Three former top-5 picks are primed for breakout seasons
There has been a ton of change across the NHL this off-season with players we didn't think would change teams or go to the team they did via trade or signing. With so much change, that means fresh starts for some and more responsibility for others. With that being said, let's take a look at three forwards that are primed to have breakout seasons.
Dylan Strome - Washington Capitals
When the Washington Capitals made the announcement that top line center Nicklas Backstrom's season was in jeopardy, they suddenly became very thin down the middle of the ice. Sure, Evgeny Kuznetsov is still an option, but beyond Kuznetsov, the Caps lacked anyone who could adequately fill a top-six C role. In former 3rd overall pick (2015) Dylan Strome, they found just that. With Tom Wilson out of the lineup for at least the first half of the season after having his ACL reconstructed, the Caps also brought in winger Connor Brown from the Ottawa Senators - so Strome will likely be playing with two of T.J. Oshie, Anthony Mantha or the aforementioned Brown. However, if he finds himself with any opportunities at all to play with Alexander Ovechkin, that's where his value could really spike. His career-high 48 points came last season playing on a brutal Chicago Blackhawks team. The Capitals are a much better hockey team and Strome has a real chance to be a part of a potent offense and smash his previous career best.
Kirby Dach - Montreal Canadiens
Kirby Dach's short tenure in Chicago was far from memorable, posting just 26 points last season in 70 games and missing all but 18 games the season prior. At the time he was drafted third overall in 2019, Dach was pegged to be part of the next generation taking over for the aging Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Unfortunately, new Hawks' GM Kyle Davidson decided to do a complete rebuild and strip the Hawks of essentially every roster player, including young ones like Dach and Alex DeBrincat. Dach was traded to the Habs at the 2022 draft and recently signed a 4-year extension with the team. At 6'5, Dach is the big-bodied center the Habs have longed for. Dach still has a long runway in terms of development at age 21, but being coached by Martin St. Louis should help his cause. Just look at how well Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki played and developed under him the 2nd half of last season. The Habs won't have to play Dach against top lines and have enough center depth that they can move him to the wing if need be. Dach has the size and skill to be a dominant power forward, although his footspeed does need some work. It wouldn't be surprising to see Dach reach the 20 goal mark or crack 40 points with the Habs this season, but there is potential for much more.
Alexis Lafreniere - New York Rangers
A first overall pick in 2020, Alexis Lafreniere's first two seasons in New York have been underwhelming to say the least. His playoff performance last season was good this year, however, being deployed in a third line role. He showed flashes of his skillset, but was also up to the challenge of becoming more defensively responsible and physical. So much so, that he was fifth in forwards on the Rangers in the playoffs with 2.35 shots blocked per 60 minutes. With the Rangers losing both Ryan Strome and deadline acquisition Andrew Copp to free agency, Lafreniere could vault himself into a top six role as long as he has a strong training camp. Having put up 19 goals and 31 points last season, 50 points isn't out of reach for the 21 year-old. Not to mention, it is also a contract year as he enters the final year of his entry-level deal. We see it more often than not where a player in a contract year usually produces at a higher rate to prove they are worth more money. If Lafreniere hits 50 points, that will be considered a win and another step in the right direction, but we all know he's capable of much, much more. I'm going out on a limb here and suggesting we could see a 25-goal, 70-point season from the young playmaker if he sees the majority of his ice time in a top-six role.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 8 | 264 ANSWERS Three former top-5 picks are primed for breakout seasons Which of these three former top-5 picks will enjoy the most success in 2022-23? | ||
| Lafreniere | 125 | 47.3 % |
| Strome | 63 | 23.9 % |
| Dach | 76 | 28.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
