Edmonton’s Conor McDavid contract chatter dominates the early season as a cap surge looms, with the panel signaling a short‑term deal likely well under max payrolls and clarity arriving in the next 48 hours. The discussion centers on how the Oilers balance a marquee extension with Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, Nurse and Hyman to stay competitive as the cap expands.

In Montreal, Lane Hudson’s contract talks and RCA tax considerations color Caufield and Suzuki’s horizon. Goalie depth across the league—Sorokin, Vasilevskiy, Gustafsson, Wolf, Ingram, Markström—frames decisions for the West, where Anaheim and Calgary figure as intriguing sleepers as preseason fades into opening night.

Mason McTavish signed a six-year, 7M AAV with Anaheim, signaling a long-term push for a high-floor, youth-driven core and reshaping the Ducks’ ceiling on term and cost control. The front office signaled a willingness to push for multi-year deals with peers like Terry and Granlund looming, setting a tone for the franchise’s cap strategy. Barkov’s 7–9 month injury for Florida tests depth and timing of relief, while Fleury’s Pittsburgh return and Raquel’s goal inject preseason intrigue and early fantasy context.

The second week of camp highlights who separates in the crowded forward pools and how teams balance term versus AAV in a rising cap environment. Nostalgia, rookies, and the looming waiver wire add drama as players chase roles, with previews centering on Lindholm, Lindell, Kachuk, Hughes, and McDavid-era chatter that could swing early-season value. A lively mosaic of signings, injuries, and prep sets the table for fantasy leverage this fall.

Connor McDavid sits at the top of fantasy hierarchy, followed by Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, Kale Makar and Nikita Kucherov. McDavid’s per-60 pace and scoring ceiling render him an absolute cornerstone, while Draisaitl’s two-way brilliance sustains multi‑cat value even as Edmonton’s offense evolves. MacKinnon combines power and speed for league‑leading iso nights, Makar brings 100‑point upside from the blue line, and Kucherov’s creative execution keeps Tampa’s offense explosive when healthy.

Kaprizov enters the top-five conversation if Minnesota’s attack takes off; Barkov gets honorable‑mention for elite all‑around impact; Matthews remains a top‑ten anchor with upside, and Eichel plus Hellebuyck surface as strong value in goalie‑heavy formats. The chat also hints at a shifting pecking order, with emerging talents like Kaprizov threatening to challenge the established five as the season approaches.

The Florida Panthers are on the verge of becoming a dynasty, having reached three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. With an elite roster, including strong coaching and management, they boast multiple fantasy stars. Sergey Bobrovsky, despite being 37, remains a dependable goaltender with consistent performance. Carter Verhaeghe is a valuable forward, while Sam Bennett brings grit and scoring potential. Alexander Barkov's injury history raises questions, but he has top-tier point potential, and Sam Reinhardt is emerging as a premier scorer.