Victor Olofsson is headed to Colorado on a one-year deal, adding a proven middle-six scoring threat to the Avalanche as the 2025-26 season approaches. The 30-year-old has 20-goal seasons on his resume and posted 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games with Vegas last year after a lengthy run with Buffalo that included a career-best 28 goals in 2022-23. Across 2019-23, he produced at a 25-goal, 52-point pace per 82 games with 32 power-play goals, underscoring his offensive punch and special-teams value. Now, in the thin early stretch of Colorado’s depth, Olofsson could provide another reliable winger for the middle six and contribute on the power play. His defensive numbers showed improvement after joining Vegas, a factor that could influence Bednar’s deployment if he carries the trend into the Avalanche system. In the playoffs, he logged two goals and two assists in nine games, mostly with the man advantage, signaling a potential postseason-role ceiling if he stays productive. Colorado opens the year without Logan O’Connor due to hip surgery, and the bottom six has at least one more vacancy beyond that, even after re-signing Joel Kiviranta. The top two lines look set with MacKinnon and Brock Nelson centering flanked by a mix of Necas, Lehkonen, Landeskog and Nichushkin, but Olofsson adds depth behind them. With Kiviranta back and Olofsson in the mix, Ross Colton, Jack Drury and Parker Kelly face competition for third-line minutes, improving Colorado’s flexibility and threat level in the middle frame.

Connor McDavid anchors the 2025–26 season as the benchmark for NHL excellence, with FanDuel listing him at +200 for Hart Trophy supremacy, a reflection of his sustained, all‑around dominance. The MVP race centers on whether any challenger can truly threaten his standard, given his speed, vision, and clutch play. A slate of contenders—Auston Matthews, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jack Eichel—enter the season with elite scoring chops and the potential to push McDavid in a high-stakes battle for the award, while Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov loom as credible late‑season accelerants. This mix shapes team planning, fantasy projections, and bettor expectations as the season unfurls.

Auston Matthews projects to keep Toronto on offensive tilt, with a 50‑goal pace within reach if the supporting cast clicks and health cooperates. Kaprizov brings relentless energy and playmaking to Minnesota, a healthy 80‑plus game run could push him into triple‑digit point territory and MVP contention. Eichel offers steady two‑way leadership with Vegas, where structure and playoff pedigree bolster his numbers. The ongoing narrative hinges on health, depth, and how defenses adapt to McDavid’s multifaceted impact, making the MVP race one of the season’s defining stories for fantasy managers and bettors alike.

Florida Panthers hold the early betting throne as the team to beat, anchored by a familiar core and reinforced by steady off-season moves. Re-signings of Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad keep leadership and production stable, while Jeff Petry slides in on the blueline to shore up defensive depth. The club is leaning into continuity, adding young talents like Michael Benning and Mackie Samoskevich to accelerate development without disturbing the championship rhythm. Five-plus-goal games remain a Panthers hallmark, and their penalty kill should stay top-tier with this blend of grit and discipline.

Edmonton Oilers sit just behind, chasing a breakthrough after consecutive Finals losses. The core trio of McDavid, Draisaitl, and Skinner remains, with Jake Walman and Evan Bouchard addressing back-end depth and experienced bottom-six forwards boosting secondary scoring. Edmonton also emphasizes special teams—improving PK elements and faceoffs—while maintaining a powerful power play that led the league. Vegas pivots with Mitch Marner, injecting elite playmaking into a group already featuring Eichel and Hertl, while Carolina and Colorado round out the top contenders with Ehlers’ speed and Landeskog’s anticipated return, respectively, adding depth, structure, and playoff pedigree to their rosters.

The Final Period notes a tighter, more variable race than ever, with health, chemistry, and unforeseen development shaping the 2026 landscape. Carolina’s forecheck and possession hold steady, Colorado’s transition and speed remain dangerous, and Florida’s veteran leadership keeps the team poised for a rare three-peat attempt. Across the board, teams emphasize depth, development pipelines, and reliable goaltending as the season approaches, creating a wide-open championship window for 2026.

Hockey Canada has named 92 players for the national orientation camp set for August 26-28, 2025, as they prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. This group includes 42 NHL players, featuring stars like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Nathan MacKinnon, representing a promising depth for the Olympic roster.

The camp will facilitate the integration of established players with rising talents such as Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, who were the top picks in the last two NHL drafts. The roster also includes key players from the victorious 4 Nations team. Participation in this camp does not guarantee a spot on the final Olympic roster, which is due by December 31, but it is critical for evaluating player chemistry and leadership.