Dustin Wolf’s contract extension talks with Calgary are ongoing; both sides indicate progress and a mutual desire to stay together, with a deal likely soon after consensus is reached. The Flames’ stance is to keep Wolf in the fold as a key part of their present and future goaltending plan.

Beyond Wolf, the piece maps a group of notable RFAs with clean paths to next-level deals: Marco Rossi, Luke Hughes, Mason McTavish, and Connor Zary are highlighted as top targets, with comps drawn from Cole Perfetti and Brock Faber to illustrate bridge vs. long-term payoff. The discussion also flags Alexander Holtz, Wyatt Kaiser, and Luke Evangelista as players whose upcoming contracts could reshape their teams’ cost structures and timelines, with teams like Minnesota, New Jersey, Anaheim, and Vegas weighing cap space and fit.

With the rumor mill noting Holtz turning down a qualifying offer and Trotz/Conroy weighing longer terms vs. shorter bridges, the league’s contract landscape suggests a decisive stretch ahead for both players and teams—a dynamic that fantasy managers should monitor as these deals crystallize and impact ice time, roles, and upside.

Mason McTavish is viewed as Anaheim’s future cornerstone, with six-year, $6.7 million projection circulating in the chatter. The Ducks’ cap space gives them room to lock in a core piece without strangling future moves, and McTavish’s steady production plus a Ryan O’Reilly-like game have evaluators optimistic about his long-term ceiling.

Connor Zary’s knee concerns cast a shadow over Calgary’s forward group, forcing Calgary to weigh risk versus reward as they shape Zary’s next contract. Brady Tkachuk’s clear commitment to Ottawa sets a tone for how bumpy negotiations with RFAs can impact franchise trajectories. Between Verbeek’s reputation for tough negotiations and these injuries and contracts, the league is watching closely how development, cap management, and extended rookie timelines influence fantasy value.

Ryan O’Reilly’s comparison as a benchmark for McTavish’s potential suggests a high ceiling if Anaheim lines him with the right pieces, while Zary’s health trajectory will heavily influence Calgary’s lineup construction and the Flames’ approach to development. The dialogue around these RFAs isn’t just about today’s skater totals; it’s about how teams balance long-term cores with cap reality, shaping value for fantasy managers this season and beyond.

Rumors surfaced that the White House considered banning Russian players from the NHL in 2024, a claim the White House and league officials publicly denied. The same chatter frames a separate, much more concrete hockey note: Mason McTavish of Anaheim is drawing monster interest as an offer-sheet candidate, with teams like Montreal and Carolina observing and Detroit reportedly pushing hardest to land him. Ducks cap space (over $20 million) makes a high-stakes move plausible, though any package would have to be massive to pry McTavish loose.

Among the targets tied to a McTavish-era swing, Detroit is discussed as a primary suitor, with Moritz Seider and Axel Sandin-Pellikka flagged as centerpiece pieces that could catalyze a deal. The Canadiens and Hurricanes are watching closely as well. If Detroit goes all-in, the fallout would reshape the Wings’ middle-core and shift McTavish’s fantasy value depending on where he lands and who supports him on the lineup. The Ducks, meanwhile, would have to recalibrate their rebuilding plan around cap math and asset returns.

In fantasy terms, McTavish’s stock would hinge on the destination’s supporting cast and ice time. Seider and Sandin-Pellikka’s involvement signals a dramatic shift in the risk/reward calculus for a potential McTavish deal, while Montreal and Carolina watching quietly underscores the broader market for a young, high-ceiling center with term remaining on his ELC/rookie control window.

Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks star in restricted free agent limbo, dominates the summer chatter as teams evaluate a high-price, franchise-altering move. Detroit, Montreal and Carolina have shown real interest, each eyeing a center who posted 22 goals and 30 assists in 76 games last season. Anaheim’s leverage hinges on his RFA status, meaning any trade would likely hinge on a substantial return and cap considerations.

Fantasy managers should watch the rapids of this saga: a McTavish landing spot could unlock elite minutes and top-line opportunity, especially with Detroit hungry for a spark and Montreal keen to add a genuine centerpiece. Carolina’s depth adds intrigue. Until a deal lands, McTavish remains a top-priority speculative asset with world-class upside.

Bowen Byram agreement eases Sabres’ off-season churn. Two-year term anchors BUF’s blueline and dampens talk of a defensive overhaul, giving fantasy managers a steadier floor in BUF exposure. Mason McTavish’s status is tied to Zegras’ fate; with Zegras moved, McTavish could become even more central, but interest would spike if Anaheim shops him. Marco Rossi’s market remains intriguing but quiet, with Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild viewers circling, while Pavel Zacha and Nick Suzuki hover as notable trade rumors. The August cap space lull persists, signaling that veteran centers may fetch premium, keeping rosters dynamic but not reckless. Fantasy takeaway: monitor stability at the top of lines, and be ready for late-summer shifts that could unlock or cap upside for mid-tier centers.

Canucks and Wild discussions around Rossi hint at a broader, patient market where teams chase value without overspending. Suzuki’s hypothetical two-center pairing with McTavish would be among the most interesting offseason pivots for fantasy rosters, potentially elevating both players if it comes to pass. The overall tone is quiet on major deals, but the right move could rapidly rewrite a few teams’ middle-of-the-lineup plans. In this environment, rostering players with clear, established roles and locked-in power-play opportunities remains the wisest path for fantasy success as August rolls on.