Quiet offseason lull persists as RFAs linger and extensions loom, with signs of movement only as training camp approaches. Mason McTavish, Marco Rossi, and Luke Hughes remain unsigned, while Kirill Kaprizov and Connor McDavid sit at the top of extension watch lists. Brady Tkachuk’s long‑term stay with Ottawa anchors fantasy lineups, keeping top‑line production and power‑play time in focus. Montreal’s Carey Price and Boston’s goaltending situation add goaltending intrigue, underscoring the need to monitor creases and workload shifts. As August fades, the pace should pick up, but fantasy managers must track signings that could reshape lines, minutes, and usage.

The discussion tracks the broader league mood: teams balancing cap space, camp rosters, and the ever‑present risk of injuries if signings miss time. Expect bridge deals and late‑summer negotiations to ramp up, with extended timelines possibly affecting depth chart clarity. For fantasy players, the core takeaway is to watch RFAs and marquee extensions closely, as these moves drive role certainty, power‑play exposure, and potential shifts in goaltending responsibilities ahead of a fresh season.

Carey Price’s $10.5 million cap hit is at the center of Montreal’s cap-clearing debate, with the Canadiens aiming to move him using futures rather than gutting their current roster. They have signaled they won’t part with top prospects Michael Hage and David Reinbacher, whose rising stocks and potential as a future top-four backbone make them priceless assets in trade talks. The team is juggling LTIR timing and a September 1 bonus, while staying over the cap for now, signaling more maneuvering could follow once Price is moved.

Oilers chatter links Edmonton to cap-friendly shuffles, notably Jake Walman, as teams chase flexibility. Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk remains a wildcard, weighing a 50/50 surgery decision that could sideline him for two to three months after a torn adductor/sports hernia, a fitness-health risk coach Paul Maurice described as hampering his playoff form. The summer’s cap arithmetic and asset valuation underline a delicate, high-stakes chess game among Montreal, Florida, and rival suitors.

In short, cap space, asset value, and injury timelines are shaping a volatile market where price-tag moves could cascade into further roster reshaping for the start of the season.

The NHL offseason has seen a slowdown in activity, but several teams are still eyeing potential moves. The Calgary Flames face decisions regarding defenseman Rasmus Andersson, weighing their competitiveness against the value of future assets. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers might explore goalie options with just $200,000 in cap space, contemplating extensions for stars like Connor McDavid. The Minnesota Wild are considering the future of RFA forward Marco Rossi, while the Montreal Canadiens aim to optimize their LTIR space to strengthen their playoff chances. The Toronto Maple Leafs recently re-signed Nick Robertson, but his fit in their roster remains uncertain, especially after his limited playoff appearances.

The Montreal Canadiens are grappling with salary cap challenges as they aim to finalize their roster for the upcoming season. Currently, they face a $5.42 million overage with only restricted free agent Jayden Struble left to sign. The Canadiens are hoping to avoid using Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) for Carey Price, whose contract, owed a $5.5 million bonus soon, could be a target for trade. Teams like the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins may be interested, particularly as they seek to bolster their rosters without exceeding their own cap limits.

The Penguins are also in a precarious situation, looking to shed contracts for younger talent. Rickard Rakell is a player who may be on the move, with potential suitors including the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Seattle Kraken. These teams are in need of forwards or defensemen to enhance their lineups. The Penguins face a steep price for Rakell, especially given the dwindling free-agent market, making trades a likely necessity for contentions.

The 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame induction class is set to include legends such as Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, and Duncan Keith, who are all first-ballot selections. Alexander Mogilny’s long-awaited enshrinement will join the ranks of women’s hockey icons Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker. Anticipation now builds for the 2026 class, which could see stars like Patrice Bergeron, a six-time Selke Trophy winner, and Carey Price, a two-time Vezina Trophy recipient, make their mark after solidifying their legacies in the NHL.

Bergeron’s accolades include a Stanley Cup title and numerous international gold medals, while Price, the all-time wins leader for the Montreal Canadiens, boasts a historic performance during the 2014 Olympics. Meanwhile, Patrick Marleau, who broke the NHL record for career games played, faces scrutiny about whether he will be viewed as a compiler of statistics or a true legend of the game. Other notable candidates include Ryan Getzlaf and Henrik Zetterberg, each with impressive career stats and accolades. The women's side features Meghan Duggan, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Shannon Szabados, who has shone internationally for Canada.