Eight nations will compete in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, staged as an invitational with a later qualification round. Europe hosts a European pool and North America a North American pool, with semifinals and final anchored in one NA city. Russia’s potential return looms as a wildcard: current talk stresses that if Russia participates, Sweden, Finland, and possibly Czechia or Slovakia could bow out, reshaping rosters and fantasy value years ahead. Markets in Europe and North America are being scouted for bids, with expansion possibilities down the road.

Philadelphia's three-year rebuild has yielded a consensus top-10 NHL pipeline, led by Matvei Michkov and a deep 2025 class (Porter Martone, Jack Nesbitt, Carter Amico, Jack Murtagh, Shane Vansaghi, Matthew Gard). Pronman slots Philly No. 7, highest in the Metro, after an A-grade draft haul that fortifies depth behind a budding core.

Bonk and Luchanko anchor the back end, Zavragin offers goalie upside, and Zegras is invoked as a homecoming thread in the broader rebuild narrative. A Sept. 8 top-20 breakdown should sharpen the fantasy picture as the system converts toward NHL impact.

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.