Chicago's defense is packed, and Wyatt Kaiser remains unsigned as camp nears. Kaiser and a fit with Connor Allen could form a sturdy third pair if Chicago sorts out nine to ten viable NHL defensemen on the roster. A wave of young blueliners—Del Mastro among them—has the organization eyeing movement to balance role and ice time, making this a true numbers game for the Blackhawks.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are shaping their camp approach with a crowded one-way contract situation, and the chatter around Jack Roslovic adds another layer to their roster shuffle. On the West, Luke Hughes looms as a key pressure point for New Jersey, while Auston Matthews primes to regain form after health trips. Mitch Marner’s 70-goal ceiling lingers as a fantasy anchor in Toronto, even as moves ripple through the lineup.

Mitch Marner spoke frankly about playoff heartbreak and the personal toll it took, including security at home after the Maple Leafs’ elimination and a harsh online backlash. He described leaving the Leafs—after nine seasons and a $96-million extension—and landing with Vegas in a high-stakes reset. The piece frames a bittersweet exit, with Marner reflecting on his bond with teammates and the reality of fan passion shaping a star’s next chapter, including fantasy implications of a fresh top-line role in Vegas.

Matthew Knies edges Jack Hughes for Team USA's Olympic roster, thanks to size, puck battles, and a reliable two-way game that translates to a playoff stage. Hughes remains elite, but injury history and a need for versatile wing play tilt the balance toward Knies.

The discussion leans into Matthews anchoring a top line with Guentzel and Tage Thompson, with Eichel slotting between Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk. Connor, Larkin, Keller, Trocheck and Boldy provide depth and PP options, leaving Knies in a critical, but off-top-line, role.

Lane Hutson's rising puck-moving ceiling and Knies's stage presence shape the roster and fantasy outlook. The outcome could redefine USA's gold bid and give fantasy managers a fresh angle on Olympic exposure and value.

Mitch Marner’s departure from Toronto looms large as Auston Matthews speaks for the first time since the trade chatter intensified. Matthews praised Marner as a friend and teammate, stressing that the move is part of hockey’s business side, yet he remains optimistic about the Leafs’ chances. He highlighted the job for Toronto now—new teammates, a growing core, and Matthew Knies taking a meaningful step forward. Toronto’s leadership has shifted, but Matthews insists the focus is on staying grounded, pushing through training camp, and taking it one day at a time.

The sign-and-trade to Vegas, a blockbuster eight-year, $96 million deal for Marner, reshapes the Leafs’ offensive landscape and tests Toronto’s depth. Matthews remains confident in the new roster, while Knies, coming off a career-best 58-point season, has drawn praise from his captain and earned an Olympic orientation camp invite, signaling a brighter horizon for Leafs fans and fantasy managers.

Knies’ development is central to Toronto’s immediate future, with Matthews noting he’s still “coming into his own” and poised to grow with more responsibility. As camp approaches, the Leafs will lean on their leadership core, blend in new faces, and aim to recapture playoff momentum. In Vegas, Marner adds a dynamic forward to a deep Knights lineup, potentially elevating the VGK top-six and complicating fantasy projections across the rivalry.