Active players without a Stanley Cup remain fantasy gold, and the latest analysis spotlights how close several veteran stars are to lifting Lord Stanley. Brent Burns tops the ongoing list by career point shares, now aligned with Colorado on a one-year deal that keeps him squarely in Cup contention. Edmonton’s dynamic duo, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, continue to drive a high-ceiling offense as they chase another Finals run. Connor Hellebuyck headlines the goalie front for Winnipeg, while Mark Scheifele provides steady two-way value as the Jets push for a breakthrough. In Florida, Nate Schmidt and Tomas Nosek joined the Panthers last season and now eye a first Cup after the franchise’s triumph. Betting boards tilt toward Edmonton, Colorado and Florida, with odds shifting across operators as the 2026 chase intensifies.

Avalanche power play overhaul is the focal point for 2025-26 as Colorado shifts to a new voice with Hakstol and a training camp packed with both returning stars and fresh options. The unit faces the challenge of reviving volume and quality of chances after a brutal seven-game playoff with Dallas, trusting MacKinnon and Makar while layering in Landeskog, Nichushkin, Olofsson and Burns to diversify looks and unleash two potent setups.

With Burns at the top of the setup and a mix of net-front and bumper options—Landeskog, Nichushkin, Lehkonen, Rantanen and others—the Avs aim for a flexible approach that could resemble PP1 and PP1.5 rather than a single elite unit. Training camp will reveal how the new depth translates to ice time, with a core built to push Colorado back to the top of the NHL power-play charts.

Colorado’s offseason was busier behind the scenes than it appeared. The core remains intact, but the Avalanche reshaped depth, cap space, and staff as they push toward a 2025-26 run. Brent Burns’ addition shores up a right-handed defense core, while cash-saving moves — Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus — clear space for Burns, Kiviranta, and a guardrail of young players. Colorado also locked in Nabokov as a goaltender-in-waiting, kept Manson and Johnson’s presence, and shuffled AHL leadership to align with the NHL club. The club sits with roughly $2.1 million in cap space early, plus flexibility to hold O’Connor out until his return. The plan: carry 14 forwards, six defensemen, and two goalies at the start, bank cap space, then target a natural 3C near the trade deadline if needed. The rookie tournament in September will hint at the final depth chart, and patience could pay off as they navigate a tight cap.

Beyond the roster moves, Colorado’s appetite for quiet efficiency stands out. The organization revamped its staff — Hakstol replaces Bennett on the bench, and Popovic and Letestu shift roles in development and the Eagles system — signaling a holistic approach to power plays, coaching, and player development. The path to success remains the same: balance the lineup, protect the core, and leverage cap flexibility to chase late-season upgrades. The message is clear: the Avalanche aren’t sprinting, they’re positioning for a measured, sustainable push toward another deep run.

Erik Karlsson’s off-season chatter continues to swirl around Pittsburgh and Detroit, with teams weighing his high-end power-play value against salary and five-on-five impact. Detroit is a frequent name in the rumor mill, but the fit isn’t clean: cap expectations, goal tempo at five-on-five, and the potential cost in youth and prospects complicate any move. Other threads touch Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk as veteran targets, and Burns surfaces as a Sharks-era cautionary benchmark. For fantasy, Karlsson’s PP workload and Detroit’s decision window matter most, Kadri’s floor with PP upside, and van Riemsdyk’s veteran presence could shift usage in new land. A late trades-and-deadline angle could move both rosters more than a quiet summer would.

As the Colorado Avalanche navigate their offseason, they're facing pivotal decisions, particularly with Martin Necas potentially demanding a hefty contract based on his expected performance. With rumors swirling, the Avalanche might consider a deal in the four to five-year range. Additionally, the team is grappling with questions regarding its defense, notably concerning Samuel Girard's future and the status of other players like Sam Malinski. This season is poised to differ from the last, as coach Jared Bednar plans to give younger players more opportunities in depth roles, a necessary adjustment for developing talent.

Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals are on the hunt for skillful talent to enhance their lineup. Possible candidates include Justin Sourdif and Yegor Chinakhov, both of whom could provide secondary scoring. With patience being key, the Capitals may opt to focus on player development within their system, setting the stage for future assessments and strategic moves.