The New Kids Who Could Break Out in 2026-27

Nemec, Eklund, and a handful of other prospects are about to get their shot with new organizations, and the league is watching closely to see who capitalizes on the fresh start. Sometimes a change of scenery is all a young player needs to unlock the potential scouts saw in the draft, and this year's crop of newcomers has the talent to make an immediate impact. The question isn't whether they can play - it's whether they'll play like the franchise-altering talents their new teams are banking on.