Five Forwards Set To Enter NHL Top 100 In 2026-27

Jackson Blake posted 22 goals and 53 points in 81 games this season after 17 goals and 34 points as a rookie.

Blake’s Steady Climb In Carolina

Blake averaged 16:30 of ice time in the regular season before jumping to 18:10 in 17 playoff games where he recorded six goals and 18 points.

Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour has given the 22-year-old increasing responsibility on a line with Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven.

The Hurricanes posted Blake’s regular-season goal total on a plus-16 rating in a 70-game sample last year before his second campaign.

His playoff output already exceeds the per-game scoring rate of several established top-six wingers.

Demidov And Snuggerud Secure First-Line Minutes

Ivan Demidov recorded 19 goals and 62 points in 82 games as a 20-year-old rookie while averaging 15:30 of ice time.

Montreal increased that average to 17:03 in the playoffs, signaling an imminent move to the top line alongside Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki.

Jimmy Snuggerud, selected 23rd overall in 2022, delivered 21 goals and 51 points in only 70 games during his first NHL season.

The St. Louis forward posted a plus-16 rating on a team that finished below .500, demonstrating two-way value that will earn him heavy minutes.

Terry And Tippett Chase Career Highs

Troy Terry appeared in 61 games for Anaheim and posted 19 goals and 57 points at a near point-per-game pace.

The 28-year-old reached the playoffs for the first time and collected eight assists and 11 points in 12 games.

Owen Tippett scored 28 goals for Philadelphia, matching his career high set as a 27-year-old.

The former 10th overall pick will benefit from a growing young roster that can lift his totals into the 30-goal range consistently.