Colorado’s offseason was busier behind the scenes than it appeared. The core remains intact, but the Avalanche reshaped depth, cap space, and staff as they push toward a 2025-26 run. Brent Burns’ addition shores up a right-handed defense core, while cash-saving moves — Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus — clear space for Burns, Kiviranta, and a guardrail of young players. Colorado also locked in Nabokov as a goaltender-in-waiting, kept Manson and Johnson’s presence, and shuffled AHL leadership to align with the NHL club. The club sits with roughly $2.1 million in cap space early, plus flexibility to hold O’Connor out until his return. The plan: carry 14 forwards, six defensemen, and two goalies at the start, bank cap space, then target a natural 3C near the trade deadline if needed. The rookie tournament in September will hint at the final depth chart, and patience could pay off as they navigate a tight cap.

Beyond the roster moves, Colorado’s appetite for quiet efficiency stands out. The organization revamped its staff — Hakstol replaces Bennett on the bench, and Popovic and Letestu shift roles in development and the Eagles system — signaling a holistic approach to power plays, coaching, and player development. The path to success remains the same: balance the lineup, protect the core, and leverage cap flexibility to chase late-season upgrades. The message is clear: the Avalanche aren’t sprinting, they’re positioning for a measured, sustainable push toward another deep run.

The Stars’ 2025-26 promotional slate leans into fan-friendly nights that could shift game-night energy and, by extension, fantasy upside. Highlights run from Pickleball Night and a Mikko Rantanen bobblehead on Nov. 4 to Retro Nights and themed college events that pair tickets with branded gear. The home opener on Oct. 14 against Minnesota opens the season with magnet schedules for early attendees, while Halloween, Holiday Games, and a New Year’s Eve game keep the arena buzzing through winter.

Texas Rangers Night pairs hockey with baseball, offering a co-branded Stars-Rangers jersey and a cross-sport promo vibe for value-conscious fans. The slate also prizes recognition, with Hall of Fame evenings for Ralph Strangis and Joe Nieuwendyk, and Razor Reaugh Night to honor broadcasting legends. There are multiple charity and community nights—Hockey Fights Cancer, First Responders, Pride, and Alumni games—that blend giveaways with cause-driven appeal, potentially elevating crowd engagement and on-ice intensity on those specific dates.

In addition to the on-ice spectacle, theme nights like Video Game Night with an Optic Gaming jersey and Noche Mexicana with plaza performances add depth to the fan experience, which can translate into a warmer, louder building for fantasy managers tracking pace, shot volume shifts, or leverage spots in deeper game stacks. The college nights also offer co-branded caps and lowered barriers to attendance, broadening the Stars’ seasonal image beyond hockey-specific demographics.

The Dallas Stars' acquisition of Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes has significantly boosted their offense, pairing him with fellow forward Jason Robertson. Rantanen is locked into a lengthy contract with the Stars, while Robertson faces uncertainty as he approaches the final year of his deal.

Last season, Robertson showcased his prowess by leading the team with 35 goals, while Rantanen delivered a stellar performance post-trade, contributing 18 points in 20 games with Dallas. Their combined skill sets have made the Stars formidable contenders as they aim for another deep playoff run.