Breakout Forward Tiers: Jack Quinn, Matt Coronato and 2026 Fantasy Risers

Breakout forwards are where fantasy hockey leagues are won. You’re not paying for last year’s numbers here; you’re targeting players about to jump into bigger roles, juicier power-play time and top-six usage. Using age, opportunity and role as our guide, let’s break down the key breakout forward tiers built around Jack Quinn, Matt Coronato, Ridly Greig, Bobby Brink and Shane Wright for the 2026 fantasy season.

What’s New & Why It Matters

This breakout class is driven less by surprise talent and more by evolving roles. Quinn is tracking toward a top-six job and a prominent spot on the Buffalo Sabres’ top power-play unit. That combination of even-strength deployment and PP1 access is exactly what turns a promising winger into a fantasy staple.

In Calgary, Coronato is set to benefit from a changing roster and the need for fresh scoring options. More minutes, better linemates and a chance to stick on the top power play give him a clear path to meaningful production. Opportunity is the theme in Minnesota as well, where Bobby Brink has a realistic shot at a top-six role with the Minnesota Wild thanks to turnover on the wings.

Down the middle, Ridly Greig in Ottawa and Shane Wright in Seattle both fit the classic breakout profile: young centers entering the right experience window, now trusted with more responsibility. Greig has top-six center potential on a talented Ottawa forward group, while Wright finally appears positioned to handle a significant role for the Seattle Kraken. For fantasy managers, these changing roles represent discounted access to top-six and power-play usage that is often priced like mid-tier depth.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, you care most about who can ride quality linemates and live on the top power play. Quinn is the headline option here. A top-six winger who can stick on PP1 in Buffalo has legitimate upside as a breakout scorer. If he locks in that role, he can quickly move from fringe roster piece to automatic start in all but the shallowest leagues.

Coronato belongs in the same tier of upside, even if his floor is a bit shakier. Calgary’s roster turnover opens a lane for him to grab prime offensive minutes. If he clicks with the team’s top offensive pieces and sees steady power-play work, he can outperform more established but lower-ceiling veterans in your middle roster spots.

Wright and Greig are more situation-dependent in pure scoring leagues. Both project as top-six centers, but their fantasy value hinges on who they skate with and how much power-play time they earn. If Wright lands with the primary scoring wingers in Seattle and sees consistent PP1 usage, his breakout could be dramatic. Greig’s path is similar in Ottawa: if he’s trusted with offensive-zone starts and top-six wingers, he’s a strong mid-season riser.

Brink is more of a watch-and-react option in points-only. The Wild can offer him a meaningful role, but his leash and usage may fluctuate early. He’s the type of player you stash if you have deep benches or move quickly to add if he opens the season with top-six minutes and power-play exposure.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, the calculus shifts slightly. Quinn’s potential PP1 role still makes him a premium target, but you’ll want to monitor his shot volume and whether he contributes anything in hits or special-teams categories. Even modest peripherals combined with strong scoring can make him a multi-cat asset.

Coronato’s value in categories formats will depend on whether he becomes a high-volume shooter and how much time he spends in the top six. If he’s encouraged to fire the puck and sees consistent power-play work, he can be more than just a points-only specialist. Watch his early-season shot totals and usage closely.

Greig and Wright are especially intriguing in bangers leagues. As young centers with increasing responsibility, they’re more likely to contribute in secondary stats like shots, faceoff wins (in formats that count them) and perhaps some physical play. If either locks into a top-six center role with power-play time, their category profile could quickly outpace their name value.

Brink is more format-sensitive. If he’s not contributing much in hits or shots, he’s more of a streamer or bench option in bangers leagues until his scoring output forces your hand. In deeper multi-cat formats, though, simply being in a top-six role on Minnesota with second-unit power-play time can be enough to justify a roster spot.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty and keeper formats, this entire group deserves attention, but the priority order shifts slightly. Quinn’s combination of age, role and organizational commitment to youth makes him a cornerstone breakout bet. If he cements himself as a long-term top-six winger and power-play fixture in Buffalo, you’re looking at multiple seasons of strong production.

Wright is the highest-upside long-term center in this group. Once he’s fully established in Seattle’s top six, his all-around game should translate into reliable minutes and a stable offensive role. Dynasty managers should be patient; even if the breakout isn’t fully realized this season, the trajectory is what matters.

Coronato is a strong dynasty piece as well, particularly if Calgary continues to lean into him as a key offensive driver. His value spikes if he becomes a go-to option on the man advantage. Greig offers a slightly different appeal: his profile as a top-six center with the right age and experience mix suggests a steady, multi-year climb rather than a single explosive season.

Brink is more speculative in long-term formats, but that’s where you can profit. If he proves he can handle a key role on the Wild and stick in the top six, his dynasty value will rise quickly. Managers with deeper prospect benches should be willing to stash him ahead of the breakout rather than chasing him once he’s already producing.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Jack Quinn – Add (all leagues): Projected top-six winger with a strong chance at PP1 in Buffalo, giving him true breakout scoring upside.
Matt Coronato – Add (standard and deep): Increased opportunity on Calgary’s scoring lines and power play makes him a high-upside mid-round value.
Ridly Greig – Add in deep / Watch in shallow: Fits the classic breakout age and experience window with top-six center potential in Ottawa.
Shane Wright – Add in keeper/dynasty, Watch in redraft: Finally positioned for a significant role in Seattle with room to grow into a long-term top-six center.
Bobby Brink – Watchlist / Short-term stream: Could seize a key top-six role on Minnesota; be ready to pounce if his early-season usage spikes.

Fantasy Takeaways

Quinn is the priority breakout forward, with a realistic path to top-six minutes and top power-play usage in Buffalo.
Coronato is poised to benefit from Calgary’s changing lineup, giving him a clear opportunity to outperform his name value.
Greig and Wright both sit in the ideal breakout window as young centers gaining responsibility on their respective teams.
Brink is a high-upside watchlist option whose value hinges on securing and keeping a top-six role in Minnesota.
In dynasty and keeper formats, all five are worth aggressive consideration, with Quinn and Wright offering the strongest long-term ceilings.

Source: ESPN.com. See the original for full details.