The NHL's one-month breakouts, rebounds: Who keeps it up? - ESPN

The 2026-27 NHL season is well underway, with each team having played at least 10 games through the first month.

Based on this early-season 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 improvement from 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 Leafs made a lot of moves this offseason 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.

Matthews has scored nine goals through 14 games and is on pace to notch 54 total and score 120 points 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 has been far more involved off the puck, specifically on the