Chase Bradley’s grind from Oakville High School to pro hockey showcases a relentless journey: year after year of balancing school, long weekend drives for the AYHL, then USHL and UConn, before betting on himself with a two-year Avalanche contract and a pro path that includes the Colorado Eagles and an NHL debut. His profile as a versatile, cheap depth forward fits the Avalanche’s trophy-hunting blueprint.

With Mark Letestu steering the Eagles and Jared Bednar’s insistence on players who can pop when needed, Bradley represents a strategic asset in Colorado’s pipeline. If injuries or roster needs open a lane, the 23-year-old’s gritty two-way game could land him more NHL looks as the Avalanche chase Cup contention.

Sidney Crosby trade chatter swells as Pittsburgh weighs a potential rebuild. Friedman notes Crosby will drive the decision, with timing tied to the Olympics and late-season form. A pre-Olympics move is unlikely, but a late-season pivot to Colorado or Montreal could reshape his fantasy outlook based on new linemates and deployment. Even at 38, Crosby’s elite minutes and power-play presence keep him central to fantasy plans whichever jersey he wears.

For fantasy managers, the key is how deployment shifts with Pittsburgh’s direction. The possibility of a fresh start elsewhere injects upside and risk alike, as Crosby’s historical pace and vision meet unfamiliar surroundings and teammates. The storyline remains unsettled, but the prospect of Crosby in a different uniform adds a new layer to the season’s fantasy calculus.