Can a superstar still be a breakout player?

We ask because Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel looks like he'll obliterate his career high in goals (36) while skating with Ivan Barbashev and the newly acquired Mitch Marner this season -- a line with incredible chemistry already at the start of the season.

But ultimately, a superstar can't be a breakout player. That's reserved for players who are known but not yet household names. Or players we've been waiting to see blossom since their draft year. Or the rookies embarking on their first full season of service, ready to make an unexpected impact.

Here are 30 NHL players poised for a breakout in 2025-26, organized into tiers that explain the circumstances surrounding their potential emergence. Enjoy!

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