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.