Active players without a Stanley Cup remain fantasy gold, and the latest analysis spotlights how close several veteran stars are to lifting Lord Stanley. Brent Burns tops the ongoing list by career point shares, now aligned with Colorado on a one-year deal that keeps him squarely in Cup contention. Edmonton’s dynamic duo, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, continue to drive a high-ceiling offense as they chase another Finals run. Connor Hellebuyck headlines the goalie front for Winnipeg, while Mark Scheifele provides steady two-way value as the Jets push for a breakthrough. In Florida, Nate Schmidt and Tomas Nosek joined the Panthers last season and now eye a first Cup after the franchise’s triumph. Betting boards tilt toward Edmonton, Colorado and Florida, with odds shifting across operators as the 2026 chase intensifies.

Florida Panthers expect Matthew Tkachuk to miss months, out until December after offseason surgery to address a sports hernia and torn adductor. Tomas Nosek is out indefinitely after an offseason injury.

Tkachuk, who helped Florida win the Cup, had surgery in August and will use December to prep for USA Hockey at Milan-Cortina in 2026. He posted 23 playoff points in 23 games, including seven in the Cup Final vs Edmonton. The season opens Oct. 7 at home vs Chicago, with the Panthers navigating his absence.

Florida Panthers eye a third straight Cup, but health and cap pressures loom as Tkachuk recovers and depth is tested. The league-wide preview hinges on goaltending certainty, growth from young cores, and high-stakes off-season moves—from Swayman’s bid to reclaim No.1 in Boston to Hughes’ health in New Jersey and Marner’s Vegas exit in Toronto.

Beyond those headline questions, the piece assesses defensive pivots in Vegas, depth shifts in Minnesota with Kaprizov’s contract talk, and young guns like Demidov in Montreal and Celebrini in San Jose eyeing breakout years. ESPN also maps out 100 exclusive games and a rich out-of-market package as fans plot fantasy rosters.

Matt Caldwell is the new CEO of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, arriving with Panthers pedigree and a plan to boost fan experience while pursuing a privately funded new arena in Minneapolis. Next season will feature theater-style lighting at Target Center, and Caldwell emphasizes a culture of excellence, cross-department alignment, and lean staffing. He outlines a multi-year arena timeline (roughly 2–4 years to site work, 3 years to build, about five years to open) and reframes recent layoffs as restructuring, not distress.

With Tim Connelly already shaping basketball operations and ownership backing a bold arena project, Caldwell aims to fuse business and basketball operability. His military background informs a team-first leadership ethos, and his network with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez catalyzes the franchise’s ambitious strategic direction.

Sidney Crosby trade chatter swells as Pittsburgh weighs a potential rebuild. Friedman notes Crosby will drive the decision, with timing tied to the Olympics and late-season form. A pre-Olympics move is unlikely, but a late-season pivot to Colorado or Montreal could reshape his fantasy outlook based on new linemates and deployment. Even at 38, Crosby’s elite minutes and power-play presence keep him central to fantasy plans whichever jersey he wears.

For fantasy managers, the key is how deployment shifts with Pittsburgh’s direction. The possibility of a fresh start elsewhere injects upside and risk alike, as Crosby’s historical pace and vision meet unfamiliar surroundings and teammates. The storyline remains unsettled, but the prospect of Crosby in a different uniform adds a new layer to the season’s fantasy calculus.