4 New NHL Breakout Candidates in 2024-25 – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

August is a quiet season for the NHL. Major trades and signings have been completed, and only a few unrestricted free agents (UFAs) remain. Teams will be training next month, so why not speculate on who we should be keeping an eye on? Every season has its share of surprises, featuring rising stars and young prospects ready to make a name for themselves as they adjust to the NHL. Here are four young players who are ready to break out and show what they are made of.

Alex Newhook – Montreal Canadiens

Last season it played against Montreal The Canadiens were promising Alex Newhook. Traded from the Colorado Avalanche during the 2023 NHL entry draft, Newhook joined a young, thriving group of prospects looking to make a name for themselves in the Atlantic Division. Joined by Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach and others, he had a chance to enter the top six to grow and develop alongside other talented young players on a team that wasn’t looking to win now, unlike the Avalanche.

He dealt with some injuries last season, which caused him to miss time, but in 55 games, he scored 15 goals and added 19 assists. He saw an increase in snow last season, up three minutes. Newhook played the most minutes with Joel Armia and Joshua Roy; they had a 48.7% expected goals percentage and 5.5 expected goals.

The Canadiens didn’t make any significant moves this offseason. But Kirby Dach, who suffered a season-ending injury early in the season, will have a big impact on Newhook’s season. Dach’s offensive prowess is there, with 38 points in 58 games in his first season in Montreal in 2022-23.

The key question is whether Newhook can succeed in the league. In consideration Dach will be fit for the start of the season, Brendan Gallagher and Newhook in the midfield and Dach at the institution can be Canadiens second line. If Newhook can’t run on the wing, seeing him in the middle of the third line with players like Josh Anderson and Christian Dvorak would be the best way for him to develop.

Matthew Knies – Toronto Maple Leafs

Matthew Knies’ first full NHL season was solid. He lived up to expectations as he grew more comfortable, finishing seventh among rookies in scoring with 35 points. Playing on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, he showed a lot of skill and talent and why he might stay on that left wing for the future.

He has performed well in key moments and taken steps to improve his overall game. His physical and mental presence are key factors in challenging situations on the ice, making sure he remains calm under pressure, making the right play and not turning the puck over. He is active, good in tight spots, and effectively protects the puck in possession. He also moves to the center of the ice quickly, and his shot should not be underestimated. In the regular season, he ranked ninth in dangerous field goal percentage with 57.41% of five-on-five (at least 500 minutes on the ice.)

Several players, including Michael Bunting, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Zach Hyman, played on the left wing for Matthews and Marner. Whether it was through free agency or trade, the Maple Leafs management tried to find the right player to play alongside these great players, and none quite clicked. They had their ups and downs, but at the end of the day, their time in Toronto ended, and the cycle of finding the next player continued. It looks like it might end with Knies.

Knies saw more than 50 minutes on the power play last season and tallied two assists. This season, he could see a similar role on the secondary power play as he continues to improve and get more minutes when needed. Having prior work experience is a huge confidence booster. With the addition of new head coach Craig Berube, it will be interesting to see how he sees the Knies play and utilize the growing wing player in their game plan.

Logan Cooley – Utah Hockey Club

After an impressive rookie season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Logan Cooley signed his entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes. Last season, in 82 games, Cooley scored 20 goals and added 24 assists to finish seventh on the team in points. He played a lot with Lawson Crouse and Dylan Guenther, a combined 193 minutes in 21 games last season. That line had a 46.7% field goal percentage as Cooley and Guenther built great chemistry together throughout the season.

With a clear position in the top power play group, his offensive production could increase this season if he is paired with the likes of Guenther, Clayton Keller, and possibly Josh Doan if he sees time with the top unit. The 5-foot-10, 174-pound forward has thrived in relief situations, with nine of his 13 points coming on the power play in his first 20 games.

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As Cooley grows, so does the team. Young players such as Guenther, Matias Maccelli, and Barrett Hayton are all developing chemistry, along with new first-round pick Tij Iginla, who has joined the organization. The team also improved their blue line this offseason with the additions of John Marino and Mikhail Sergachev. Utah’s first season will be exciting, with new players and prospects ready to build a new culture in Salt Lake City.

Simon Nemec – New Jersey Devils

Last season was a disappointment for the New Jersey Devils – injuries, poor play, and poor goaltending followed a season that saw them make a strong playoff run and give them hope for the future. After a busy offseason that saw them load up their blue line and bring in an all-star goaltender in Jacob Markston, Simon Nemec could play a role in this development. In 60 games, Nemec scored three goals and added 16 assists while averaging over 19 minutes of ice time per game. The Devils have a talented blue line and more prospects in their system. While many have been attracted to the development of Luke Hughes, many have turned their eyes away from the “jack of all trades” skills of Nemec.

He relies on his offensive ability and powerful shooting to contribute on the score sheet. At 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, he may not be the tallest defender, but he makes good use of his sharp stick-checking skills. protecting and stripping pucks. Despite his average frame, he is a smart defender who can outrun opponents one by one. He uses his wand to check the ability to create transition plays and initiate offensive attacks. If you look at his performance last season, it is clear that he has a lot to show as he grows in confidence with age. Nemec’s partner last season was Jonas Siegenthaler, but with Dougie Hamilton coming back from a long injury, expect Nemec’s new partner to be Brenden Dillon. Dillon should help Nemec increase his offensive output and become more efficient with the puck while having a reliable defensive partner.

Every NHL team hopes that their young prospects will develop into draft players. The higher the selection, the more likely you are to produce quickly, but you need to see annual growth both internally and externally. These teams have goals this season, and they want to see growth in these players to ensure they are competitive now and in the future.