Nashville targets a rapid, momentum-building start after last season’s letdown, led by leadership reshuffles and a renewed focus on accountability. The team aims to tighten defense, lean on Juuse Saros’s resurgence, and accelerate five-on-five and special-teams execution to flip the script early.

The conversation centers on new defensive structures and the expected role shifts for veterans, with coaching handoffs under Andrew Brunette and front-office guidance from Barry Trotz. Off-season moves and camp performances are framed as pivotal to unlocking the Predators’ ceiling in a tough Central.

Expect early scrappiness, tighter backchecks, and measured risk as Nashville seeks to regain confidence and establish a faster start, with fantasy implications focused on goaltending stability, top-line production, and defensive pairings that can sustain closer games.

Atlantic divisional depth, big-money extensions, and bold predictions headline the season preview. Florida Panthers lock in eight-year, $9M-per-season for a sturdy defender, signaling a new cap reality that could reshape down-ballot moves as the cap continues to rise. Edmonton Oilers lock in Nabllock for three years while McDavid edges toward a $20M annual cap hit, forcing fantasy managers to rejigger around elite talent and supporting casts. The Panthers–Lightning rivalry chips at preseason action, underscoring the value of defense and goaltending in seasonal and weekly lineups.

From Winnipeg and Anaheim to Columbus and San Jose, the panel eyes surprises and breakout candidates like Fantilli, while aging stars such as Ovechkin and Crosby loom against rebuilding teams. With coaching stability, development trajectories, and cap discipline shaping rosters, fantasy players will chase value in depth, keeper leagues, and live-betting angles as a dynamic season unfolds.

Metro Division sleepers rise as fantasy drafts approach: Adam Fantilli anchors Columbus as a high-upside third center with clear PP time, a profile that could push 60+ multi-cat fantasy points if he locks top-six minutes. Samuel Ersson gives Flyers’ fantasy managers a credible goalie floor with favorable schedules and a path to 25+ wins in a developing crease army. Timo Meier’s Devils landing injects instant top-six scoring and PP1 upside, while Logan Stankoven shores up Carolina’s youth-driven depth and top-six potential behind Svechnikov and Jarvis.

Columbus’ youth, Flyers’ goalie depth, Devils’ offensive upgrade, and Hurricanes’ stacked young core reshape the sleeper map. Islanders and Capitals get late-round floors from veterans, while Penguins’ Mantha lockers in as a power-forward seam option. Overall, the metro slate trades in big upside at every level, rewarding patient rostering and smart late-round gambles as drafts loom.