Sleepers and Keepers: Silovs, Lankinen and the Demko Situation Breakouts come in many forms and fashions. They could be rookies who got their feet wet last year and now ready to take that next step forward. Another option is those who have steadily produced but have another level to reach. Whichever bucket a breakout is in, if you draft correctly and a few are on your roster, you have a much better shot at winning your league. Matthew Poitras, C, Bruins Poitras, taken in second round, 54th overall in 2022, surprisingly was in the Bruins’ opening night lineup last year. He was impressive (five goals, 15 points in 33 games) before a shoulder injury which required surgery ended his year in late January. Boston added Elias Lindholm this year to be their No. 1 center, pushing Charlie Coyle and Poitras down a line. Despite that move, Poitras should still see second-line power-play duty, and barring another injury, see a solid uptick in production. Mavrik Bourque, C, Stars Like Logan Stankoven, Bourque was selected later than he should have been — 30th overall in 2020. Last season, he potted 26 goals and tallied a league-leading 77 points in 71 games for AHL Texas last season en route to being named the AHL MVP. Bourque received a taste of the NHL at the end of year but he's pencilled in as Dallas’ third-line center. Jump on board early; you won’t be disappointed. Jack Quinn, RW, Sabres Like Poitras, injuries limited Quinn last season. The difference here is that Quinn was coming off a 37-point rookie campaign in 2022-23 and entered last season with higher expectations. Quinn appeared in just 27 games but he was productive when healthy, managing nine goals and 19 points, including seven points his last seven games. With the injuries behind him, Quinn should open the season as Buffalo’s second-line right wing and produce accordingly. Matvei Michkov, RW, Flyers Michkov fell to seventh in the 2023 draft with the Flyers benefiting from that drop. As an 18-year-old, Michtov scored 19 goals and 41 points in 47 contests between Sochi and SKA Saint Petersburg last season in the KHL. The phenom is brimming with offensive talent, evident so far in his preseason highlights. Slated to skate on the second line and possibly see first-line power play deployment, the young winger should easily contend for the Calder Trophy this season. Connor McMichael, C, Capitals Call this one a hunch. McMichael, after looking a little like a first-round disappointment, took a step forward last season. While skating mostly on the third line, McMichael potted 18 goals while adding 15 assists, seeing time on one of the top two lines down the stretch. The team added Pierre-Luc Dubois and Andrew Mangiapane, which on paper might mean a move of McMichael down a line. But I have a feeling that McMichael, based on his rise last year, will surprise and outproduce his pre-season expectations. Dylan Holloway, LW, Blues Holloway signed a two-year, $4.58 million offer sheet with St. Louis that Edmonton declined to match. The promise he showed as a rookie in 2022-23 dissipated last season due to injuries and ineffectiveness. Edmonton was looking to sign Holloway to either a short-term or cheaper contract and decided to let him go even after making a few trades to clear cap space. Holloway, a first-round pick in 2020, gets a new lease on his career. He is slated to skate on the third line but could eventually landed in the top six on his new team and should be part of the second power play unit. Jake Sanderson, D, Senators You can argue that Sanderson had his breakout season last year and you're not wrong. The fifth overall pick in 2020, Sanderson posted 28 assists and 38 points (14 on the man advantage) in 77 games, a rise in six points from his rookie campaign. The bigger growth came on the defensive side of the game, as he formed solid shutdown pairing with Artem Zub. Sanderson, though, has another level or two he can easily reach, which could happen this campaign after the Senators traded Jakob Chychrun to Washington during the off-season. Owen Zellweger, D, Ducks Anaheim should have a solid offense, especially on the man-advantage, due to the talent up front. Right now, Zellweger is not slated to skate on one of the team’s two 5-on-4 units, though that should change at some point this season. Cam Fowler is still the Ducks’ No. 1 blueliner, but he is rumored to be on the block and Zellweger is waiting in the wings. Zellweger appeared in 26 games during his rookie season in Anaheim, posting two goals and nine points. A significant uptick in ice time and subsequent production is expected from the talented sophomore. Joonas Korpisalo, G, Bruins By the time you read this, including Korpisalo on this list might be moot. Korpisalo makes this list, despite his game played history, due to the team in front of him. His best run came in the short span of time he spent with L.A. as opposed to Columbus. Now on Boston, if – and it’s a big if – Jeremy Swayman’s holdout continues into the regular season, Korpisalo should be the primary beneficiary of additional action on a better defensive team. Even if Swayman signs soon, Korpisalo gets a small bump, since Boston would be wise not to rush him into game action too quickly. Head coach Jim Montgomery has already announced Korpisalo would be their opening night starter. Arturs Silovs [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5NjgwNzcyNjE1OTA2NzQ2/usatsi_24354994.jpg] Arturs Silovs Arturs Silovs, G, Canucks Will Thatcher Demko be ready for the start of the regular season? That’s what all Vancouver fans want to know. If yes, Demko is primed to once again see most of the action between the pipes. If not, Silovs – and Kevin Lankinen – will man the net for Vancouver. Silovs saved their bacon last year when Demko was sidelined. Lankinen, solid in Nashville, decided to move on and waited for the right chance, signing recently with the orcas, likely due to Demko’s injury status. This one could come down to preference, but one of Silovs or Lankinen will see most of the action for as long as Denko is out. Honorable Mention: Marco Rossi, C, Wild Nikolai Kovalenko, RW, Avalanche Maxim Tsyplakov, RW, Islanders Ty Emberson, D, Oilers Jesper Wallstedt, G, Wild Related:
