Five Team Canada players cleared of charges become eligible to sign in October, with Dec. 1 readiness on the line. Alex Formenton has already headed overseas; Cal Foote, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod and Carter Hart are eyeing their next steps, Hart attracting the most attention as a possible Edmonton Oilers addition. Edmonton must balance a potential goaltending boost from Hart against fan backlash, plus a two-year layoff that complicates immediate contribution behind Skinner and Pickard.

Dallas Stars axe Pete DeBoer after three strong seasons that nevertheless fell short of a Stanley Cup Final, highlighted by a controversial Game 5 benching of Jake Oettinger and a postgame admission of shared accountability. DeBoer framed the moment as a necessary shock to lift a team that repeatedly saw Edmonton as a hurdle, while taking responsibility for the lapses that kept Dallas from the ultimate goal.

Glen Gulutzan steps in to provide a new voice, with a largely intact core and a renewed focus on accountability, structure, and late-season poise. GM Jim Nill stressed a collective reset rather than blame, setting the stage for a fresh alignment of leadership, goaltending duties, and postseason expectations as Dallas chases its first Cup Final in years.

Nashville’s Luke Evangelista is drifting toward a two- to three-year deal, with a missed camp shading the negotiation for both sides and a possible shift in his early role. Edmonton’s goalie situation remains unsettled; no Kostin re-engagement and no PTOs on the horizon. Carter Hart’s next destination is likely U.S.-based, while Vancouver doubles down on on-ice prep as the season looms.

Columbus and Ottawa linger in rumors, and the Oilers’ goaltending path could reshape rosters across the league. Monitor camp reports, line combos, and power-play time closely for fantasy implications across the landscape.