Connor McDavid isn’t in a rush to re-sign with Edmonton, and the Oilers are playing the long game. LeBrun says the negotiation will be quick once McDavid is ready, but the key question is what length and structure he wants to commit to. The earliest worry for Oilers fans could come at season start if there’s no extension, yet McDavid’s leverage is clear: he wants to understand the team’s direction before sealing a multi-year deal. Leon Draisaitl’s extension a year ago provides context, but the center of gravity remains McDavid’s timeline and the franchise’s future shape.

Edmonton will stay patient and cordial, building the path to a deal around McDavid’s heart and mind. If or when he signs, expect a compact, five-minute negotiation rather than a protracted auction. The broader rumor mill about All-Star concepts and other contracts underscores how fragile cap planning remains, but this is squarely a McDavid-first situation that could redefine the Oilers’ ceiling for years to come.

Calgary Flames show progress as Mikael Backlund remains open to staying in Calgary with one year left, while Connor Zary edges toward a three-year deal around 3.5 million cap hit. Toronto's goaltending depth is being reworked with Anthony Stolarz in play, and David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok could be moved to adjust the lineup. Carter Hart draws Flyers interest from buyers, Mario Ferraro remains a rumor mill staple for Sharks, and Quinn Hughes faces noise without a firm long-term decision in Vancouver. Carey Price’s contract remains a sticking point for the Canadiens. Fantasy implications center on Calgary’s balance of veteran presence with youth, Toronto’s depth shifts, and goaltending volatility across the league.

Expect Zary to push for increased ice time behind Backlund, with Calgary leveraging leadership and a competitive middle six. Hart’s market could reshape Philadelphia’s goaltending picture, while the chatter around Ferraro and Hughes hints at defensive depth and opportunity for breakout seasons regardless of movement. Price’s cap situation in Montreal keeps fantasy rosters cautious, while Leafs’ and Sharks’ rumblings underscore how roster maintenance can swing short- and mid-term value across fantasy lineups.

Canada’s sports fandom tilts heavily toward hockey, with 58% following the NHL and half of women surveyed confirming NHL appeal. The NHL leads the national follow-rate, while the NFL, MLB, CFL and NBA fill the next spots, underscoring a hockey-driven fantasy landscape even as new leagues like PWHL and the Toronto Tempo enter the conversation. Star power dominates, with Connor McDavid topping favorites, Sidney Crosby close behind in many regions, and Auston Matthews rounding out the big five; Cole Caufield leads in Quebec, and Brad Marchand looms as Atlantic pride.

For fantasy, the narrative centers on the five anchors McDavid, Crosby, Matthews, Caufield, and Marchand, whose production streams shape early-season bidding and lineup construction. The report’s regional nuances and the rise of women’s hockey hint at evolving fantasy ecosystems beyond the NHL, suggesting depth in cross-league exposure as the sport expands its footprint across Canada and beyond.