Fantasy Hockey Breakout Candidates: Bouchard Overtakes Makar, Perfetti is Jets Future, and More

Hey folks. We're back with another fantasy hockey article, and this time we're looking at four players who are making some noise early in the season. Every year, there are players who take a big step forward and become far more valuable in fantasy than anyone expected, and identifying those breakouts before everyone else catches on can give you a serious advantage.

Some players are finally putting their offensive talent together, while others are benefiting from bigger roles and more opportunities to produce. Whether it's a defenseman putting up elite numbers, a young forward continuing to develop into a star, or a former top pick finally starting to live up to the hype, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about what we're seeing so far.

Of course, the big question with any breakout season is whether the production is sustainable. A hot start doesn't automatically mean a player is on his way to a career year, but it's worth looking closer when the opportunity, talent and results all start lining up. We'll break down four players who are taking that next step, what has changed for each of them, and what fantasy managers should expect moving forward.

Let's dive in and review some of the biggest breakout candidates of the season so far.

As always, we'll break down what these developments mean for your fantasy roster, which situations deserve the closest attention, and what you should be watching for next. Let's dive in.

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Evan Bouchard - Edmonton Oilers

There is some talk that Bouchard could be taking the top defenseman spot away from Cale Makar, and while that sounds absurd at first, Bouchard's underlying numbers right now are absolutely unreal. He's averaging two points per game to start the season, and he's doing it while sharing the ice with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Even more impressive is that much of this production came without Zach Hyman in the lineup. Mike Babcock has seemingly unlocked Super Saiyan mode for Bouchard, and right now, he's showing no signs of slowing down.

Edmonton was letting in touchdowns during the first couple of games, but somehow Bouchard is still sitting at +/- rating of +17. That's an incredible start for a defenseman playing on a team that has had its fair share of defensive issues early on.

Fantasy outlook: Bouchard is looking like a fantasy monster right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up challenging for the top spot among fantasy defensemen this season. He's getting elite offensive deployment alongside some of the best players in the world, and his ability to rack up points makes him a difference maker in any format.

The biggest question is whether he can sustain this ridiculous pace, because averaging two points per game over a full season is obviously a massive ask. Still, Bouchard has already shown he can produce at an elite level, and with Babcock seemingly giving him the green light, I'm not looking to bet against him anytime soon.

Tim Stutzle - Ottawa Senators

Stutzle is off to an unexpectedly hot start, and considering everything going on in Ottawa, it's pretty impressive what he's been able to accomplish. Former captain Brady Tkachuk abandoned the Senators this summer, and the team has been dealing with some serious injuries, including Jake Sanderson on the back end and William Eklund up front. Despite all of that, Stutzle continues to light it up and is proving that he's among the most elite forwards in the league.

He's been the driving force behind Ottawa's strong start, putting up 12 points through his first nine games. He's also bringing plenty of physicality to the table, throwing the body around and giving fantasy managers even more reason to love what he's doing. Stutzle has always had the offensive talent, but he's showing that he can be a difference maker across multiple fantasy categories.

Fantasy outlook: Stutzle is looking like a legitimate fantasy superstar, and this hot start could be another step toward establishing himself among the league's elite. The points are great, but the hits are what really help separate him from plenty of other high-end offensive forwards.

With Ottawa dealing with key absences and Stutzle continuing to produce regardless, there's plenty to like here. I wouldn't be surprised to see him push for a career year, and fantasy managers should feel very good about having him on their roster.

Alexis Lafreniere - New York Rangers

Lafreniere is one of the players I called out before the season to have a breakout year, and so far, he has not disappointed. I was a bit worried when Igor Shesterkin went down with a season-ending injury, and I thought the Rangers' season might go down with him. Instead, New York has continued to win against the odds with Dylan Garand stepping in between the pipes.

The Rangers are certainly overperforming after losing their elite starter for the season, and Lafreniere has been a big part of that success. He's started the season with over a point per game, and after calling for a breakout before the season even began, it's great to see him delivering. He's finally starting to live up to the potential that made him the first overall pick, and this is exactly what I was hoping to see from him.

Fantasy outlook: Lafreniere was an absolute bargain at his ADP, and fantasy managers who took a chance on him are laughing all the way to the bank with this draft. He's producing at an elite pace, and the early returns suggest that the breakout I predicted could be happening right in front of us.

The Rangers have plenty to overcome without Shesterkin, but Lafreniere is giving fantasy managers every reason to believe he can take another step forward offensively. I'm feeling pretty good about this preseason call so far.

Cole Perfetti - Winnipeg Jets

Perfetti is another player I've been keeping an eye on for a while, as he's been on the cusp of breaking out and finally looks ready to turn that potential into production. I've talked about his offensive upside before, but the biggest thing holding him back was his role and the opportunity to take that next step. Well, he's getting that opportunity now, playing on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, which is about as good as it gets for a young forward looking to put up points.

There were some concerns about Winnipeg coming into the season with Connor Hellebuyck suspended, but Stuart Skinner has been holding his own, and the Jets have continued to win games. Perfetti's offense has been a big part of that success, and he's making the most of his opportunity.

His deployment is elite, his confidence looks to be at an all-time high, and he's riding some serious momentum right now. He's no longer just a young player with breakout potential. He's starting to deliver on it.

Fantasy outlook: Perfetti is looking like one of the better breakout candidates to own right now, especially for managers who grabbed him at a reasonable ADP. Playing alongside Scheifele and Connor gives him the kind of opportunity that can turn a good fantasy player into a great one, and his early production is showing what he's capable of with that role.

The combination of elite deployment, confidence and momentum has me excited about what comes next. I've been waiting for Perfetti to put it all together, and if he can keep this role, he could end up being a fantastic value for fantasy managers this season.