Breakout signals: NHL team rankings
All situations · 2025-26 regular season · Breakout events
Count of breakout signals this season: line promotions, PP1 entries and ice-time spikes that cleared our sample tests.
In 2025-26, the Buffalo Sabres rank 1st in Breakout events (all situations) at 8, the highest mark in the NHL. The Washington Capitals sit 32nd at 0. The league average is 2.
All 32 teams by Breakout events
Highest first. Each team links to Breakout events on its own stats page.
| Rk | Team | Gap to league average | Breakout events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | 8 | |
| 2 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | 6 | |
| 2 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | 6 | |
| 4 |  Utah MammothUTA | 5 | |
| 5 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | 3 | |
| 5 |  Florida PanthersFLA | 3 | |
| 5 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | 3 | |
| 5 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | 3 | |
| 9 |  Colorado AvalancheCOL | 2 | |
| 9 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | 2 | |
| 9 |  New York RangersNYR | 2 | |
| 9 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | 2 | |
| 9 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | 2 | |
| 9 |  San Jose SharksSJS | 2 | |
| 9 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | 2 | |
| 9 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | 2 | |
| 9 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | 2 | |
| 18 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | 1 | |
| 18 |  Dallas StarsDAL | 1 | |
| 18 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | 1 | |
| 18 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | 1 | |
| 18 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | 1 | |
| 23 |  Anaheim DucksANA | 0 | |
| 23 |  Boston BruinsBOS | 0 | |
| 23 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | 0 | |
| 23 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | 0 | |
| 23 |  Minnesota WildMIN | 0 | |
| 23 |  Montreal CanadiensMTL | 0 | |
| 23 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | 0 | |
| 23 |  New York IslandersNYI | 0 | |
| 23 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | 0 | |
| 23 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | 0 |
- Above league average
- Below
How we calculate team Breakout events
After each game we flag players whose usage jumps beyond their baseline (a promotion to a top line, a move onto PP1 or a large ice-time spike) and count the team's flags.
Why it matters for fantasy hockey
Breakouts start with opportunity. Breakout Comps shows how similar past jumps played out, so you can tell a real breakout from a one-night bump.
How to read it
Higher means more players getting new opportunities on the team.
Limitations
Signals mark opportunity, not production; many fade when injured players return.
Go deeper
FAQ
- Which NHL team ranks first in Breakout events in 2025-26?
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 1st with the highest Breakout events in the NHL, 8. The top three: Buffalo Sabres (8), Nashville Predators (6), Tampa Bay Lightning (6).
- What is Breakout Comps?
- An Edgehalla tool that finds past players whose usage jumped the same way and shows how their seasons went.
- What causes fantasy breakouts?
- Usually a role change: more ice time, better linemates or a power-play promotion, before the points arrive.
Ranks are among the 32 current teams; 1st is the highest value. Regular season only, updated through the latest processed games.