Florida Panthers eye a third straight Cup, but health and cap pressures loom as Tkachuk recovers and depth is tested. The league-wide preview hinges on goaltending certainty, growth from young cores, and high-stakes off-season moves—from Swayman’s bid to reclaim No.1 in Boston to Hughes’ health in New Jersey and Marner’s Vegas exit in Toronto.

Beyond those headline questions, the piece assesses defensive pivots in Vegas, depth shifts in Minnesota with Kaprizov’s contract talk, and young guns like Demidov in Montreal and Celebrini in San Jose eyeing breakout years. ESPN also maps out 100 exclusive games and a rich out-of-market package as fans plot fantasy rosters.

Maple Leafs add Matias Maccelli to the mix, eyeing a likely right-wing slot beside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies after Marner’s move to Vegas. Newcomers Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Michael Pezzetta bring size, grit, and versatility, while Maccelli aims to prove he can contribute on both ends. Training camp will decide how the rotation threads together, with the lineup shifting to adapt to Toronto’s revamped forward corps.

Toronto’s new depth pictures a bigger, tougher group with Roy handling PK/PP duties, Joshua bringing physicality and scoring touch, and Pezzetta providing an edge for the fourth line. The Leafs will chase a deeper, more balanced attack this season, and fantasy managers should monitor how quickly these newcomers earn roles and power-play time.

The Leafs’ Core Four debate persists as Mitch Marner’s future exits cast doubt, yet Matthews, Nylander and Tavares remain central scorers, with Matt Knies potentially joining to maintain balance and depth. The Blue Jays’ depth approach surfaces as a cross-sport benchmark for teams relying on multiple contributors rather than star power alone.

Ken Dryden’s passing sparks a look at goalie-size history, from the era’s tall, athletic netminders to today’s cap-driven mix. The piece threads in Marner’s market image, the nickname Chief for Craig Berube, and Leafs’ signing moves—Joshua, Roy, Maccelli—painting a long-haul blueprint that blends talent, depth and smart acquisitions for sustained success.