In the early goings of the NHL season, it has been very easy to get wrapped up in the incoming rookie class and what the established stars such as Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews are doing. They've all given us a lot to talk about already.
However, some of the most compelling seasons usually come from the "breakout players." Typically, these are players still on their entry-level deals or possibly on their second contract. The development curve certainly doesn't work the same way for every player, and it's far more common for a player to come into his own after a few years in the league. As the NHL continues to get younger, there are going to be even more players like this in the coming years.
Here's a look at some potential breakout candidates for this season.
Ivan Provorov, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 20 | Drafted: No. 7 overall, 2015
2016-17 NHL stats: 82 GP | 6 G | 24 A
I debated putting Provorov on this list, only because his rookie season was basically good enough to qualify as a breakout campaign: He put up 30 points while appearing in all 82 games last season. Provorov also finished the season with Philadelphia's highest average ice time, at nearly 22 minutes per game. It's fair to say he already has arrived -- but I think he'll have an even bigger season in 2017-18.
It seemed as though Provorov improved throughout last season, becoming an all-situations type of defenseman. There were some early struggles, but coach Dave Hakstol stuck with the rookie and let him grow into his game. It turns out the young Russian was a quick study. As the Flyers start turning things over to some of their other younger defensemen, including Robert Hagg, Travis Sanheim and Samuel Morin, they'll need to rely on Provorov even more. It's fair to expect a boost in both minutes and points for the 20-year-old defenseman.
Noah Hanifin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 20 | Drafted: No. 5 overall, 2015
2016-17 NHL stats: 81 GP | 4 G | 25 A
As the first defenseman taken in the loaded 2015 NHL draft, Hanifin came into the NHL with a lot of hype -- and rightfully so. The 20-year-old blueliner has essentially played two mostly sheltered and fairly average seasons so far. While he has been entirely adequate, there's reason to believe this will be the season Hanifin takes a giant leap and becomes yet another exceptional player in Carolina's supremely talented defensive corps.
Hanifin really saw his game start to take off when Carolina moved him into their top four following the trade of veteran Ron Hainsey to the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. Prior to that trade, the former fifth overall pick appeared in 55 games, posting 15 points while averaging 16:52 of ice time per night. In the 26 games after the trade, Hanifin was averaging over 20 minutes per night and had put up 14 points. He handled the added responsibility quite well.
While the post-trade situation offers a small sample, it was indicative of how he'll be used this season, as it appears he has a permanent place in the top four now. Whether it's with Justin Faulk or Brett Pesce on his right side, Hanifin is going to have a partner who can let him take more risks and get more engaged offensively. Expect him to be involved in a big way as the Hurricanes push for a playoff spot.
Andre Burakovsky, LW, Washington Capitals
Age: 22 | Drafted: No. 23 overall, 2013
2016-17 NHL stats: 64 GP | 12 G | 23 A
Burakovsky is entering his fourth season in the league. He has yet to top the 40-point mark, but he also hasn't been used quite like he is expected to be this season. As he did in the playoffs, Burakovsky is seeing time on a line with T.J. Oshie and one of the game's best playmaking centers in Nicklas Backstrom. That alone puts Burakovsky in the mix for a big season. But his points-per-game rate has been steadily building each season, and now we'll have a chance to see what he can do with more minutes. In 198 NHL games so far, Burakovsky has averaged about 13 minutes a game. Playing with Backstrom and Oshie, as well as seeing more consistent power-play time, should get him closer to 16 minutes per game. It's not a given he'll produce, but it's far more likely now.
The playoff series against the Penguins might have shown at least a little glimpse of what Burakovsky can do with an elevated role. In Washington's wins in Games 5 and 6 against the eventual Stanley Cup champs, Burakovsky had four points, including three goals -- all at even strength. Assuming coach Barry Trotz keeps the faith in the young winger, Burakovsky is well-positioned for a career-best season.
Nick Schmaltz, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 21 | Drafted: No. 20 overall, 2014
2016-17 NHL stats: 61 GP | 6 G | 22 A
Everyone knew Schmaltz had great hands and creativity when he entered the league last season. But questions remained about his ability to play center in the NHL. Despite improving defensively in his time at the University of North Dakota, it's still not a strength. However, give Schmaltz the right linemates and it can cover up the warts.
That appears to have happened already, as Chicago awarded Schmaltz a spot alongside Patrick Kane. In the first game of the season, Chicago's new second line, which also includes Ryan Hartman, accounted for 12 points, including a pair of goals from Schmaltz. Much like how Artemi Panarin thrived next to Kane, Schmaltz gives the former Hart Trophy winner a comparable linemate who can create for himself. The only things that could hold Schmaltz back is if he defers to Kane too much or his health (he already is sitting out some games following a rough hit against the Columbus Blue Jackets). The way Panarin played with Kane should be instructive for Schmaltz, even though they played different positions. Schmaltz can create a lot on his own, and he doesn't need to rely solely on Kane feeding him pucks, which should serve him well in his second NHL season.
Brayden Point, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 21 | Drafted: No. 79 overall, 2014
2016-17 NHL stats: 68 GP | 18 G | 22 A
Perhaps you'd consider the Calgary native's 40 points in 68 games last season as a breakout performance, but based on the attention he has received -- or lack thereof -- he deserves a mention. With five points in the first two games of this season, there's a better chance you're going to hear about him a lot more.
Despite such an overall disappointing season in Tampa Bay in 2016-17, Point was a real bright spot. That was especially true late in the campaign when coach Jon Cooper started giving Point more responsibility and more ice time. Unsurprisingly, the production followed. From mid-March to the end of the season, Point was averaging more than 21 minutes a game. He had 16 points in his last 15 contests, including nine goals. Now, he's picking up right where he left off.
Michael Matheson, D, Florida Panthers
Age: 23 | Drafted: No. 23 overall, 2012
2016-17 NHL stats: 81 GP | 7 G | 10 A
The Panthers just handed Matheson a contract like he has already broken out, indicating they're even more bullish on his potential than I am. Matheson, who has appeared in 86 total NHL games in three seasons, signed an eight-year extension with a $4.875 million annual cap hit. It's a big reward for a player with a small NHL sample, but this appears to be a gamble worth taking.
Matheson, 23, was a top-four defenseman in his first full NHL season in 2016-17, as he averaged over 21 minutes per game. He had decent numbers -- with 17 points in 81 games, including seven goals -- but there's reason to believe those numbers will go up, especially if the Panthers can stay healthy this season.
The one stat that stands out is that Matheson ranked 22nd in shots on goal among defensemen, with 179. His peers in that category last season include Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, Victor Hedman and his teammate Keith Yandle. Getting that many pucks to the net takes a certain amount of offensive ability. Now, he just needs to find a way to get more of them past the goalie. As a highly mobile, smart defenseman, the best is yet to come for Matheson and the Panthers.
Christian Dvorak, C, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 21 | Drafted: No. 58 overall, 2014
2016-17 NHL stats: 78 GP | 15 G | 18 A
It took Dvorak a little time to find his footing in the NHL last season after a truly stellar career in the OHL with the London Knights. In junior hockey, he played on a line alongside Matthew Tkachuk and Mitch Marner while co-captaining the team to the Memorial Cup, which really seemed to raise the level of expectations on him as a 20-year-old rookie coming into the league.
Once things started clicking, however, they really started clicking. Oddly enough, it appeared the turning point came on his 21st birthday on Feb. 2. He had a pair of points against Chicago that night. In the final 33 games of the season, Dvorak led the team with 11 goals and was fourth on the roster with 20 points. It's probably not safe to project Dvorak's production within that smaller sample to become the norm (his shooting percentage was 21.1 percent in that stretch), but the Coyotes clearly have a lot of faith in him, as he's now the No. 2 center, behind Derek Stepan. Dvorak is going to get an opportunity to prove he can be a producer for this team, and based on what we saw at the end of last season, I like his chances to do just that.
Kevin Labanc, LW, San Jose Sharks
Age: 21 | Drafted: No. 171 overall, 2014
2016-17 NHL stats: 55 GP | 8 G | 12 A
A big offseason question for the Sharks revolved around who to slot in with Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton on the top line. The answer, at least for now, has been Labanc. He rewarded coach Peter DeBoer for that decision with a pair of goals in the team's opener. It wasn't all great for Labanc in his season debut, as he took three minor penalties, one of which led to Philadelphia's eventual game-winning goal.
Aside from the penalty mistakes, Labanc has shown the skill level to hang with San Jose's superstars. He can be slippery, he has a good release and he has produced at every level. In his final two seasons with the OHL's Barrie Colts, Labanc put up 234 points in 133 games. He averaged a point-per-game in the AHL last season, and he had a respectable 20 points in 55 games with the Sharks as a rookie. If he can keep his spot on the Sharks' top line, we should see this high level of production continue for the former sixth-round pick.
Others to watch:
Anthony Mantha, LW, Detroit Red Wings
Pavel Buchnevich, RW, New York Rangers
Brendan Perlini, LW, Arizona Coyotes
Ondrej Kase, LW, Anaheim Ducks
Esa Lindell, D, Dallas Stars