Breakout Candidates for the 2021 Season

 

The 2020 NHL season brought many surprises such as a 24 team playoffs surprise Hart candidates and disappointing draft picks. But none were more surprising and disappointing than these players who followed up elite seasons with a miserable 2020 NHL season.

John Gibson, the star goaltender of the lowly Anaheim Ducks. Previously to the 2020 NHL season, Gibson had been a top-three goalie, but there was a breaking point with Gibson last year he couldn't carry the ducks any longer. Gibson looks to rebound with better defence, with the additions of Kevin Shattenkirk and emerging young players. His supporting cast might be next to last in the NHL but Gibson has proved he could carry that team, and that's what he will try to do again this year.

Tyson Barrie, an elite offensive defenceman recently signed with the Edmonton Oilers. Barrie had a rough start to the season last year getting little ice time under Mike Babcock and only registering 7 points in 23 games until Babcock was fired. He went on to score 32 points in 47 games after his responsibilities were increased. With his move to the Oilers, Barrie will secure the top PP spot and run it with two of the NHL’s best scorers Connor Mcdavid and Leon Draisaitl. Barrie is incentivized to do the best he can this year after signing for only one year, a safe bet would be Barrie putting up over 50 points.

Johnny Gaudreau, a superstar in Calgary who had an extremely disappointing year. Gaudreau had no reason for his down year, his roster was the same, his ice time was the same, it just wasn't the same Gaudreau.  But with this time off Gaudreau has the time to recuperate and rest, along with free-agent additions. His ceiling is over 100 points but his lows are low, expect a bounceback year from Johnny Hockey putting up over 90 points.

By:Jackson Pitts