Connor McDavid’s extension remains a patient, cap-aware decision as Edmonton weighs long-term value and a championship window. McDavid has signaled he’ll take his time, while Oilers leadership publicly backs him as a core piece for years. Kirill Kaprizov’s looming deal could lift top salaries, influencing the market and how Edmonton structures around its captain. Cap trajectory, roster balance, and the Cup goal shape the negotiation.

The evolving market and Edmonton’s willingness to preserve flexibility point to an extended process, with structure—length, AAV, protections—carrying as much weight as total dollars. For fantasy managers, the impact hinges on how the Oilers allocate around McDavid once a deal is in place.

Avalanche power play overhaul is the focal point for 2025-26 as Colorado shifts to a new voice with Hakstol and a training camp packed with both returning stars and fresh options. The unit faces the challenge of reviving volume and quality of chances after a brutal seven-game playoff with Dallas, trusting MacKinnon and Makar while layering in Landeskog, Nichushkin, Olofsson and Burns to diversify looks and unleash two potent setups.

With Burns at the top of the setup and a mix of net-front and bumper options—Landeskog, Nichushkin, Lehkonen, Rantanen and others—the Avs aim for a flexible approach that could resemble PP1 and PP1.5 rather than a single elite unit. Training camp will reveal how the new depth translates to ice time, with a core built to push Colorado back to the top of the NHL power-play charts.

The 2025-26 NHL season opens with Carolina and Edmonton as co-favorites at TitanPlay, Florida and Colorado close behind, signaling a high-stakes Cup chase. Florida keeps its core while Carolina added talent, creating a crowded race among the top four. Historic moments—Orr’s Cup-clinching overtime, Ovechkin passing Gretzky, Lemieux’s comeback, and Selanne’s rookie explosion—anchor contemporary fantasy narratives, shaping milestone-driven ceilings for stars and sleepers alike.