NHL Atlantic Division: Each team’s breakout candidate

Boston Bruins – Jake DeBrusk

The Boston Bruins have become excellent at growing their own talent. From multiple Stanley Cup runs to transitioning to the next era, the Bruins always seem to find the perfect players for their system. Jake DeBrusk is one of those players.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and drafted 14th overall in 2015, DeBrusk brings a strong two-way game ready for the NHL level. On top of that, his growing offensive skills make him an interesting breakout candidate heading into the 2018-19 season.

Apart from skill, DeBrusk likes to win. Dating back to his last two years of AAA hockey, he has never missed the playoffs. He finished his junior career with the Red Deer Rebels, after being traded by the Swift Current Broncos, and went a point-per-game in 17 playoff games with his new team.

At the AHL level, DeBrusk played just one season, and scored 19 goals with 49 assists in 74 games. He was given a full-time NHL gig last year, and amassed 16 goals and 27 assists in 70 games. More impressively, he played in 12 playoff games for the Bruins, scoring six goals and  two assists. This year, DeBrusk will get plenty of opportunity to improve on those numbers, and it would be no surprise to see career-highs across the board.

He is already off to a fine start this preseason.

The Bruins look like a playoff team, and even if DeBrusk doesn’t lead the team in scoring, he will surely make his mark in the regular season and, most likely, the playoffs.

Buffalo Sabres – Casey Mittelstadt

There may not be a better situation for Casey Mittelstadt. The Buffalo Sabres are praying for another strong center to play behind Jack Eichel and Mittelstadt could be just that. Patrik Berglund and Vladimir Sobotka are good third and fourth line centers, leaving a gaping hole on the second unit. With wingers like Jeff Skinner, Sam Reinhart, Conor Sheary, Kyle Okposo, and another budding prospect in Alex Nylander, Casey Mittelstadt has plenty of help to succeed.

Not only does he bring size, but his offensive instincts and overall hockey sense is something the Sabres need. He is creative and showed promise in his cameo last season. Playing in six games, Mittelstadt scored a goal with four assists.

Not only does he have a chance to lock down the second line center spot, but he is also a great candidate to center one of the Sabres’ powerplay units. As he continues to hone his offensive abilities at the NHL level, the help of experienced wingers with the man advantage will do wonders for his growth. Some may say this is rushing him, but he has the desire to win and has chosen to leave the University of Minnesota after his freshman season to try his luck in the NHL.

From a youthful breakout candidate perspective, Mittelstadt is not only the most interesting, but he is also the most likely. Fans and analysts alike are hoping for a strong showing from most of Sabres young talent, but Mittelstadt is a brand new face looking to make his mark.

Detroit Red Wings – Anthony Mantha

Anthony Mantha is leading a pack of new-age Detroit Red Wings ready to shine as the next generation. Dylan Larkin is growing into a great asset, while Andreas Athanasiou brings unprecedented speed to the Red Wings lineup.

However, there is something very special about Mantha, and you can see that the Red Wings are taking their very classic approach to his development.

Last season, Mantha played his first full year of NHL hockey on a disappointing Red Wings squad. He finished the campaign with 24 goals and 24 assists. Mantha was an absolute stud at the junior level, and had a great showing with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He went a point-per-game in 10 games in 2016-17 at the AHL level and never looked back.

He has been praised for his shot his whole career, but the underrated speed and hockey sense make him a very clever offensive player. On top of that, there is clear improvement in his defensive game and physicality. With all those assets, he is primed for a big season in 2018-19.

Mantha also brings the intangibles to the table. He is a strong presence on the ice and could be a leader in the Red Wings locker room for years to come. Even if the points do not come right away, Mantha has all the makings of a top line forward in the Red Wings system. As long as the opportunity continues to present itself, Mantha should grow into a franchise player for Detroit.

Florida Panthers – Henrik Borgstrom

Henrik Borgstrom is the highest-touted prospect in the Florida Panthers system. Denis Malgin is an underrated player who could take major leaps in his professional career, but there is something special about Borgstrom. He was drafted 23rd overall in 2016 and, at just 21 years old, has the size and smarts to excel immediately.

One of the main knocks on Borgstrom’s hockey career is his showing at the international level. Most European players, like Malgin, are able to showcase their skills at the U-20 World Junior Championships. For Borgstrom, it was junior hockey in Finland and the NCAA where he made his mark.

What makes him so special is his combination of skill and size coupled with a good mind for the game. He could squeeze into a top six role if any injuries or shake-ups occur, and should be able to see some offensive success with the quality of forwards on the Panthers roster.

After dominating the NCAA with the University of Denver, Borgstrom is well on his way to an NHL opportunity in 2018-19. If all goes well, he should be a dark horse candidate for the Calder Trophy by season’s end.

Montreal Canadiens – Jonathan Drouin

In terms of household names, Jonathan Drouin may already be in that boat. He was a highly-celebrated prospect prior to getting drafted by the Lightning, and made news after holding out out for a better opportunity elsewhere in the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens took the leap, and solidified a potential star in Drouin.

At the same time, Drouin has plenty to prove. After destroying the junior ranks alongside Nathan MacKinnon, Drouin never really found consistent success at the NHL. Add to the fact that the Canadiens used him primarily as a center last season, Drouin was totally out of place, and it showed. In 77 games, Drouin scored 13 goals with 33 assists. These totals are far below what people would have expected, and there is no doubt he expects to improve on those numbers moving forward.

This season, with reports of Drouin playing back on the wing, there is a very good chance he takes the next leap in his career. The Canadiens are simply dying for someone to step up and take the reigns of their franchise, and Drouin could be that player. He has the skill, thehockey sense, and the poise to a be a great NHL player, but he needs to be given the opportunity in the right setting. He was in a congested system with the Lightning, and had to learn a whole new position with the Canadiens.

As he tries to reprogram himself into a top line winger in the NHL, Drouin has all the pieces to become a 60-70 point player in 2018-19. Focusing on hockey and staying healthy will be the biggest hurdles for the young forward, but Drouin looks primed for a big season with the Canadiens.

Ottawa Senators – Brady Tkachuk

Brady Tkachuk is basically the only thing to look forward to for the Ottawa Senators. They are primed to be the worst team in the division, and have sold off franchise player Erik Karlsson. Bobby Ryan seems to be one of the few big names remaining on the roster, but that is nothing but good news for Tkachuk.

Son of famed forward Keith Tkachuk, and brother of Calgary Flames winger  Matthew Tkachuk, Brady is just 19 years old but brings a 6’3″ frame to the NHL. He’s quickly approaching the 200-pound mark, and chances are he will crack that mark by next season. He likes to play physical, but has also proven his offensive abilities at every level of hockey so far.

Playing as a freshman at Boston University in 2017-18, Tkachuk scored eight goals with 23 assists in 40 games. He also represented the United States at the U-20 WJC, scoring three goals and six assists in seven games. He had a great year for an 18 year old, and there is a good chance he will blow those experiences out of the water as a top six forward for the Senators.

If his older brother is any indication of his drive and motivation to succeed, Tkachuk seems poised to take the ample opportunity and run with it. There is far too little to be optimistic about in Ottawa, but Tkachuk could be a gem for the Senators as a rookie. Add to the fact that they should get another high draft pick in 2019, it is time to sit back and enjoy the ride as the Senators continue their rebuilding process.

Tampa Bay Lightning – Anthony Cirelli

To Tampa Bay Lightning fans, Anthony Cirelli might already be a player to watch. He was a late season call up last year and made the most of his opportunities.

He finished the regular season with five goals and six assists in 18 games, and also played in 17 playoff games for the Lightning. His 2016-17 may have everything to do with his immediate success. He is a multi-OHL champion and also won a Memorial Cup with the Oshawa Generals. Similar to Jonathan Toews, Cirelli has a true addiction to winning.

Last season, Cirellli proved he belongs at the NHL and 2018-19 should be his chance to secure a full-time roll with the Lightning. Even with Stamkos and Point in the fold, Cirelli has the ability to become a strong third line center on a Stanley Cup-contending team. He makes the most of this minutes at every level and this should be no different.

After a short stint last season, Cirelli should be able to make his mark even as a bottom six forward in 2018-19. Offense is not everything in hockey, and if he can prove himself as a two-way center, he will certainly become a mainstay on a highly-talented Lightning team. He has the hockey sense to excel early, and his ability to generate at the offensive end makes him an interesting player to watch this year.

Toronto Maple Leafs – Andreas Johnsson

While many would think Kasperi Kapanen is the man to watch in 2018-19, a lot needs to be said about Adreas Johnsson. For the most part, Kapanen and Johnsson excelled together as a part of the Toronto Marlies, leading them to a Calder Cup, and earned a chance to play in the post season with the Maple Leafs last season. They both were able to find the score sheet, but it is their production all season long that has them lurking in the shadows behind the big names of Matthews, Marner and John Tavares.

While Kapanen spent more time in the NHL, and looks primed for a strong season, Johnsson turned heads like none other at the AHL level. The seventh round draft pick not only scored 26 goals and 54 points in 54 games, but went on to score 10 goals and 24 points in 16 AHL playoff games. This not only earned him a Calder Cup with the Marlies, but also the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy for the AHL Playoffs MVP. His 24 points led all players in the postseason.

Going into 2018-19, it will be interesting to see how Johnsson and Kapanen adjust to full-time gigs at the NHL level. Chances are they will start out as bottom-six forwards, and using their two-way ability will help them keep their roster spots in the long run.

At the same time, if any injuries were to occur in the Maple Leafs top six, there is going to be plenty of opportunity for Johnsson or Kapanen to step up. Last season, Johnsson proved to be a great asset in front of the net for the Maple Leafs.

For a seventh round draft pick, Johnsson has not only surpassed all expectation at all other levels of hockey, but he is poised to become one of the biggest steals in his draft class. Stay tuned to see if he lives up to the hype this season.