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

You won’t find the obvious candidates here. That means no Dylan Guenther, not after 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 poised to become breakout stars in the 2024-2025 NHL season:

The Rookies

CAL RITCHIE
Right wing, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 19
Last year: 50 GP, 28 G, 52 A, 82 points (OHL)
Seravalli Sees: 75 GP, 15 G, 34 A, 49 points
Scoop: In a year of serious crisis, Ritchie could be exactly what Dr. MacFarland in Denver had ordered. Ritchie is ready to step into the NHL straight from Oshawa as one of the brightest players in the game. The 2023 No. 27 overall pick learned how to be more than just a creative scorer and transformed into a versatile two-way player. There are no holes in his game. He can outsmart opponents. Ritchie has taken all of his junior teammates to the next level and now he will lean on the Avs’ veterans to show him the ropes where he will quickly adapt.

ZACHARY L’HEUREUX
Lefty, Nashville Predators
Age: 21
Last year: 66 GP, 19 G, 29 A, 48 points
Seravalli Sees: 77 GP, 13 G, 22 A, 35 points
Scoop: Meet the new player your team loves to hate. There’s no one on the potential roster quite like L’Heureux, who literally scared opponents in last year’s Calder Cup playoffs for the Milwaukee Admirals. L’Heureux can do it all. He can score, he can dish and he can fight. This is a very different Nashville roster to crack this year considering all their additions, but it’s hard not to imagine the Preds using this unique stirrer.

Stay tuned: 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 points
Seravalli Sees: 70 GP, 3 G, 15 A, 18 Pts
Scoop: Without making too bold a prediction, Edvinsson is already the Wings’ second-best defenseman, behind only Moritz Seider. It’s been a methodical progression from Grands Rapids to Motown, with a taste of the NHL over the past two seasons. But it was just a taste. Edvinsson is ready for more. He may not be a major point producer at the NHL level, but the 6-foot-1, 2021 No. 6 overall pick has a strong shot and moves very well for a mountain of a man. This season he should chew twenty minutes a night.

BRAND CLARKE
Right defense, Los Angeles Kings
Age: 21
Last year: 16 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 points
Seravalli Sees: 81 GP, 10 G, 32 A, 42 points
Scoop: Clarke was picked two spots behind Edvinsson in 2021 and the Kings have been patiently waiting for the Ottawa native to take over. Oddly enough, both Clarke and Edvinsson have each played the exact same number of NHL games over the past two seasons (nine and 16, respectively), but their games are completely different. Clarke is no small violet at 1.80 meters tall, but he is an extremely creative defender. He has vision, poise and awareness that make him a threat. With Drew Doughty being helped off the ice with a leg injury during preseason play on Thursday, the Kings will likely need fellow right shot Clarke to take on a prominent puck-moving role right away.

CONNOR ZARY
Lefty, Calgary Flames
Age: 23
Last year: 63 GP, 14 G, 20 A, 34 points
Seravalli Sees: 80 GP, 22 G, 43 A, 65 Pt
Scoop: There’s no doubt it’s been an impressive training camp for Zary, who appears ready to take the next step and avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. While he may lean towards a natural centre, Zary has been impressive on the wing. You don’t have to squeal with joy. It works. Last year, his season didn’t have many breaks. He had six multi-point games, meaning he collected at least one point in almost half (28) of his 63 games. Zary could double that this year if he tops Ryan Huska’s lineup.

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 points
Scoop: When you dig into the numbers, Emberson actually posted a strong rookie season with the Sharks in limited appearances. Aside from the shots he averages per game, Emberson makes a good first pass – which should be the No. 1 priority for any Edmonton blueliner with 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 points
Seravalli Sees: 74 GP, 10 G, 18 A, 28 Pt
Scoop: Zellweger can no longer accomplish anything in the AHL. Last season he proved he could dominate even as a rookie. Zellweger, the 2023 CHL Defenseman of the Year, may not have much size at 6-foot-4, but he’s such an effortless skater that he makes your head spin. He can also play on the right side, adding to his versatility in Greg Cronin’s lineup. His emergence this season in a full-time role will make Cam Fowler’s eventual departure from the Ducks that much sweeter.