Contract chatter swirls around Bedard’s next deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, setting the tone for long-term value as he enters restricted free agency after this season. Edmonton’s Jake Walman stands as a free agent-to-be, clouding blue-line usage. Hart’s extension remains on the radar, while Kaprizov’s and Nazar’s deal dynamics offer comparables and benchmarks. Skinner’s and Oilers’ cap decisions shade goaltending timelines and defense pairings ahead of fantasy rosters this season.

NHL training camps open with a fresh energy as a new CBA brings concrete changes: shorter camps, an 84-game schedule, and a more relaxed gameday dress code. Players at the Vegas media tour weighed in on what they like, debated playoff formats, and shared their favorite cheat meals, hype songs and quirky equipment habits. The consensus is optimism for healthier seasons and smarter workload management, with fantasy-minded fans watching for breakout targets and late-season surges.

Spencer Knight signs a three-year, $17.5 million extension with the Chicago Blackhawks, locking in the 24-year-old as the team’s goalie of the future after a March trade that sent Seth Jones to Florida. Knight projects as the core of Chicago’s rebuild, with Arvid Söderblom in the wings and Petr Mrazek departed. Knight went 5-8-2 in 15 appearances for Chicago post-trade, carrying a career 49-33-9 record with five shutouts as the Blackhawks chart a path back toward respectability.

Spencer Knight signed a three-year, $17.5 million extension with the Chicago Blackhawks, locking in a potential long-term starter as Chicago rebuilds. The 24-year-old arrived in March in a swap that sent Seth Jones to Florida for Knight and a first-round pick, signaling Knight as the crease anchor while Arvid Söderblom adds depth and Petr Mrazek departs. Knight’s size, athleticism and calm presence give Chicago a clear path to a stabilized goalie core over the next several seasons.

Kirill Kaprizov reportedly rejected an eight-year, $16 million cap-hit offer, aiming for about $18–$19 million per year (roughly 20% of the cap) with a no-movement clause. The Wild insist talks are ongoing and won’t publicly air trade interests. The cap trajectory could rise toward $170 million in coming years, potentially normalizing long-term deals. Potential suitors include the New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Chicago Blackhawks.