Leafs preseason spotlighted a roster puzzle: replace Marner’s impact without sacrificing depth, with Machelli nudging into a top-six role and young players like Marella or Robertson pushing for ice time. Waivers and bottom-line moves loom as Toronto braces for opening night under cap pressures. Across the Atlantic, Ottawa pushes for toughness and Montreal leans into grit, while Florida and Tampa Bay remain proven threats.

Detroit’s pace and the West’s hierarchy—Colorado, Vegas and Dallas—set the broader tone for a season where depth, speed, and go-to scorers decide outcomes. The cap talks, long-term deals and franchise cash flows color every decision, underscoring how the game increasingly hinges on financial strategy as much as on ice.

Fantasy implications swirl around which Leafs emerge as reliable depth producers and whether Robertson or Doy can leap into consistent roles. For Ottawa and Montreal, values live in bottom-six grit and unexpected scorers. In the West, the balance of star power and depth depth-shaping moves will determine playoff odds well into spring.

FanDuel’s top-10 Cup odds spark a season-long debate across the league. Jets need more offensive pop, Leafs must replace Marner’s production while relying on a sturdy, if aging, defense and goaltending, Devils face health questions, and Hurricanes’ high-velocity game must translate to deep playoff runs. Panthers must survive Barkov’s absence, Avalanche depth is tested, Vegas stays elite if healthy, Lightning face aging concerns, Dallas must finally push through conference finals, and Edmonton’s bid hinges on goaltending and McDavid’s contract.

Four Central contenders—Jets, Avalanche, Wild, Stars—enter 2025-26 with veteran depth and rising youngsters, creating a fantasy-friendly mix of stable 2C roles and deeper lines. Depth and early lineup stability could decide playoff seeds as the calendar turns.

Jets lean on Jonathan Taves's return and Gustav Nyquist's scoring touch to stabilize the middle, while Kaprizov's health and Brock Nelson's presence could unlock Minnesota's top six.

Avalanche rely on Landeskog's comeback, Mikko Rantanen's health, and Brent Burns's leadership to bolster top-line output and defensive structure. Stars count on Robertson and Wyatt Johnston to anchor the attack, with early-season chemistry shaping the playoff chase.

Watch for 2C battles, line shuffles, and injury timelines—these factors will drive fantasy value more than last season's totals.