Predicting the next wave of NHL breakout stars

One thing became clear when compiling our NHL breakout tiers for the 2026-27 season: The future is extraordinarily bright. Like staring at the exposed bulb of a powerful floor lamp. Like opening up the blackout curtains straight into the morning sun. That kind of bright. This season features a deep rookie class that is poised to make an immediate impact, as well as a few dozen young players ready to make the leap to stardom. But our tiers also honor a handful of veterans who should see their fortunes change thanks to new environments and linemates.