NHL Breakout Players – Atlantic Division Pt. I 

With NHL training camps opening last week and the regular season less than a month away, the 32 clubs are looking for young breakout players after their time playing in Europe, the NCAA, or the AHL to make their mark in the big show. For contending clubs, finding players on their entry-level contracts is essential to stay under the $83.5 million salary cap, while rebuilding teams are looking for youngsters as potential building blocks. 

We begin our look at the possible NHL breakout players from the Atlantic Division: 

Boston Bruins 

Fabian Lysell – The Bruins 2021 first-round pick chose to leave Sweden in favor of the WHL two years ago, and played a full season with AHL Providence, setting himself up to challenge for an NHL roster spot in training camp.

John Beecher – The big center was drafted at the end of the first round in 2019 and spent three years at the University of Michigan before turning pro. Beecher’s offensive production was better in the AHL than in college and with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retiring, he could get an NHL look if the Bruins replacements do not succeed. 

Buffalo Sabres  

Matthew Savoie – The Sabres top pick in 2022 scored 95 points last season with the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice, and ordinarily, the next step would be a year in the AHL, but Savoie’s birthday is one day over the cutoff for not having to go back to junior. It is likely that Buffalo will keep the 19-year-old around until at least December in hopes of him earning an NHL spot. 

Devon Levi – The 21-year-old goalie has a fantastic resume, winning two Mike Richter Awards for the best NCAA goalie, top goaltender at the 2022 World Junior, and going 5-2-0 after leaving Northeastern for the Sabres. The question yet to be answered is will being the club’s primary starter is too much too soon. 

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Detroit Red Wings  

Simon Edvinsson – A Swedish defenseman with a big wingspan, Edvinsson was selected sixth overall in 2021 and played a full year in the SHL before coming to North America. Last season, the 20-year-old scored 27 points with Grand Rapids and got a nine-game look with the Wings, but GM Steve Yzerman’s loading up with veteran blueliners may delay his road to regular NHL playing time. 

Marco Kasper – The Austrian-born Kasper played most of the year with Rogle of the SHL and finished the season making his NHL debut. It does not seem that the Wings are following their normal practice of over-patience with the 19-year-old, who could start the season in Detroit with a great camp.   

Florida Panthers  

Mackie Samoskevich – Florida’s last first round until the turn of the century (or at least it seems that way), Samoskevich was second in goal scoring behind Hobey Baker winner Adam Fantilli on a powerhouse Michigan Wolverine squad before turning pro and playing in the Calder Cup Playoffs for Charlotte. The Panthers may be in need of an infusion of youth.   

Spencer Knight – The 2019 top pick seemed well on his way to supplanting Sergei Bobrovsky, but Knight’s career was sidetracked after entering the NHL/NHLPA’s Players Assistance program last season. The 22-year-old appears to be past his OCD issues and will resume challenging for playing time.