Mitch Marner arrives in the 17–32 tier with Vegas, pairing him with Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev to boost multi-category upside and power-play production. Braden Point and Sam Reinhardt offer solid two-way floors on balanced teams, while Sidney Crosby remains a durable, 80+ point anchor with steady peripherals. Artemi Panarin and Clayton Keller provide high-end scoring ceilings in top-six roles, with Jake Gensel and Roope Hintz offering reliable 80–90 point ranges and solid peripherals as late-round seeds.

Rasmus Dahlin stands out as a high-floor defenseman who contributes across categories, and Andre Vasilevskiy remains the keystone goalie behind a strong Tampa Bay core. This slice favors high-volume shooters and elite PP specialists, with the Vegas stack a realistic pivot for leverage. The goaltending slate should be navigated with Vasilevskiy as a reliable anchor in this phase of drafts.

Overall, this second-round window rewards players who carry multi-cat appeal, top-line assignments, and strong power-play upside, while balancing health and team context as the season looms.

McDavid's remarks spotlight a potential leverage moment for Edmonton, as a looming free-agent scenario could force a rapid re-think of cap and core strategy. Fantasy managers should treat him as an elite anchor, but monitor Oilers' moves for signs of lasting contention versus windowing deals.

Kaprizov's extension chatter underscores Minnesota's urgency to lock a franchise pillar amid tight cap pressures, shaping West pricing and surrounding-role value. In fantasy, Kaprizov remains a top-five asset, though roster construction around him must weather cap realities.

Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews anchor the Leafs' ceiling, but off-season contract chatter adds risk to Toronto's core. The pod also flags NHL rule changes that could shift trade timing, LTIR usage, and rookie signings, all of which may tilt fantasy values as camps open.

Mitch Marner’s 100-point production is the Leafs’ central question this season, forcing Austin Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares to shoulder more playmaking and scoring while internal options like Dakota Joshua and a reworked bottom six push for relief. Toronto’s path hinges on depth, cap flexibility, and smart re-signings that keep 1A/1B lanes open for next year’s targets.

San Jose overhauls its blue line with Dmitri Orlov and John Klingberg, while Sam Dickinson, Will Smith and Quint Musty battle for NHL spots amid a broader youth surge. Utah Mammoth, led by Clayton Keller, eye a playoff push as veterans blend with rising talents, underscoring a league-wide tilt toward balancing proven strength with hotly contested developmental bets.

Mitch Marner's 102-point production casts a long shadow over Toronto's training-camp plans, forcing a heavy internal push from Matthew Knies, William Nylander, and Max Domi as the Leafs reshuffle for 2024-25. Austin Matthews could shoulder more scoring responsibility, supported by Matias Michelli and the newly minted depth. Dakota Joshua's mid-six bite and John Tavares's hometown discount add scale and cap flexibility, while Morgan Riley and Brandon Carlo anchor a defense aimed at a steadier, more complete game.

Leafs fans will watch Knies step into a larger role, Nylander adapt to a playmaking-heavy surrounding cast, and Matthews navigate a less-elite setup without Marner. The strategic moves—Joshua's addition, Tavares's deal, and Riley-Carlo pairings—keep Toronto competitive now and cap-friendly for a big free-agent push next summer. The off-season math seeks depth, identity, and sustained scoring without surrendering future flexibility.