It is a commonplace occurrence during nearly every NHL season. A handful of
players enter a campaign with minimal expectations, and 82 games later, they
evolve into household names. Whether they are goaltenders or skaters, breakout
players can change the landscapes for clubs across the NHL. These darling stars
 can emerge as the missing ingredient to a championship recipe, or provide an
ailing franchise with a glimmer of long-term hope. The Vegas Golden Knights had
 that luxury last season, as forwards William Karlsson and Jonathan
Marchessault developed into premier scoring options for the team in 2017-18.
Who will be Vegas'; next potential breakout star? Here are three possible
nominees who could throttle expectations.Erik Haula

Prior to joining the Golden Knights roster, Marchessault flashed glimpses of
excellence in the 2016-17 season with the Florida Panthers. The 27-year old
centre racked up a team-high 30 goals to go along with 21 assists. His 50
points were third on the Panthers in 2016-17. Marchessault followed up his
pleasant campaign in Florida with a sterling season in Vegas last year. The
Quebec-born centre recorded 27 goals and 48 assists for 75 points in the Golden
 Knights inaugural campaign. Both his points and assists marks were second-most
 in Vegas last season.

Marchessault';s 2016-17 statistics are quite comparable to Golden Knights
forward Erik Haula';s from a season ago.Vegas Golden Knights left wing Erik
Haula evolved into a reliable scorer last season, with hopes of elevating his
game to another level in 2018-29 a possibility. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY
Sports)

The 27-year-old forward emerged as a viable scoring option for the Golden
Knights in 2017-18. Haula notched 29 goals and 26 helpers for 55 points last
year, concluding the regular season as Vegas'; second-leading goal-scorer
behind Karlsson. The former Minnesota Wild prospect was reliable on the power
play as well, as he posted a team-high 12 goals and 19 points on the man
advantage. Looking at the numbers on its own, it is plausible to believe Haula
can elevate his game to another level.

His ability to produce offensively in both even-strength and power play
situations needs to be maintained for the upcoming season. A smattering of the
NHL';s most effective scorers are key contributors to their team';s attacks in
five-on-five scenarios, as well as on the man advantage. If the Finnish-born
left wing continues to evolve as a consistent scorer in multiple schemes, a
breakout season is forthcoming.

Anything can happen, but Haula seems to be on a familiar path to the one of
fellow 27-year-old Marchessault. It would be rather stunning to see him falter
on a presumptive championship contender after nearing the 30-goal mark last
season. If he cultivates a breakthrough year, do not be shocked to see Haula
conclude the regular season hovering around the 35-goal, 70-point range.Alex
Tuch

Unlike Marchessault, William Karlsson entered the Vegas locker room after a
rather pedestrian output the prior season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 81
 games played, The six-foot-one forward recorded just six goals and 19 helpers
for a career-best 25 points in the 2016-17 season. Once he arrived in Sin City,
 Karlsson exploded for one of the most jaw-dropping breakout seasons in the NHL
 last year. The former Blue Jacket notched 43 goals and 35 assists for 75
points last season, as his goals and points totals were a team-high. His 43
lamp-lighters were third in the NHL behind Patrick Laine (44 goals) and Alex
Ovechkin (49)Alex Tuch of the Vegas Golden Knights became an energetic specimen
 for the team in the postseason. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)

One Golden Knights forward whose numbers last season were similar to
Karlsson';s 2016-17 totals is Alex Tuch. Does this mean he will emerge as a
40-goal scorer this coming season? Absolutely not, but it might be an indicator
 that Tuch could provide a higher degree of production in 2018-19.

In 78 games played last season, the 22-year-old forward racked up 15 goals and
22 assists for 37 points in his second NHL campaign. His regular season numbers
 were not dazzling, but he had spurts of above-average production as a mainstay
 on either the second or third line. Tuch played his best hockey during the
postseason, where he notched six goals and four assists in 20 appearances. His
goal-scoring mark was tied for third on the team. Five of his six scores came
on the power play.

Witnessing the Syracuse, N.Y.-product barrel his way up the gut of opposing
defences became a recurrent sight in the playoffs. Tuch';s north-south style
with the puck meshes seamlessly with Vegas'; aggressive, full-throttle
approach. The former Minnesota Wild enters his third NHL campaign at 22 years
old and could fill the scoring void left by 66-point forward David Perron. If
Tuch crafts a breakout season in 2018-19, flirting with the 25-goal, 50-60
point range is not hyperbolic.

Shea Theodore

Quite possibly the most frequently-uttered phrase in sports is "defense wins
championships." The three-letter idiom mostly holds true throughout team
athletics, including hockey. Even though the Washington Capitals are equipped
with an explosive and talent-rich offense, their improved defensive play in the
 postseason was fundamental in their Stanley Cup championship. A strong
blueline also helped the Golden Knights last season in their run to the final
series. Vegas'; pairing of Nate Schmidt and Colin Miller spearheaded a sturdy
defensive core last year.Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore enters the
2018-19 season with a legitimate chance of becoming a top-two blueliner for the
 club. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)

But more solid defensemen the better, and a breakout campaign from blueliner
Shea Theodore would do exactly that. The Langley, B.C. native is fresh off a
positive season in 2016-17, as he recorded six goals and 23 assists in 61 games
 last season. It is important to highlight his absence from 21 games last year,
 so playing in a full or near-complete campaign would only elevate his output.
The former Anaheim Ducks defensemen is just 23 years old, which means the
potential of him evolving his overall skill set is tremendous.

Theodore proved last season he is an excellent puck-mover and above-average
playmaker on the power play, but he did stumble into lackadaisical moments
during the Final. If the six-foot-two defenseman can build a strong skill set
as a defensive-defensemen, then the sky is the limit for the 23-year-old from
B.C. Piecing together his offensive talent with his solid frame and adequate
physicality could easily lead Theodore to emerge as Vegas'; top defenseman by
season';s end.

The post Golden Knights Top 3 Breakout Candidates for 2018-19 appeared first on
 The Hockey Writers.

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