Which players will take a major leap for the 2023-24 NHL season?

We’ve covered the rookies (forwards and defensemen/goalies) and sophomores, but what about the players who don’t really fall in either category? William Eklund and Thomas Bordelau, for example, have played at least six NHL games in the two preceding seasons and a full season in the AHL, making them ineligible for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, and both are entering their third season with the Sharks.

The development of a prospect is never a straight line. Too often, a young player falls by the wayside in the public eye because they don’t deliver on expectations right away. These are the types of players to target in fantasy. They’re often overlooked despite their upside, and often available in the late rounds, potentially providing surplus value.

Here are eight breakout candidates for the 2023-24 season.

Lukas Reichel, C, Blackhawks

If Reichel can start the season on Connor Bedard’s left wing, he’s going to be a very popular late-round pick. He produced 15 points in 23 games on a depleted Blackhawks squad last season, and he’s also coming off back-to-back 50-point seasons in the AHL. He’s ready for a top-six role in the NHL, and the only question is if he’ll be paired with Bedard or center the second line.

If Reichel plays center, the Blackhawks don’t have enough quality wingers to help; on the contrary, it’ll likely be Reichel who elevates the performances of his wingers. They have only two players who scored 20 goals last season on their roster: Taylor Raddysh, who may begin the season on Bedard’s right wing, and Andreas Athanasiou. Reichel’s fantasy value will very much depend on how the Blackhawks lineup shakes out.

Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, Islanders

It’s just been a string of terrible luck for Wahlstrom, whose first two seasons in the NHL were cut short by the pandemic and last season appeared in just 35 games due to a season-ending lower-body injury. He’s in a contract year after accepting his qualifying offer, and he’s known for his ability to score goals even though he’s never scored more than 13 goals in any league since playing for the U-18 NTDP.

The Isles need goal scorers in a big way, and Wahlstrom’s in a good position to do so. Last season, Wahlstrom spent most of his even-strength minutes with Mathew Barzal, but if Barzal is on Bo Horvat’s right wing, at least that still leaves him with Brock Nelson, one of the league’s most underrated and consistent No. 2 centers. A little worrying is Wahlstrom’s finishing ability – a paltry career 9.7 S% -- but with second-line minutes and a clean bill of health, he’s going to set career highs across the board.

Alex Newhook, LW, Canadiens

Newhook wasn’t coming along as quickly as the Avs would like, and the Habs will have much more patience for the talented young forward. He’s scored at least 30 points in back-to-back seasons despite limited ice time and inconsistent play, and he’ll have a chance to earn a top-six role on a team that’s emphasizing young, developing talent over veterans.

There’s a lot of moving parts to the Habs lineup, with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki playing on the top line as the only sure things. With increased minutes at both even strength and on the power play, along with a coach who seems to really connect with his young players, Newhook could be in line for his first 20-goal season and career highs across the board.

William Eklund, LW, and Thomas Bordeleau, C, Sharks

Eklund and Bordeleau represent the first wave of the Sharks’ revamped pipeline, which also includes Will Smith, Quentin Musty and Filip Bystedt, who were all first-round selections in the two most recent drafts. After trading Timo Meier, the Sharks have only two forwards returning from last season who scored at least 20 goals: Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture. They’ll need help scoring goals, especially if Erik Karlsson is no longer in teal when the season begins.

If last season was any indication, look for Eklund to line up with Hertl. The Sharks are so thin they will get buried all season, but Eklund has two other factors working in his favour in fantasy: an encouraging 51.06 5v5 CF% in eight games last season and getting most of his starts in the offensive zone.

Bordeleau lined up next to Couture but the possession numbers were pretty ugly: 40.98 5v5 CF%, 38.07 5v5 xG% and he’s still looking for his first NHL goal. Eklund’s upside is higher, and he would be the target in fantasy, but Bordeleau has a chance to win a top-six role and also gain dual-position eligibility as a LW.

Alexander Holtz, RW, Devils

The Devils top six is incredibly stacked – possibly the best in the league – and it would provide a huge boost to his fantasy value if he can win a spot. Otherwise, we’re looking at a third-line role for Holtz, though a role on the second power play unit could boost his offensive production.

Holtz led the Devils’ AHL affiliate in goals just a season ago and proven that it’s no longer the challenge for him anymore. Holtz was incredibly streaky that season: six goals in five games to start, a six-game drought, then five goals in six games, a short drought, 10 goals in 13 games, then just five goals in the final 18 games to end the season. For the 2023-24 season, he’s worth remembering as a waiver-wire pick-up in case he gets the hot hand.

Cam York, D, Flyers

Quite frankly, the Flyers actually have some young talent already on the roster. By the end of the 2022-23 season, York was averaging close to 22 minutes per game and quarterbacking the power play. He’ll assume that role once again, and nobody on the Flyers blue line is really a threat to steal that job. York comes with a ton of pedigree: he was the top scoring defenseman on a Michigan Wolverines squad that featured Bordeleau and Owen Power, and captained the U.S. to a gold medal at the 2021 World Juniors, scoring six points in seven games and named one of the top three players on his team.

The Flyers’ power play ranked last at 15.6 percent last season in an era where efficiencies have gone through the roof, and taking over the reins from Tony DeAngelo and Ivan Provorov for a full season will ensure they improve. There’s no way to go but up, after all. At a thin position, York can be a good source of points and worth a late-round pick in deep leagues.

Thomas Harley, D, Stars

It'll be interesting to see what the Stars do with Harley, whose high-end offensive skill can take some pressure off Miro Heiskanen. Harley scored 34 points in 66 games for an excellent Texas Stars squad in the AHL, and upon his call-up contributed nine points in 19 games for the parent club in the playoffs. 

Heiskanen will still quarterback the top power play unit, but don't be surprised if Harley gets a few shifts there. That Harley was still productive despite not getting a lot of time on the man advantage is very encouraging, and it also shows that he's not slouch at even strength. Harley has some fantasy value in big leagues that roster at least four defensemen. It's a thin position, and any prospect that offers substantial upside, such as Harley and York, should command some attention. 

All positions courtesy of Yahoo! Fantasy. All advanced stats courtesy naturalstattrick.com.