Emerging Stars in the NHL
In the world of professional sports, it is a team’s aspiration to witness a player unexpectedly evolving into a star. However, this phenomenon is not a frequent occurrence. While young players often emerge as breakout talents, many others require several years to truly shine. The previous NHL season showcased this with players like Kirill Marchenko from Columbus, Colorado’s Martin Necas, and Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor, all of whom experienced significant career milestones and elevated their teams’ performances. Now, we delve into three players who have gotten off to a compelling start this season and appear destined for breakout success.
Key Players to Watch
Seth Jarvis, Right Wing, Carolina Hurricanes
Seth Jarvis has consistently demonstrated that he’s a valuable asset for the Carolina Hurricanes since he entered the NHL. Following two impressive seasons with over 60 points each, Jarvis faced elevated expectations entering his fifth season. Through the first 14 games, he has risen to the occasion, amassing 14 points and maintaining a plus-4 rating.
Jarvis has enjoyed a career-high average of 19:19 minutes on the ice, including nearly six minutes playing during power plays and penalty kills. He has also made history, becoming the first player to score four game-winning goals in the Hurricanes’ initial five games of the season. This ability to clinch tight matches highlights his potential as a leader on the ice.
Currently on track for a remarkable point-per-game average, Jarvis could surpass his previous career-best of 67 points achieved in the 2023-2024 seasons. Despite being on the third line alongside Jordan Martinook and Jordan Staal, he leads the Hurricanes in scoring and continues to contribute defensively—especially significant as teammates Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers struggle. With a strong start of 10 wins out of 14 matches, Jarvis’s all-around excellence is a cornerstone for the Hurricanes’ success as they position themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Macklin Celebrini, Center, San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini’s emergence as a prominent player wasn’t unexpected, given his status as the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft. In his rookie season, he led the Sharks with 63 points despite the team finishing last in the league. Now, with the addition of Michael Misa and experienced veterans like John Klingberg and Dmitry Orlov, expectations were moderate for the Sharks this season. Yet, Celebrini has exceeded all projections.
As the Sharks struggled initially, managing an 0-4-2 record, they have since rebounded, going 7-2-1 in their last eight games, largely due to Celebrini’s offensive prowess. With 24 points in just 16 games, he finds himself tied with Nathan MacKinnon for the highest score in the league, demonstrating his capability even amidst a team grappling with defensive challenges.
As Celebrini continues to accumulate points, his performance has helped revolutionize the Sharks’ first line alongside Will Smith and Tyler Toffoli, making it one of the league’s most effective groupings. Celebrini has not just showcased star potential, but he has begun to act as a foundational piece for the franchise—a window into a promising future.
Dylan Larkin, Center, Detroit Red Wings
While most players tend to hit their peak before their 11th year in the league, Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings demonstrates that improvement can occur at any stage. Drafted 15th overall in the 2014 NHL draft and consistently performing as a reliable scorer, Larkin had never surpassed a point-per-game average or accumulated more than 79 points in a season.
With a strong leadership presence and an impressive roster that has underperformed for several seasons, Larkin has managed to step up significantly as he enters the 2025-2026 season. Currently tied for the 18th most points in the NHL with 18 through 15 games, Larkin has cultivated a plus-6 rating, helping to place Detroit among contenders in the Atlantic Division after a lengthy playoff drought.
His effectiveness is showcased in the Red Wings’ top line, alongside Lucas Raymond and Emmitt Finnie, which ranks notably well in both scoring and defense. Given Larkin’s vital role and the team’s potential resurgence, it seems he is on the path to finally transitioning from a capable player into a critical component of a playoff-contending team.
