Kaprizov’s extension talks with Minnesota Wild linger, with reports of an eight-year deal near 16 million AAV on the table but no signing yet. The stalemate keeps the Wild’s long-term cap plan murky as training camp approaches.

Last season Kaprizov was elite when healthy, posting 56 points in 41 games, underscoring his value as a franchise cornerstone even as injury absences fuel trade talk. The looming free-agent dynamics around Kaprizov also echo the broader star market, including Connor McDavid as another top-tier pending UFA for 2025-26.

The WSITH update highlights optimism from the Wild front office, yet the clock ticks. The next month could be decisive for Kaprizov’s future in Minnesota and for how aggressively the club guards its core amid cap constraints.

Edmonton’s path to an elite No.1 goalie before the trade deadline is narrow; only a handful of duos in the league could realistically upgrade a starter ahead of Skinner/Pickard, making a seismic move unlikely.

The piece catalogs plausible targets: Gibson and Talbot (Detroit), Sorokin/Varlamov/Ingram (Islanders), Demko and Lankinen (Canucks), Mrazek (Ducks), Jarry and Merzlikins (stars in rumor mill). It also notes McDavid’s extension chatter could be a distraction, so fantasy managers should brace for a limited upgrade and plan around an unsettled crease.

New Jersey Devils coaching staff locked in and a 13-game nationally televised slate set this season, signaling a push for fantasy-friendly exposure around the club. Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes grab headlines as NHL Network’s top-25 born this century, underscoring breakout potential and increased Team USA coverage. Connor McDavid voices a clear Edmonton focus, while Mitch Marner addresses Leafs Nation and safety questions, shaping early-season narratives and fantasy implications.

Expect Hughes targets to ride top-line minutes and power-play opportunities if Devils’ systems hold. McDavid remains fantasy royalty, but external Toronto chatter could influence distribution. These threads frame day-to-day fantasy decisions and season-long upside for managers tracking Devils updates against the star-loaded broader NHL landscape.

Canada’s Olympic plans center on a Four Nations pipeline, led by Crosby, McDavid, Reinhart, Point, MacKinnon and Makar, with the roster built to win and finalized after a Calgary orientation camp. Cooper compares the process to fine-tuning a Ferrari as Armstrong weighs a wide pool and a three-goalie race featuring Binnington, Hill and Montembeault. The Olympic return of NHL stars is framed around front-of-net play and depth, with a January roster reveal ahead of Milan’s Feb. 12 opener against Czechia.

Goaltending remains the most open competition, while the 25-man Canada squad will blend veteran leadership with high-end talent. The setup balances NHL club commitments with international success, aiming for a gold-medal performance in Milan-Cortina and signaling a new era of Canada at the Games after 2014.

News from Calgary emphasizes a structured, competitive process: players must earn their spots nightly, lines will be tested, and scouts will parse an eligible group of 50-plus names. The strategy centers on winning battles around the net and ensuring goaltending consistency, all under a clear mandate to excel on the international stage.