Thirty NHL players across five tiers are poised for breakout in 2025-26, driven by fresh scenery, new linemates, and a mix of veterans peaking and youngsters ready to explode. The standout example is Jack Eichel with Vegas, likely eclipsing his career high on a high-scoring line with Ivan Barbashev and Mitch Marner, signaling fantasy gains on line chemistry and power-play duty. The tiered framework—New scenery, New sidekicks, Young star to superstar, The wait is over, and Rookie sensations—maps concrete paths to fantasy upside, guiding draft targets and in-season pivots.

From Matias Maccelli in Toronto to Cutter Gauthier and Jackson LaCombe in Anaheim, the list blends established players and unheralded shooters who could vault into elite territory. Expect shifts in top-line roles, increased power-play exposure, and productive lines that unlock production and value for fantasy managers as the season unfolds. The piece translates this potential into actionable targets and bold projections for 2025-26.

For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: identify changes that unlock minutes, PP time, and linemate synergy, then chase players positioned for incremental but meaningful surges. The forecast emphasizes context—system fits, role changes, and opportunity—over raw talent alone, offering a blueprint to outperform conventional draft expectations.

The Ducks reshaped their path by shedding past faces, adding veterans like Kreider and Granlund, and leaning on a homegrown core of Carlsson, McTavish, Zellweger, LaCombe and Terry. Verbeek and Madden built a high-upside drafting plan anchored by veterans, while Quenneville’s return brings a proven, education-focused coach. A playoff push sits within reach, with sustainable growth the goal.

A eight-year deal for Jackson LaCombe anchors Anaheim’s blue line through the mid 2020s, backing a young core that already produced 43 points in 75 games last season. The Ducks are betting on his two-way game and continued development to fuel a competitive rise in Orange County.

With Mason McTavish locking in a six-year extension and Seattle looming as the opening opponent, Anaheim signals long-term commitment to a fast-rising nucleus. Pat Verbeek emphasized building from the back, setting a roadmap for a durable, defense-first foundation that can spark sustained offensive growth.

LaCombe signed an eight-year, $72 million extension with the Ducks at 9 million AAV, the largest in franchise history, starting in 2026-27. The deal cements him as a cornerstone on Anaheim’s blue line alongside Radko Gudas as the team rebuilds toward a playoff push.

McTavish followed with a six-year, $42 million extension, and LaCombe’s 60 points in 148 games last season—paired with Gudas—boost his fantasy ceiling. With Worlds gold in 2025 and Olympic potential for 2026, LaCombe projects as a top-four anchor and PP option as Anaheim targets a postseason return.