Matt Grzelcyk signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks after a training-camp tryout, signaling a veteran presence on Chicago’s blue line as the season opens against Florida. The move adds a steady, puck-moving defender to a young backend and immediately elevates Chicago’s depth in the opening matchup.

Grzelcyk, 31, split last season with Pittsburgh, tallying 39 assists in 82 games and a career-high 101 blocked shots. He spent eight seasons with Boston, collecting 25 goals and 110 assists in 445 games. His track record as a reliable defender with playmaking ability could help Chicago’s transition game and special-teams depth this season.

Luke Hughes signed with the New Jersey Devils for a long-term deal after a tug-of-war over term and $9 million AAV, signaling the Devils’ commitment to their core as they chase a pivotal season.

Meanwhile, Lukas Reichel remains a hot rumor as Chicago weighs options for him, with late-round offers reported from Montreal, Vegas and Carolina while the Hawks assess the best long-term path. There’s also talk of Jacob Markström in Devils chatter, underscoring the league’s ongoing battle to pair young talent with veteran stability ahead of the season.

Mikko Rantanen’s Dallas debut reshapes the Stars’ Cup odds, pairing his two-way game with a thriving Oettinger-led net. Colorado’s return of Landeskog shores up a veteran core around MacKinnon and Makar, while Blackwood’s addition gives the Avalanche a reliable postseason floor. The Central remains a brutal gauntlet with Winnipeg, Chicago and Nashville in pursuit.

Gulutzan takes over in Dallas as Trotz and Tourigny loom in leadership roles elsewhere, Bedard’s Chicago era begins, and Utah’s young core signals a pipeline move. The projected finish stays Colorado, Dallas, Winnipeg at the top, with a crowded chase behind them and fantasy implications across every line.

Smelling salts have become a routine pre-faceoff jolt on NHL benches, interpreted by players as a quick switch into game mode. Dubois, now with the Capitals, says it helps him click into competition, and peers like Robert Thomas and Seth Jarvis describe the wake-up buzz as real, while Connor Bedard notes it’s a personal choice. The practice sits amid safety debates and evolving policies across hockey and football.

The NHL studies the policy, Hockey Canada and the PWHL restrict usage in youth and pro settings, and the NFL has tightened access amid FDA warnings. Capitals, Blues, Hurricanes, Blackhawks and Panthers illustrate a spectrum of opinion on its value and risks for fantasy lineups.