Milan Lucic signed a professional tryout with the St. Louis Blues, marking a high‑impact veteran addition as training camp nears. At 37 and after a 2023‑24 leave of absence, Lucic appeared in four games with Boston and had two assists, signaling that any roster spot would hinge on camp performance. The move places Lucic in competition for a Blues fourth line role, potentially boosting energy, forechecking, and penalty‑kill depth if he earns a full contract.

Lucic’s Cup pedigree with Boston in 2011 adds playoff credibility to a Blues group seeking veteran leadership and grit. Fantasy managers will monitor whether a successful camp translates to real ice time and PK minutes, especially if injuries or slumps buffet the Blues’ depth. Even as a PTO, Lucic narrows uncertainty for Blues’ bottom six and could influence how young forwards are deployed in September.

Boston Bruins and Blues are the teams most entwined in this narrative, with Lucic’s legacy tied to Boston’s championship era and his career now entering a potential encore with St. Louis. The development arc creates an intriguing fantasy angle: a healthy Lucic could push for a fourth‑line slot and add a containment presence that shapes opposite wings and line matches.

Milan Lucic is back in the NHL on a professional tryout with the St. Louis Blues, a veteran forward who has spent 17 seasons and 1,177 games across six NHL stops. At 37, his last action came in 2023-24 with Boston, where he tallied two assists in four games before stepping away for the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He’s completed the program and earned reinstatement, putting him in the Blues’ camp and in the running for a depth, physical-wood role.

This PTO signals depth-building for STL and a test of whether Lucic can still bring his hallmark edge to an NHL roster. His career totals—586 points on 233 goals and 353 assists—are a reminder of what a veteran presence can offer on a checking line, especially if he can recapture form and conditioning to win a contract and secure a regular-season slot.

Fantasy managers should watch for conditioning updates and camp impressions. A non-guaranteed PTO means Lucic must earn a deal; if he does, he could contribute as a fourth-line winger and special-teams depth, particularly on energy shifts and board battles. The Blues’ familiarity with his breadth of experience adds intrigue for late-round depth and potential in deeper leagues.

The Vancouver Canucks are weighing a bold shift at center, eyeing Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt from Boston as potential upgrades on the second line. Zacha’s size and penalty-killing reliability pair with a well-rounded two-way game, while Mittelstadt offers a higher-octane offensive ceiling. Boston’s transitional phase means both players could be available, but the price to acquire either would be steep. Vancouver’s front office is considering how a rapide upgrade could shift chemistry behind Elias Pettersson, and how much draft capital or young assets they’re willing to part with.

From a fantasy lens, the debate centers on immediate impact vs. long-term upside. Zacha could boost Vancouver’s penalty-kill time and provide steady secondary scoring, potentially raising the floor for the Canucks’ depth lines. Mittelstadt might push for a higher ceiling in scoring categories, but at a cost that could limit future flexibility. Either move would influence how fantasy managers value Vancouver’s centers this season and beyond.

Edmonton’s front office is again probing the waiver wire and contemplating late-summer moves to deepen the roster after rolling the dice on Kasperi Kapanen and Alec Regula last season. The Oilers could pursue a handful of waiver targets or swing a September trade as insurance for depth at forward, defense, and goaltending.

Projected targets include goaltenders Mike DiPietro and Colton Ellis, plus forward options Samuel Fagemo and Matej Blumel, with William Villeneuve providing right-handed defensive depth. Matt Grzelcyk surfaces as the marquee UFA defenseman the Oilers could chase, potentially shaping a third pairing or power-play role. The piece also flags Colorado, Chicago, and Calgary as logical bidders should Grzelcyk hit the open market, while noting Edmonton’s cap constraints as it weighs deals and possible restructures.