-old made a seamless leap to life in the NHL, with his 19 goals (fourth) and 37 points (seventh) placing him top 10 in freshman scoring. If not handed the second-line center job, Kasper will at least have a chance to earn it. His blend of speed, smarts and two-way play will make him a key cog as Detroit seeks to return to the post-season. FLORIDA PANTHERS: MACKIE SAMOSKEVICH Mackie Samoskevich [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/newton-native-mackie-samoskevich-brings-stanley-cup-to-sandy-hook-memorial-during-hometown-visit] grew into his role in the bottom six as 2024-25 went on, but the greatest indicator that the 22-year-old is ready to take on a larger role is how he fared down the stretch. Given a top-six role – he played 17-plus minutes in eight of Florida’s final 26 games – Samoskevich turned in eight goals and 15 points. That accounted for half of his ’24-25 output. He was bumped from the playoff lineup, primarily by the incoming Brad Marchand, but Samoskevich is in position to take a middle-six spot next season. MONTREAL CANADIENS: KAIDEN GUHLE Despite scoring goals at a career-best pace last season, the likelihood of Kaiden Guhle, 23, becoming a 40-point player is slim. Even regular 30-point years could be a stretch. But becoming a big, physical shutdown defenseman who 31 other clubs would love to get their hands on? That’s becoming a reality. Perhaps as early as next season, Guhle could become the perfect partner for Lane Hutson. That would give the Canadiens [http://thn.com/montreal] a dynamic defensive duo who can play against any foe in any situation. Ridly Greig (Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/74f81e9a-f89a-482c-b3cb-354a7885a255.jpeg] Ridly Greig (Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images) OTTAWA SENATORS: RIDLY GREIG Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson lead the Senators [http://thn.com/ottawa]’ revival, but the heart-and-soul style of Ridly Greig has quickly made him a fan favorite and a thorn in opponents’ sides. Greig, 22, has already proven valuable in all situations, but age and experience stand to help him grow into a more consistent offensive contributor. Greig now has two 13-goal campaigns, and he had a career-high 34 points in 2024-25. The next step is flirting with 20 goals and 40 points. Both are realistic goals in 2025-26. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: GAGE GONCALVES Have the Tampa Bay Lightning [http://thn.com/tampabay] unearthed another gem in Gage Goncalves [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/players/what-does-this-lightning-forward-need-to-do-to-be-the-team-s-breakout-candidate]? The 2020 second-rounder had spent the past three seasons as a key contributor for the Syracuse Crunch and even led the AHL squad in scoring in 2023-24, but he stepped into the Lightning lineup in 2024-25 and clung to a steady bottom-six role. Even more promising for Goncalves, 24, was the post-season. His four points tied him for second in Bolts scoring, and he played his way into top-six minutes. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: NICK ROBERTSON Cap constraints and roster reshuffling will provide chances for youngsters to step into larger roles in Toronto [http://thn.com/toronto], and Nick Robertson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/all-nhl-arbitration-cases-are-done-as-maple-leafs-and-robertson-settle] is among those who should benefit most. The 23-year-old has been saddled with bottom-six minutes and limited special-teams time over the past two seasons, but his natural goal-scoring acumen makes him a prime candidate for elevation to the second power-play unit. Robertson ranked fourth on the Leafs in goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time this season. This article [https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/683998/63?t=READY%20TO%20BREAK%20OUT:%20ATLANTIC%20DIVISION] appeared in our 2025 Champions issue. Our cover story focuses on the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the Cup final. We also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans. In addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL season. You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?variant=41284791828614] today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
