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NHL players like Filip Chytil and Cole Caufield were just two of the many names fans mentioned as potential breakout stars this week in anticipation of the 2024-25 season. With action set to begin around the league in less than a month, the NHL community has begun to share their predictions for the year ahead.
On Friday night, hockey content creator Mike Bartner asked NHL fans who they believed would have a breakout season:
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Naturally, fans had a wide range of predictions:
"filip chytil 25+ goals," one wrote.
"My money's on Caufield," another added.
In some cases, fans named players who have shown flashes of brilliance while struggling with injuries, while in other cases, they mentioned athletes who have been on the brink of a breakout season for some time but just haven't been able to put everything together.
"William Eklund, lots of talent going to be around him next season for his second full year. Wouldn’t be surprised if we see him get close to point per game." One fan wrote.
"This is the year Kaapo Kakko breaks out," another added.
The barrage of name-dropping continued:
"Jake Evans," one wrote.
"I’ve also indulged in similar activities. I pick Anders Lee," another added.
Looking at the season ahead for Filip Chytil and Cole Caufield
As fans shared their predictions for breakout seasons, let's look at some names mentioned by the NHL community.
Filip Chytil, heading into the second year of his four-year, $17.75 million contract with the New York Rangers, finished the 2022 season with 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists). His performance led him to ink a new contract. However, his 2023 season was derailed by a concussion that put him on injury reserve. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back.
Cole Caufield, another popular pick, started his eight-year $62.8 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens last season, logging 65 points (28 goals, 37 assists) in 82 games.
