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In this edition of the hotstove, we share breakout picks for players within the Atlantic Division.
Todd Cordell
Artturi Lehkonen.
He scored 18 goals, 15 of which came at 5v5, in 73 games as a rookie and was one of Montreal's biggest offensive threats in that game state (only Max Pacioretty and Paul Byron scored more goals). I think he is one of the more dynamic forwards on the roster and, as he continues to develop, will see more ice time playing for a less risk-averse coach like Claude Julien. Should that be the case, I expect his point totals to jump a fair bit.
Lucas Neilson
Without a doubt, Anthony Mantha will be the breakout player in the Atlantic Division.
The Red Wings are going to struggle, but someone has to score their goals and that someone is Mantha who will likely be playing on the top line with Zetterberg.
The Wings will have to find a home on the power play for the 6'5" winger who was able to score 17 goals in 60 games with reduced minutes on the worst Detroit team in 25 years.
I expect Mantha to break 50+ points and score 25 goals.
He's the bright light in the Wings lineup and if all goes well he just may be Detroit's top goal scorer for years to come.
Mantha is a goal scorer and a big part of his success this season will be the health of Henrik Zetterberg. Last season big Z led the Wings with 68 points and I could see Mantha being second in points for the Wings at the end of the 2017-18 season.
Runner up: Frank Vatrano
Adam French
Anthony Mantha.
Detroit is a garbage fire of hot...garbage. They're one of the worst run teams in the league right now and ready for a massive shakeup. However...even Detroit can't ruin Anthony Mantha, despite trying their best. Mantha was highly hyped as he played 24 minutes a night in all situations and destroyed the QMJHL with 50 goal performances galore. That and a 24 goal in 24 game playoff performance.
At 22 (turning 23 tomorrow...today?) Mantha is at the prime of his offensive capabilities and ready to really show what he has. He had 17 goals and 36 points in just 60 games last year, which means he was probably closer to a 25g 50p campaign.
I expect a 35 goal and 60 point campaign. Not the biggest totals possible, but what I think is a big enough jump to make him the breakout player. Everybody but Zetterberg had a disastrous season last year for Detroit. Larkin, Nielsen, Nyquist, Tatar et all pretty much had their worst season in years. Mantha will bull and push his way to prime minutes and make it count.
Jared Crozier
Charlie McAvoy from the Bruins. He stepped into a tough spot in the playoffs against the Senators last season and didn't look out of place, and might have been their best defenseman in the series. With Chara well on his way down the slippery slope, McAvoy will be a prime time defenseman in Boston for years to come, and it could start as early as now. He and the Senators' Thomas Chabot will have very similar trajectories, except Chabot will have the shadow of an in-his-prime Erik Karlsson to step out of.
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