Each NHL season, a number of players break out and become stars. Mostly, they are players who were taken early in the draft, but sometimes they come out of nowhere.

It makes sense for hockey fans to be thinking about picking up the cards of high-potential prospects before those breakouts happen. Here are some good candidates to take a leap during the upcoming season.

Kent Johnson 2022 Upper Deck Young Guns 

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Style matters when it comes to the game of hockey and this centerman for the Columbus Blue Jackets has style for days. Kent Johnson was selected fifth overall during the 2021 draft. Last season was his first as a full-time player and he was able to notch 16 goals to go along with 24 assists.

Turning 21 in October, Johnson has massive potential for growth and could is widely expected to become a star in the NHL. You may want to pick up some of his first-year cards before that happens. One intriguing option is his 2022 Upper Deck Young Guns card which sells for around $100 in a PSA 10.

Alexis Lafrenière 2020 SP Authentic Auto 

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First-overall picks in the NHL often produce star-level numbers right away. That hasn't been the case with Quebec-born prospect Alexis Lafrenière. The Rangers were thrilled in 2020 when they won the lottery and had the chance to select the Left winger.

Lafrenière has not been bad by any means. He tallied 39 points last year as a 21-year-old. Most scouts think there is still plenty of untapped potential in the forward and he'll have a new coaching staff this year. Numbered to 999, Lafrenière's 2020 SP Authentic auto could make for a strong investment.

Carter Hart 2018 Upper Deck Young Guns

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What constitutes a breakout can vary depending on the person making the argument. Some would say that Carter Hart, the young goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers has already had his breakout.

Still, Hart has shown himself to be such a talented netminder, that the sky is the limit. He has yet to make an NHL All-Star game but could do so too. There is still time to buy up some of Hart's early issues before that happens. A copy of his Young Guns rookie card currently sells for between $250 and $400 in PSA 10 gem mint condition.

Quinton Byfield 2021 Metal Universe Planet Metal Red 

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Several players from the 2020 NHL Draft have yet to make their mark on the league. The first pick, Alexis Lafreniere, appeared earlier on this list. The second pick in the draft, Quinton Byfield, has also yet to really put his stamp on the NHL.

But the 6-5 centerman has all the necessary ingredients to become a top-flight NHL player. Injuries have slowed his ascent, but Byfield impressed during the Kings playoff series against the Oilers. His Metal Universe Planet Metal Red card is quite rare and also quite affordable.

Marco Rossi 2020 Upper Deck Young Guns 

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The other players on this list have a fair bit of NHL experience. Marco Rossi, selected 9th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2020, has only played 21 games at the highest level. While developing, he has had two terrific years in the AHL, working as a point-per-game player.

Thanks to Rossi's inexperience, his cards still sell for quite an affordable price. The center is featured in Upper Deck's 2020 Young Guns subset and the card sells in gem mint condition for under $100.

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.