10 NHLers poised to be breakout stars in 2024-25

Just as a clean breakout is a key element to success over the course of a game, breakout players are critical to team success over the course of an 82-game season. Stanley Cup hopes rise and fall not just on the backs of superstars, but also on teammates who are up to the challenge.

You won't find the obvious candidates here. That means no Dylan Guenther, not on a $50 million contract, and no Lane Hutson or Macklin Celebrini — all of whom appear poised to take the league by storm.

Here are 10 players who will be breakout stars in the 2024-25 NHL season:

The rookies

CAL RITCHIE
Right wing, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 19
Last year: 50 GP, 28 G, 52 A, 82 Pts (OHL)
Seravalli sees: 75 GP, 15 G, 34 A, 49 points
Scoop: In a year with a serious stock market crisis, Ritchie could be exactly what Dr. MacFarland ordered in Denver. Ritchie is poised to go straight from Oshawa to the NHL as one of the brightest prospects in the game. The 2023 No. 27 overall pick learned to be more than just a creative scorer and transform into a versatile two-way player. There are no gaps in his game. He can outsmart opponents. Ritchie took all of his junior teammates to new levels, and now he'll rely on the Avs' veterans to show him where he'll adapt quickly.

ZACHARY L’HEUREUX
Left wing, Nashville Predators
Age: 21
Last year: 66 GP, 19 G, 29 A, 48 points
Seravalli sees: 77 GP, 13 G, 22 A, 35 Pts
Scoop: Meet the new player your team loves to hate. There's no one in the prospect pool as good as L'Heureux, who literally terrified opponents in the Calder Cup playoffs last year for the Milwaukee Admirals. L'Heureux can do everything. He can score, he can dish out and he can fight. Given all of their new additions, it's a very different Nashville roster to crack this year, but it's hard not to see the Preds adding this unique disruptor.

Keep an eye on it: Mavrik Bourque, Dallas Stars

The second year students

SIMON EDVINSSON
Left defense, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 21
Last year: 16 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 pts
Seravalli sees: 70 GP, 3 G, 15 A, 18 Pts
Scoop: Without making too bold a prediction, Edvinsson is already the Wings' second-best defender behind only Moritz Seider. It's been a methodical progression from Grands Rapids to Motown, with a taste of the NHL in each of the last two seasons. But it was just a taste. Edvinsson is ready for more. He may not be a significant point producer at the NHL level, but the 6-foot-2, 2021 No. 6 pick has a powerful shot and moves really well for a huge man. He should chew 20 minutes a night this season.

BRAND CLARKE
Right defense, Los Angeles Kings
Age: 21
Last year: 16 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 pts
Seravalli sees: 81 GP, 10 G, 32 A, 42 Pts
Scoop: Clarke was selected two spots behind Edvinsson in 2021 and the Kings have waited patiently for the Ottawa native to take over. Oddly enough, both Clarke and Edvinsson have played the exact same number of NHL games in the last two seasons (nine and 16, respectively), but their games are completely different. Clarke is not a shy violet at 1.90 meters, but he is an extremely creative defender. He has visions, attitude and awareness that make him a threat. With Drew Doughty off the ice during Thursday's preseason with a leg injury, the Kings will likely need fellow right-shooter Clarke to step into a key puck-handling role right away.

CONNOR ZARY
Left wing, Calgary Flames
Age: 23
Last year: 63 GP, 14 G, 20 A, 34 points
Seravalli sees: 80 GP, 22 G, 43 A, 65 Pts
Scoop: There's no doubt it was an impressive training camp for Zary, who looks ready to take the next step and avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. Although he naturally leans toward the center, Zary was impressive on the flank. No reason to beep with joy. It works. There weren't many breaks in his season last year. He had six multi-point games, meaning he collected at least one point in almost half (28) of his 63 games. Zary could easily do double this year if he's at the top of Ryan Huska's lineup card.

TY EMBERSON
Right defense, Edmonton Oilers
Age: 24
Last year: 30 GP, 1 G, 9 A, 10 points
Seravalli sees: 71 GP, 8 G, 14 A, 22 Pts
Scoop: Looking at the numbers, Emberson actually had a strong rookie season with the Sharks in limited action. Aside from the shots he averages per game, Emberson completes a good first pass – which should be priority No. 1 for any Edmonton blueliner who has the forwards on their roster. Emberson may not be a household name, but he played for Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch in AHL Hartford two seasons ago. This is a player that Knoblauch knows and trusts. It's a tall order to replace Cody Ceci and Philip Broberg all at once, but Emberson is up to the task.

OLEN ZELLWEGER
Left defense, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 21
Last year: 26 GP, 2 G, 7 A, 9 pts
Seravalli sees: 74 GP, 10 G, 18 A, 28 Pts
Scoop: There is nothing left for Zellweger to achieve in the AHL. He proved last season that he can dominate even as a rookie. Zellweger, the 2023 CHL Defenseman of the Year, may not be particularly tall at 5-foot-10, but he's such an effortless skater that he'll turn your head. He can also play on the right side, adding to his versatility in Greg Cronin's lineup. His elevation to a full-time role this season will make the Ducks' eventual departure of Cam Fowler much more palatable.