Anaheim Ducks aim to flip defensive depth into scoring by shopping young blue-liners for a top-six addition, keeping Trouba and Gudas on the shelf if the playoff push stalls. The rumor mill ties Ducks to marquee names like Mitch Marner, Jason Robertson and Martin Necas, while the Kings chase forward prices around Adrian Kempe’s extension. Hutson and Reinhart surface in broader market chatter, with Rossi’s deal shaping McTavish talks.

Nashville’s Luke Evangelista faces a contract tug-of-war: the Predators want long-term security, leveraging eight-year-cap flexibility in the last window to sign eight-year deals; Evangelista and agent Judd Moldaver push for a bridge to maximize security as the cap keeps rising. In Anaheim, Pat Verbeek’s stance on term could push Mason McTavish toward a shorter deal, reshaping his early fantasy upside. The contract tension sets up a dual-track fantasy arc for both players as negotiations heat up.

The dynamic affects roles, minutes, and power-play exposure, with Evangelista potentially stepping into top-line duty on a longer leash if a long-term deal lands, while a bridge could keep his yearly price down but delay ceiling acceleration. For McTavish, a shorter-term path might turbocharge leverage for more minutes and PP time if he proves himself, even as the Ducks balance risk and reward in a growing core.

Mason McTavish sits at the nexus of Anaheim’s long‑term plans and a rising fantasy ceiling. Negotiations haven’t produced a deal yet, as Anaheim weighs term and salary against his growing playmaking and two‑way game. McTavish could move from a current 2C projection to a true 1C with continued development, but the price tag will shape his role in fantasy lineups this season.

Filip Gustavsson is pursuing a longer contract with Minnesota, with both sides motivated to close in September. His ask sits alongside Wallstedt’s emergence, giving Minnesota goaltending depth and negotiating leverage. A target AAV around $6–7 million is plausible if the Wild commit long term, especially with Fleury in the fold and Wallstedt ready to back him up.

Marc‑Andre Fleury’s looming role as mentor shores up Minnesota’s goaltending plan, a factor in Gustavsson’s extension calculus. The veteran’s experience provides insurance and a pathway for both netminders to grow, potentially lifting Gustavsson’s confidence and the team’s readiness for a long‑term deal. Wallstedt’s proximity to the NHL adds another layer, letting Gustavsson show he can anchor a long‑term deal while Wallstedt rises.