5 Breakout Players Not on Your Roster

We tend to write off young players far too quickly. Not everyone can jump into the league right away and dominate, as Sidney Crosby had and Connor Bedard likely will.

Here are five players who are under-rostered (≤ 25% on Yahoo leagues) and poised for a breakout season, and an update on a previous article that highlighted eight other breakout players.

1. Seth Jarvis, C/RW, Hurricanes (25% rostered)

The big eye-catching number in Jarvis’ sophomore season was his shot volume, finishing with 187 shots in 82 games (2.3 per game) from 110 in 68 games (1.6 per game) in his rookie season. Along with a 7.5 shooting percentage that’s far too low relative to his immense talent and the league average, Jarvis is poised to have a big season playing on the Canes’ top line. He will play on the power play and averages about a hit per game.

2. Gabriel Vilardi, C, Jets (16% rostered)

Everyone’s sleeping on Vilardi, who is pretty much guaranteed to start the season on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, and before long will also gain RW eligibility. By all accounts, Vilardi’s had an outstanding camp and fit in like tailor-made glove. Top-line minutes at even strength and on the power play? Vilardi should be rostered now. Nikolaj Ehlers, on the other hand, looks like he’ll yet have another disappointing fantasy season.

3. Barrett Hayton, C, Coyotes (13% rostered)

Hayton and the Coyotes still don’t get enough respect. He’s holding onto the No. 1 job between Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, fending off top prospect Logan Cooley. Entering his fifth NHL season, Hayton is coming into his own as a dependable two-way player with 50 to 60-point upside. His shot volume increased dramatically last season and in banger leagues he can be a sneaky source of hits with 167 over the past two seasons.

4. Kaapo Kakko, RW, Rangers (10% rostered)

I’ve been all aboard the Kakko train since last season. His ho-hum numbers last season do not tell the entire story – his analytics look good and he passes the eye test – and he’s set to start the season as the right winger on the top line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Alexis Lafrenière (17% rostered), meanwhile, still continues to attract attention due to his draft pedigree, but he’s had a poor camp so far. The Rangers are trying Lafrenière on the right wing to see if he can push up the lineup instead of being stuck behind Kreider and Artemi Panarin, but Lafrenière continues to struggle to generate offense.

5. Morgan Frost, C, Flyers (5% rostered)

Sean Couturier’s return pushes Frost down the depth chart, but no further than the second line with Noah Cates and Ryan Poehling beneath him. The Flyers have a cast of underrated wingers and Frost will likely be paired with Owen Tippett, both of whom made significant strides last season; Tippett scored a career-high 27 goals and Frost managed to stick with the parent club all season and finished with 46 points. John Tortorella noted Frost’s faceoff ability has improved, which will only lead to more ice time for Frost.

And the eight players that were previously highlighted…

Lukas Reichel, LW, Blackhawks (18% rostered)

Still trending up and tracking to be the No. 2 center. Fantasy value took a hit with Taylor Hall playing on Bedard’s left wing, but that top line won’t be playing every single shift.

Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, Islanders (2% rostered)

The Isles offense is capped without an elite scorer, and Wahlstrom’s just returning from a lengthy injury. However, he was spotted playing PP1 at practice, which is a great sign.

Alex Newhook, C, Canadiens (3% rostered)

It looks like Newhook has a strong hold on a top-six role, perhaps on the top line with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. Look for Newhook to set career highs across the board with ice time that he would’ve never received on the veteran-laden Avs.

William Eklund, C/LW, (5% rostered) and Thomas Bordeleau, C, (0% rostered) Sharks

Eklund has the inside track to be Tomas Hertl’s left winger on the top line, while Bordeleau will likely be a bottom-six center with Mikael Granlund playing the middle. Given the Sharks’ bleak outlook this season, neither have much fantasy value at this moment.

Alexander Holtz, RW, Devils (3% rostered)

Holtz has been given every opportunity to win a top-six role playing on Nico Hischier’s right wing but it’s tough to say if he’ll stay there. Dawson Mercer can move up the depth chart at any time, and Holtz’s fantasy value, if any, will most be derived from special teams.

Cam York, D, Flyers (5% rostered)

York has sneaky value, who may open the season as the QB on PP1. John Tortorella has a reputation for being impatient at times, but it’s overlooked how often he trusts his rookie players. Just look at Noah Cates last season. In leagues that roster a lot of defensemen, York can be a nice stash.

Thomas Harley, D, Stars (1% rostered)

It’s going to be tough to get ice time and Nils Lundkvist is also hankering for some power-play time. Harley was a deep sleeper and longshot in the first place, so this development isn’t so surprising. We’re jumping the gun on Harley at this point.