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Atlantic Division breakout picks for 2019-20

September 15, 2019, 10:46 AM ET [6 Comments]
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Todd Cordell

Brady Tkachuk.

He put up 45 points as a rookie despite ranking 8th among forwards on the Senators in average time on ice (including Mark Stone and Matt Duchene, who spent most of the season in Ottawa). Tkachuk managed that because he was extremely efficient. He produced 5v5 points at a 1st line clip and ranked 5th(!) in the NHL in expected goals/60. He was full marks for his productivity.

With a full season playing a much larger role on a rebuilding Ottawa team, I would not be surprised to see Tkachuk clear 60 points. Health permitting, I expect it.

Michael Stuart

Is Mikhail Sergachev already too good to be considered a breakout candidate? I'm going to pick him.

Until things actually started counting, the Lightning were really good last season. Sergachev, however, took a bit of a step back when compared to his rookie campaign in 2017-18. While he did manage to tally a respectable 32 points last season, Lightning fans were often left wanting more both offensively and defensively. This season, my expectation is that we'll get exactly that.

Drawing conclusions based on training camp pairings is not a prudent thing to do, but Sergachev has been paired up with Victor Hedman in the early going. With Dan Girardi out of the picture, there should be an opportunity to earn minutes in that spot.

Another year older, Sergachev is now in a position to really dominate the league. He has all the tools, in addition to a really good support system around him. I'm expecting big things, while also hoping that my fiancée orders me his jersey for Christmas.

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