EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe 2026-2027 NHL season is well underway, with each team having played at least 10 games through the first month.Using the early part of the season as a sample, more than a few players have taken a huge leap forward in their play, or they've rebounded after recent down seasons. Naturally, the elevated play of the players has elevated the performance of their teams and made for an exciting beginning to the campaign. There are two parts to this list below: players who have raised their ceiling with their elevated play, and players who have rebounded after down years.It isn't solely about production, it is about controlling play, impacting the game in a more meaningful way, playing higher in the lineup and thriving. Production is a major part of the evaluative process, but becoming a more impactful player for the team is likely to be more sustainable over the balance of the season, rather than benefiting from an elevated shooting percentage.The reboundsAuston MatthewsC, Toronto Maple LeafsThe Leafs made a lot of moves this off-season and look much better for it, but none of it matters unless their captain returned to form.After two seasons that saw his production and ability to control the game fall dramatically, Matthews looks back to his dominant self.On pace for 120 points, Matthews has scored nine goals through 14 games, and is on pace to notch 54 total this season. He's dominating offensively, finishing at a rate more typical of his talent, and is driving the Leafs up the standings with his play.Matthews' skating has looked noticeably better. According to NHL Edge, Matthews has jumped from the 52nd and 72nd percentiles in 20-22 mph and 18-20 mph bursts in 2025-26, to the 68th and 93rd percentiles this season. He's been far more involved off the puck, specifically on the forecheck, resulting in his line forcing turnovers, extending offensive zone time and creating more scoring chances.The combination of his improved health, a top-five power play and an elevated shooting percentage have led to good play on and off the puck, leading to a noticeable rebound in impact and production.Elias PetterssonC, Vancouver CanucksPettersson may be the only player with more ink spilled and airwaves filled about him than Matthews. There has been no shortage of negative off-ice noise plaguing the Canucks center over the last few seasons, and that doesn't account for how poor the on-ice pay has been either.The Canucks are going through a rebuild, and tried to trade Pettersson on numerous occasions over the past two seasons. Under a new coaching staff, he's looked less like a player skating with the weight of the world on his shoulders and more like a top-six difference maker. On a point-per-game pace, Pettersson has shown signs that the Petey of old is coming back to life, specifically the one-timers on the PP.Pettersson is drawing penalties at an elite rate, has already equaled his power-play goal total from last season, and is driving play through zone entries, shot assists and excellent defensive play. He's producing points at even strength that is in line for a top-six-caliber forward, and a fringe top-line player. Pettersson ranks top five in blocked shots among NHL forwards, and is much more engaged that the previous two seasons.In the long term, if 2026 first-round pick Caleb Malhotra can be a top-line center for Vancouver, it will allow Pettersson to play a second-line role, while producing at a high level on the power play. In the short term, Pettersson's resurgence gives the Canucks a legitimate top-six option in the rebuild if he can keep his play consistent.Linus UllmarkG, Ottawa SenatorsPrior to Ullmark getting hurt, he was one of the best goalies to start the season and earned his spot on this list. At 8.4 goals above expected, per Moneypuck, he ranks second in the NHL behind Jake Oettinger.Without Jake Sanderson for the first part of the season, Ullmark backstopped the Sens, covering for a defensive group missing its best defender. Furthermore, the Sens have taken a slight step back defensively as a team to start the season, and Ullmark has been the key piece to a few important points. He's already surpassed last year's wins above replacement value. Prior to injury, Ullmark looked more balanced in goal, sharp in his movements and challenging shooters without being overly aggressive.Ullmark's time in Ottawa has been turbulent to say the least, whether it was poor play, mental health struggles which he bravely spoke about, or a former teammate's podcast taking thinly veiled shots at him in a very public forum. To come back in Jennings Trophy form out of the gate and be lost to injury is a cruel twist of fate. The expectation is that Ullmark will return in the next week, however goaltending injuries are unpredictable and even less so as it pertains to how effective a goalie will be once they return.The drop-off from Ullmark to Samuel Ersson (and others) is chasmic, given the way Ullmark started the season. The Sens are hoping he's in early-season form when he returns.The breakoutsAlexis LafreniereLW, New York RangersIt is odd that a player who is entering his seventh NHL season would find themselves on this list, but the 2020 first overall pick has had a rough go in the early part of his NHL career. He's played for coaches more interested in winning than developing a potential young star and giving him opportunities with talented veterans.In fact, the Rangers have a long track record of struggling to develop young draft picks, and many have succeeded elsewhere after struggling in the Rangers system as young players (K'Andre Miller, Kaapo Kakko, Pavel Buchnevich, Brett Howden). Lafreniere is finally getting top-line minutes, averaging 19 minutes per game, and is showing much of the play-driving ability that made him worthy of the first overall pick.One of the more noticeable things about Lafreniere is the difference in his play since the departure of Artemi Panarin. Lafreniere deferred to Panarin more than he should have in his development years. Without Panarin -- and no longer serving as the young player on his line, that would be Gabe Perreault -- Lafreniere is creating scoring chances through his own assertive play. He's adjusted to his new role, and started to execute some of the reads he makes on and off the puck, which has buoyed his confidence.His zone entries have improved dramatically, leading to more scoring chances off the rush and a greater ability to create for his line mates. His improved patience on and off the puck have led to better play execution and results. His shooting percentage will regress at some point, but his impact defensively and ability to anticipate the play should continue to allow Lafreniere to be a difference maker for the Rangers.Easton CowanRW, Toronto Maple LeafsGiddy up, indeed! Cowan looks like a completely different hockey player this season under new coach Jim Hiller. After starting on the third line, Cowan's play forced the coach's hand, and he's looked like a true difference maker on the top line with Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic.Once thought of as a middle-six complementary player, Cowan has raised his ceiling to a potential difference maker on the top line. Cowan is half way to equaling his production of 11 goals and 29 points in his rookie year, with six goals and 13 points through 14 games. His points-per-game pace has doubled, partially because of increased opportunity -- but it is a well-earned opportunity.Cowan is playing on both special teams, he's a dogged forechecker, and is part of a line that is controlling play in their matchups. Cowan has gained a step in his skating; it's showing up in the NHL Edge data -- he's in the 90-plus percentiles in all three burst categories. That's allowed him to become a more dangerous rush attacker, beat defenders, win races to loose pucks and force turnovers all over the ice.He stops on pucks, drives the net and is using his skating to attack the dangerous areas of the ice. He's more confident making skilled plays and is now playing with players capable of capitalizing on the chances he creates. If this is who Easton Cowan is, it is a major development for a team who desperately needs to find in-house solutions with a significant lack of assets available to execute significant trades.Matvei MichkovRW, Philadelphia FlyersFinally! The Flyers had about the worst start possible, but Michkov is showing signs of the elite talent many were expecting after he was drafted seventh overall in 2023.He's not playing in the best development environment from a coaching perspective, but he's making the best of it. After an excellent summer that saw Michkov show up to camp in the best shape of his career, he leads the Flyers in points. His shooting percentage is absolutely not going to sustain itself, but he's matched his power-play goal output from last season, already.With eight goals through 14 games, it is reasonable to believe Michkov will notch his first 30-goal season as his shooting percentage normalizes. Even netting 35 is a distinct possibility, especially if he continues to score on the power play.Not only is Michkov scoring at an impressive clip, he looks more confident in the plays he makes on a regular basis. He's unafraid to hold the puck and out wait opponents to take advantage, with the perfect example coming against the Colorado Avalanche. He has used his tremendous puck skill and elite hockey sense to create chances every night, and has been one of the best Flyers to start the season.One would hope that as he continues to play well, he is rewarded with more ice time, and does not get stuck behind guys who are not capable of producing at his level.Mason McTavishC, St. Louis BluesA change of scenery has yielded incredible results for McTavish. After falling completely out of the picture in Anaheim, McTavish is playing a regular top-six role in St. Louis and is on pace to smash his career highs in goals (22) and points (52).For the first time in his career, he's above 50% expected goals, and creating more chances than he's surrendering while on the ice. His shooting percentage is elevated, but not completely unsustainable over a single season. McTavish has fit like a glove in the Blues' lineup and the system is allowing him to create more.McTavish's microstats haven't seen a tremendous jump, but the elevated opportunity to play with skilled players has allowed him to thrive. McTavish is getting to the middle of the ice on a more consistent basis, and is in the 97th percentile for high-danger shots, according to NHL Edge.The biggest concern with McTavish has been his foot speed. While he's unlikely to ever be a premier skater, he's looked noticeably quicker to start the season. He's shown a greater understanding of his physical makeup -- and how to utilize it in the middle of the ice. McTavish's step forward and the increased opportunity has made him one of the best Blues to start the season and key part of their offence.Vasily PodkolzinRW, Edmonton OilersThe moment the young Russian winger was the third man on the "McDrai" line, he was highly likely to break out.Podkolzin wasn't drafted to be the player that puts up 40 goals and 95 points. He was thought of as a power forward who was going to be extraordinarily difficult to play against, while possessing the talent to capitalize playing with elite talent. Well, there is no greater elite talent than Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Podkolzin's ability and willingness to do the dirty work, be it retrieving pucks, winning puck battles or playing elite defense has made him a staple on that line.Podkolzin is on pace for more than 50 goals and 90 points, and while the goal total is a stretch, he's a younger version of Zach Hyman who scored 54 goals with eerily similar deployment in the Oilers lineup. His net-front presence makes him a premier target because it is one that disrupts goalies and defenders, and allows him to be available for rebounds and deflections.Defensively, he's proven to be one Edmonton's best forwards, earning the trust of the coaching staff to play in critical situations. Podkolzin is at a completely different level than his first few seasons, is playing nearly 20 minutes per game, and is exactly the type of cheap-contract forward the Oilers need to get tremendous value out of if they are to contend for Stanley Cup.
