Despite the shutting down of all hockey seasons, a number of prospects really stood out and helped surpass previous expectations over the course of the incomplete season.
We take a look at one prospect from each organization who broke out, performing at a high enough level to build some capital within their organizations, improve their projections and make more believers in their potential. Who really rose on each team's pipeline rankings? Here are the top breakout prospects from all 31 franchises, led by our Breakout Prospect of the Year, Adam Beckman.
Jump to a team:
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI
COL | CBJ | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA
LA | MIN | MTL | NSH | NJ | NYI
NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL
TB | TOR | VAN | VGS | WSH | WPG
Minnesota Wild
Breakout Prospect of the Year
Adam Beckman, LW, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
If there is a team littered with breakouts all over the organization, it's the Wild. Several of their prospects put up spectacular seasons, far surpassing what was expected. From former college free-agent signing Sam Anas leading the AHL in scoring to Alexander Khovanov absolutely going off in the QMJHL and at the World Junior Championship, there has been no shortage of quality performances.
But one prospect really took off. Beckman, selected 75th overall in the 2019 draft, stood out offensively for Spokane. In 63 games, the 18-year-old winger led the WHL with 48 goals and 107 points -- nine more than the next closest player. Perhaps Beckman's most staggering statistic was his 316 shots on goal (139 more than he took over 68 games in the previous season).
I'm not afraid to admit when I miss on a prospect, and I completely whiffed on Beckman heading into last year's draft. He had 62 points for Spokane in 2018-19 and I had enough questions about his skating that he did not make my top 100 draft rankings. One area I underestimated was just how smart he is on the ice, which makes up for the lack of higher-end feet (though I do think his skating improved this season). Beckman navigates the offensive zone well, finding quiet areas and using his solid frame to get to the middle of the ice with relative ease. His shot is particularly strong and his ability to get into good spots to use it is a big reason his counting stats went up this season.
I don't want to tell Wild fans they have an absolute superstar here. I think it's still a bit early, and in all likelihood, Beckman has another year in the WHL before he can take the next step. But there's clear pro upside.
And now the other 30 teams' biggest breakouts...
Anaheim Ducks
Lukas Dostal, G, Ilves (Liiga)
Dostal bounced around the various levels in Czech hockey before landing in Finland where he was able to get big minutes. In 2019-20, he appeared in 43 games for Ilves, posting a .928 save percentage, best among primary starters in Liiga play.
Arizona Coyotes
Jan Jenik, LW, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
Jenik was always a tougher prospect for me to get a read on because he clearly had tools and some skill, but it never materialized on a consistent basis. But this season, he couldn't be stopped until a knee injury derailed his season at the World Juniors. In 27 games with Hamilton, he averaged more than two points per game.
Boston Bruins
Jeremy Swayman, G, Maine (Hockey East)
Swayman already was a really good goalie, but what he did this season was particularly special. While facing more shots than any other college goalie in the country, Swayman had the Black Bears on track to reach the NCAA tournament largely on his own play. He won the Mike Richter Award as the best goalie in men's college hockey.
Buffalo Sabres
Jonas Johansson, G, Rochester Americans (AHL)
On the normal gradual development path of most goalies, Johansson had his most successful season in North America with a .921 save percentage in 22 AHL games. He also earned a call-up to the Sabres, playing in six games in.
Calgary Flames
Dmitri Zavgorodniy, LW, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
Playing with Alexis Lafreniere, one of the best prospects in hockey, is nice, but Zavgorodniy has shifty skill and helped maximize the potential of that line. His 1.68 points per game ranked fifth in the QMJHL.
Carolina Hurricanes
Jack Drury, C, Harvard (ECAC)
There were a few good Carolina candidates for this list, but Drury took massive steps on offense as a sophomore at Harvard. He scored 20 goals and 39 points in 28 games and also played a key role on USA's World Junior team.
Chicago Blackhawks
Alec Regula, D, London Knights (OHL)
Acquired in a trade with the Red Wings, Regula scored 27 goals to lead all OHL defensemen. His goal total was inflated a bit by his role on London's potent power play in more of a net-front/bumper role, but Regula rounded out more offensive aspects in his game.
Colorado Avalanche
Justus Annunen, G, Karpat (Liiga)
In his first year getting semiregular starts at the pro level, Annunen posted the best save percentage in Liiga at .929. On top of his excellent pro campaign, he was incredible at the World Juniors, as Finland finished fourth.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Tyler Angle, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
A good mix of skill and work ethic allowed Angle to take his game up a notch, posting a career-best 67 points -- 23 more than his previous career high. Taken 212th overall in last summer's draft, Angle was an offensive leader for Windsor.
Dallas Stars
Dawson Barteaux, D, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
The 2018 sixth-round pick had a career year, posting highs in goals (10), assists (32) and points (42) between Red Deer and Winnipeg.
Detroit Red Wings
Antti Tuomisto, D, Assat U20 (Liiga-Jr. A)
The 2019 second-round pick was named best defenseman and MVP of Finland's top junior league after averaging more than a point a game. He probably could have played pro this season in Finland, but maintained his NCAA eligibility and will join the University of Denver next season.
Edmonton Oilers
Raphael Lavoie, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
There weren't a ton of options for the Oilers, so Lavoie gets the nod after putting together another dominant season in the QMJHL. I think he showed more consistency, and he had 38 goals and 80 points, making him the highest-scoring Oilers prospect.
Florida Panthers
John Ludvig, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
A third-round pick as a second-year eligible last year, Ludvig's season-to-season points progression is the most stunning of any player on this list. After registering just 18 points in 58 games in 2018-19, he had 62 in 60 while captaining Portland in 2019-20 and was a first-team Western Conference All-Star in the WHL.
Los Angeles Kings
Cole Hults, D, Penn State (Big Ten)
Up for Big Ten Player of the Year, Hults had his best collegiate season and dominated games for the conference's regular-season champion. Hults was a second-team All-American and a force at both ends of the ice, posting a career-best 30-point season.
Montreal Canadiens
Cam Hillis, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)
After injuries limited Hillis' 2018-19 campaign, he absolutely went off in 2019-20 as Guelph's captain. His tenacity aids his skill level and allowed him to put up 83 points, tied for 12th in the OHL.
Nashville Predators
David Farrance, D, Boston University (Hockey East)
With one of the more striking seasons in college hockey, Farrance earned first-team All-America honors while leading all NCAA defensemen with 43 points -- 23 more than his total from the previous season. He scored 14 goals. He will return to BU for his senior season, opening the door for potential free agency if he opts not to sign with Nashville next offseason.
New Jersey Devils
Tyce Thompson, RW, Providence (Hockey East)
Thompson had a good enough freshman season in 2018-19 to be drafted as a second-year eligible, but he went off as a sophomore. He was among the top goal scorers in the nation with 19 and tied for third in the NCAA with 44 points, showcasing higher-end offensive sense and playmaking skills.
New York Islanders
Cole Coskey, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Drafted 209th overall as a third-year eligible last year, Coskey maintained his upward trajectory with an 80-point season in the OHL, including career bests in goals (34) and assists (46).
New York Rangers
Lauri Pajuniemi, RW, TPS (Liiga)
After scoring just 13 points a season ago, Pajuniemi tied for the most points (40) by a player in Liiga age 21 or younger. His 26 goals tied for the third most in the league.
Ottawa Senators
Jonathan Gruden, C, London Knights (OHL)
After struggling to find his footing in college hockey with just 15 points in 38 games in 2018-19, Gruden jumped to one of the OHL's top teams and managed to be a major contributor with 30 goals and 36 assists while maintaining his gritty, two-way play.
Philadelphia Flyers
Wyatte Wylie, D, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Playing in his last season with his hometown junior team, Wylie had his best one yet in the WHL with 64 points in 62 games, including 14 goals. The 2018 fifth-rounder earned a contract from the Flyers, likely sending him to the AHL in 2020-21.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Valtteri Puustinen, LW, HPK (Liiga)
Drafted in the seventh round in the 2019 draft, Puustinen had just 13 points in Liiga in 2018-19. But he hit the 40-point mark this season with HPK, tying him with fellow breakout prospect Lauri Pajuniemi (Rangers) for most points in the league by a player under 21.
San Jose Sharks
John Leonard, LW, UMass (Hockey East)
Overshadowed by teammate Cale Makar in 2018-19, Leonard was the offensive catalyst for UMass and an All-American in 2019-20. He scored 27 goals to lead the NCAA and pretty much put the team on his back for the last few weeks of the season, likely putting the Minutemen in the NCAA tournament had it not been canceled.
St. Louis Blues
Joel Hofer, G, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
He didn't exactly come out of nowhere, but 2019-20 was a dream season for Hofer. The 2018 fourth-round pick had his best WHL season with a .915 save percentage in 48 appearances. And his best moment came when he backstopped Canada to gold and earned best goaltender honors in the World Junior Championship.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Cole Koepke, RW, Minnesota Duluth (NCHC)
A second-team All-American, Koepke was on pace to double his freshman season scoring total this year for defending national champion UMD. He can do a little bit of everything and added more offense while playing a key role on one of the best teams in the NCAA.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Mikhail Abramov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
A fourth-round pick last year, the gifted two-way center scored with more regularity this season, with 35 goals -- 19 more than his previous season's total. Nobody on his team was within 35 points of his 76 this season.
Vancouver Canucks
Brogan Rafferty, D, Utica Comets (AHL)
After signing as an undrafted college free agent last season, I'm not sure anyone could have predicted how well Rafferty's first pro season would go. He led AHL rookie defensemen with 45 points in 57 games and was third overall among league blueliners, marking the highest points-per-game total he has logged.
Vegas Golden Knights
Jiri Patera, G, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Patera enjoyed his best season of three in North America, posting a .921 save percentage in 41 appearances. He was named a first-team All-Star in the WHL's Eastern Conference and may be elbowing his way into a loftier position on the Golden Knights' organization's goaltending depth chart.
Washington Capitals
Alexei Protas, C, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
The big, skilled Belarusian doubled his points total and added 21 more goals over his previous season for Prince Albert. Protas' 31 goals and 80 points made him the highest-scoring non-Canadian in the WHL.
Winnipeg Jets
Declan Chisholm, D, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
A gifted puck-mover and one of the better skaters in the OHL, Chisholm finished third among league defensemen with 69 points. He was tied for second with 56 assists.