Milan Lucic will try to earn a Blues roster spot with a camp tryout, a return to a league he last skated in 2023. The 37 year old brings a recognizable physical edge and a veteran presence that can anchor a Blues bottom six and provide energy on the forecheck. His long NHL arc includes a key role in the Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup run, plus stints with the Kings, Oilers and Flames, before a brief return to Boston in 2023 that yielded a handful of assists before an ankle injury and a subsequent long term injury reserve. Off ice turmoil from a 2021 family incident is noted, but Lucic went through the Players Assistance Program and has been reinstated. If he signs, his blend of grit and experience could stabilize a rough edge for St. Louis but his on ice value will hinge on role clarity, health and whether the Blues view him as a fourth line floor penalty killer or a more versatile forward. The Blues are balancing youth with proven character, and Lucic could be the latest piece in that mix, especially if they want a reliable locker room presence and depth for a postseason push.

Lucic has 233 goals, 353 assists and 1301 penalty minutes across 17 NHL seasons, with a career best 32 goals in 2010 11. His playoff pedigree includes an assist on the overtime winner in Game 7 versus Montreal in the 2011 Cup run. His return to the NHL after the Player Assistance Program reinstatement signals a serious effort to extend a lengthy career, and fantasy managers will want to monitor camp reports and potential contract details. If he earns a regular NHL role, he could contribute as a physical catalyst and veteran presence, though his scoring upside will be limited by age and the Blues depth at forward.

Nazem Kadri sits at the center of summer chatter as Calgary keeps its fingers crossed. An analyst on TSN 690 says Kadri fits Calgary but notes nothing short of an offer the Flames cannot refuse would move him, as Calgary aims to push from 96 points into playoff contention. Calgary’s stance is clear: Kadri is a core piece and a trade would only come if it strengthens the team long term.

Interest from Montreal and other clubs like Carolina, Detroit and New Jersey is acknowledged, yet realistic trade scenarios are hampered by Kadri’s contract and Calgary’s appetite to remain a contender with established center depth. Kadri’s production last season (35 goals, 67 points in 82 games) underscores his value, while Hockey Canada’s Olympic snub adds fuel to his motivation for the 2025-26 season.

The Canadian roster snub, Kadri’s track record, and Calgary’s contending mindset shape a quiet summer where Kadri remains a linchpin. For fantasy managers, Kadri staying in Calgary means a stable middle-six center with significant PP time, while a move would trigger notable shifts in Calgary’s lineup and fantasy projections.

Rapid City Rush announced the signing of Rasmus Ekström for the 2025-26 season, a 20-year-old Swede poised to begin his professional career after two productive junior campaigns in North America. Ekström arrives following a standout stint in the Western Hockey League with Spokane, where he produced 84 points (41 goals, 43 assists) in 102 regular-season games and added 15 points in 21 playoff contests. His 2024-25 season represented career highs across goals, assists, and points (26-29-55), signaling immediate offensive upside as he makes the leap to pro hockey with the Rush, the ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames. Ekström developed in Sweden before moving to North America, competing at Sweden’s top junior level and logging several professional appearances.

The move underscores Rapid City’s ongoing link to Calgary’s NHL organization while presenting Ekström with an opportunity to establish himself in North American pro hockey. For fantasy-minded observers, Ekström’s junior scoring pedigree and playoff success suggest potential late-blooming upside if he earns top-six minutes on a defensively responsible Rush squad. The next step will hinge on how quickly he translates his playmaking skills and goal-scoring instincts to the professional pace and physicality.

Overall, the signing adds an intriguing offensive prospect to Rapid City’s ranks. Ekström’s development path—Sweden to the WHL to the pro game—maps a trajectory that could yield a versatile winger capable of contributing on both even-strength and power-play scenarios as he acclimates to pro hockey in the ECHL and beyond.