The NHL's early season breakout players in 2026-27

The 2026-27 NHL season is still in its early stages, but several young players are already making their presence felt across the league. 

While established superstars continue to dominate the headlines, a handful of former first-round picks are beginning to take significant steps forward in their development.

Every season, there are players expected to take that next step, but not everyone lives up to the hype. However, four former first-round selections are off to impressive starts and showing signs that this could be the year they reach another level.

Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets

It feels like every season, Cole Perfetti enters the year as a popular breakout candidate. The talent has always been there, but injuries, inconsistent production and fluctuating opportunities have prevented the former first-round pick from truly taking that next step. 

However, this season feels different. Through six games, Perfetti has already recorded five goals and three assists for eight points, putting him on pace for easily the best season of his young NHL career. One of the biggest differences has been his increased opportunity in Winnipeg's lineup. Perfetti is now playing alongside Mark Scheifele, giving him the chance to develop chemistry with one of the Jets' most productive offensive players. 

Additionally, Perfetti has secured a spot on Winnipeg's first power-play unit, providing him with more opportunities to capitalize on his offensive abilities. He's also averaging a career-high 18:38 of ice time per game, a significant indication of the coaching staff's growing confidence in his game. 

The 24-year-old has always possessed impressive offensive instincts and playmaking ability, but he's now showing a greater willingness to shoot the puck and become a more consistent goal-scoring threat. It's still early, but after years of expectations surrounding a potential breakout, Perfetti finally looks ready to deliver.

Alexis Lafreniere, New York Rangers

Alexis Lafreniere is another former first-round pick who has faced enormous expectations since entering the NHL. The 2020 first overall selection has already established himself as a productive top-six forward, including a career-high 57-point campaign. 

While some might argue that Lafreniere has already experienced his breakout season, his current pace suggests he could be taking an even bigger step forward. Through eight games, Lafreniere has erupted for seven goals (two on the power play) and 10 points while averaging 19:08 of ice time per game, emerging as one of the Rangers' most dangerous offensive weapons.

New York has gotten off to an impressive 6-2 start, and Lafreniere has been a major reason for that success. His increased offensive confidence has been particularly noticeable. Rather than relying on established stars to generate opportunities, Lafreniere is creating scoring chances himself and showing the ability to take over games. 

He's playing with more assertiveness, attacking scoring areas and demonstrating the finishing ability that made him such a highly regarded prospect entering the league. If he can maintain anything close to his current pace, this season could represent a much bigger breakout than anything we've seen from him previously.

Mason McTavish, St. Louis Blues

Sometimes, a change of scenery is exactly what a young player needs to unlock another level of production. That appears to be the case for Mason McTavish, who is enjoying an impressive start to his first season with the St. Louis Blues following his departure from the Anaheim Ducks.

The former third overall selection has registered four goals and three assists for seven points through six games, establishing himself as an important part of St. Louis' forward group.

McTavish has been particularly effective around the net, using his size, physicality and offensive instincts to create scoring opportunities. His willingness to battle for loose pucks and establish positioning in high-danger areas has made him a difficult player for opposing defenders to contain.

He's also receiving valuable power-play opportunities, allowing him to take advantage of his strong shot and ability to generate offense in tight spaces. McTavish recently delivered his best performance of the young season, recording two goals and an assist in the Blues' 7-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

At just 23 years old, McTavish still has plenty of room to grow, and his early production suggests St. Louis could be the ideal environment for him to take the next step.

Vasily Podkolzin, Edmonton Oilers

Sometimes, all a player needs is the right opportunity, and Vasily Podkolzin is certainly making the most of his in Edmonton. The former Vancouver Canucks first-round pick has gotten off to a remarkable start, recording seven goals and nine points through just six games.

Podkolzin has benefited significantly from injuries to Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, which have opened the door for him to play alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on Edmonton's top line. He's also earned a spot on the Oilers' first power-play unit, allowing him to play alongside some of the NHL's most dangerous offensive players.

However, while playing with McDavid and Draisaitl certainly helps, Podkolzin deserves plenty of credit for taking advantage of the opportunity.

The 25-year-old is playing with tremendous confidence, finding open areas of the ice and consistently putting himself in positions to score. His physical style also complements Edmonton's superstar forwards, allowing him to create space and capitalize on scoring chances. Podkolzin most recently recorded two goals in Edmonton's 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, continuing his impressive early season production.

What's particularly interesting is what happens when Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins eventually return to the lineup. Both players have traditionally occupied important offensive roles in Edmonton, but removing Podkolzin from the top line or first power-play unit could become an increasingly difficult decision if he continues producing at this rate. After all, how do you justify taking a player out of those positions when he's performing this well?

Podkolzin has never surpassed 37 points in a season, but his incredible start suggests he could shatter that mark if he continues receiving significant offensive opportunities. Whether he maintains this scoring pace remains to be seen, but Podkolzin has already made a compelling case to remain in an elevated role even when Edmonton returns to full health.