Anaheim Ducks aim to flip defensive depth into scoring by shopping young blue-liners for a top-six addition, keeping Trouba and Gudas on the shelf if the playoff push stalls. The rumor mill ties Ducks to marquee names like Mitch Marner, Jason Robertson and Martin Necas, while the Kings chase forward prices around Adrian Kempe’s extension. Hutson and Reinhart surface in broader market chatter, with Rossi’s deal shaping McTavish talks.

Five Dallas Stars start times were adjusted for the 2025-26 schedule. The changes include Oct. 23 vs. Los Angeles moved to 8:00 p.m., Nov. 28 vs. Utah to 7:00 p.m., Dec. 23 at Detroit to 6:30 p.m., Jan. 12 at Los Angeles to 7:00 p.m., and Apr. 9 vs. Minnesota to 8:00 p.m. The Stars will open the season in Winnipeg on Oct. 9, with the home opener to follow. These shifts mix late and early slots across the 82-game calendar, potentially impacting rest, travel, and fantasy projections.

Marco Rossi’s three-year, $5 million-per-season contract with Minnesota strengthens his bid to be the Wild’s true middle, with a $6 million qualifying offer due after 2027-28 and no three-year trade protection. His short-term ask vs longer-term offers from peers nudges Rossi toward the front of a shifting center market. Comparables like Stankoven, Coronato, Peterka, and Knies have set a higher bar, while Connor McDavid’s potential extension looms as the ultimate market signal for star contracts.

The deal structure comes as the NHL casually widens gambling and gaming ads in arenas, and Wild GM Bill Guerin sought to improve without dragging Rossi into futures. If McDavid’s extension lands before training camp, it could push the ceiling for young players and reshape dynasty and daily fantasy valuations, particularly for mid-market centers with upside.

Rossi’s move also places Rossi and Minnesota on a clearer path to recapture offensive balance, adding depth behind the top line and underscoring how evolving contract dynamics influence fantasy projections across the league.

Lane Hutson’s extension with Montreal remains on the table with no rush from either side. Both players and the Canadiens understand the ballpark figures, and August conversations are quiet but productive. Hutson’s rookie-year brilliance keeps the ceiling high, suggesting a mid-to-high end AAV if the pace continues, while cap growth over the next two seasons could push the deal toward the upper end. The negotiation mirrors established comps like Dobson and Faber, with mid-term length favored to preserve value as Hutson matures.