Calgary heads into camp with leadership anchored by Mackenzie Weegar and a still-in-Calgary Rasmus Andersson. Weegar is the likely voice on the blue line and could grow into a captaincy role if Andersson remains. Top pairings look like Weegar–Andersson, with Bahl and Parekh pushing for major roles and Hanley providing flexible depth. Parekh's 19-year-old status and possible AHL eligibility loom large as camp opens. Bubble players Bean, Miromanov, Brzustewicz, Solovyov, Kuznetsov will push for scarce spots.

In goal, Wolf carries the workload as the starter with Vladar departed, while Cooley and Prosvetov duel for the backup job. Prosvetov brings NHL experience and a recent KHL stint to the table, which could tilt the race. Preseason decisions on defense depth and the goalie tandem will shape the Flames’ early-season ceiling.

Second-tier NHL free agents are waiting on the market to set the pace, with big names like Kempe, Nylander, and Tuch watching closely as the Eichel deal becomes the benchmark. Necas, Andersson, and veteran options are taking a patient approach, while Calgary and Colorado weigh long-term bets and potential deadline moves. Pittsburgh and its cap reality drive trade chatter around Rust, Rakell, Crosby, and Karlsson, with the Islanders and other clubs sizing risk in a tight cap era.

Veterans, draft picks, and blue-line flexibility shape early offseason value and fantasy upside, as teams calibrate term and AAV under the cap while the market inches toward clarity as preseason nears.

NHL rumor cycle centers on contract tempo for a slate of young stars and noted veterans. Logan Cooley sits on an entry level with Utah Mammoth, talks paused as he focuses on this season, with a likely in season revisit. Dylan Holloway may see extensions hinge on a strong start in St. Louis, while Bobby McMann has yet to enter talks with Toronto. Carter Hart's value is tethered to Vegas cap gymnastics, and Kiefer Sherwood remains unsigned in Vancouver. Rasmus Andersson remains a hot commodity with Dallas leading the charge and several rivals circling, including Toronto, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Columbus, and Boston. Earlier chatter between Vegas and Calgary faded, but teams still sniff around.

Fantasy players should monitor early-season production from Cooley, Holloway, and Hart as potential catalysts for contract chatter that could shift roles or incentives. Andersson's market activity signals a broader right shot defensemen premium; keep an eye on how cap space and LTIR usage shape signings. With inquiries spanning Canadiens, Senators, and others, the coming weeks could redraw depth charts and power dynamics across the league.

Colorado and Martin Necas are in active talks as Necas nears the end of a two-year, $6.5M cap hit deal. A $10M target would test the Avs’ payroll, especially with a Cale Makar extension looming in two years and Mikko Rantanen-like implications. The cap math could shape moves this summer.

Sidney Crosby’s potential destination fuels a win-now market; Avalanche and Hurricanes top the list, with Calgary’s defense market also alive as Rasmus Andersson’ status lingers and Flames depth behind Weegar is being weighed. The joke of a rumor cycle touches Ottawa’s Shane Pinto, Devils, and Penguins as teams gauge value and fit.

Flames’ new GM Conroy has Andersson in play, but Calgary’s depth on right-handed defense—Weegar, Parekh, Brzustewicz, Pachal—gives a hedge against a push for a big-money move. Calgary, Ottawa, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh are all in the mix as cap realities intersect with win-now timelines.