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Atlantic Division: Each team’s top breakout candidate for 2019-20 season

By Cory Mello

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: Members of the Atlantic Division team of the Eastern Conference pose for a team photo during the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: Members of the Atlantic Division team of the Eastern Conference pose for a team photo during the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images /

With the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final dwindling down, it’s time to look ahead at the possible Atlantic Division breakout candidates for the 2019-20 NHL season. 

Arguably one of the most competitive divisions in the NHL, the Atlantic Division is no short of talented players throughout. With the likes of players such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Nikita Kucherov, and Jack Eichel, to name a few, it can be hard to make a name for yourself in such a star-studded division.

When fantasy hockey returns, the star players will already be picked before you have a chance to nag them all. What you do want however is the chance to steal a player in the draft that goes on to enrich your team for a chance for fantasy hockey glory.

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Every season we see a player rise to the occasion to solidify themselves among the best in the league. The Atlantic Division is no shy of premier talent within the NHL, this we already know. With many of the top players for each team considered to be premier talent, year after year players make a name for themselves.

Jonathan Marchessault went from seven goals to 30 in one season. He has gone on to become among the Vegas Golden Knights best players. Players that may not be well-known have the opportunity to become a namesake or players with untapped potential.

A breakout candidate is a player that can go from 50+ points to immediately eclipse 90+ points in a single season such as Nathan MacKinnon. This could also be a player that is well-known and has maybe had a down season compared to what they normally produce, and are looking to bounce back.

A breakout season is applicable for players that had high-expectations but failed to deliver based on injury, a bad season, etc.  While there are many players with the potential to have a breakout season in 2019-20, I went specifically for players that have a legitimate chance to breakout due to past performances, based on the current state of the team they are playing for, or whom they may be line-mates with.

I will not be including rookies that have yet to play an NHL game as it is unknown if they will play for sure. With that in mind, let’s look at who made the Atlantic Division’s breakout candidates for the 2019-20 NHL season.

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