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.

Jake Oettinger shared his cheat meals—Chick-fil-A or a Culver’s burger with fries and a chocolate shake—along with thoughts on the league’s relaxed dress code and a tease of Roope Hintz’s bold fashion sense. He named Drake’s Headlines as his pregame vibe and admitted a glove-tap quirk inspired by Carey Price, giving a window into Stars’ locker-room rhythm and weekend energy ahead of the season.

The ESPN interview from the NHL Player Media Tour near Las Vegas also spotlights Hintz’s potential fashion runway on the road and the team’s overall culture, hinting at how these off-ice habits might translate into on-ice consistency and fantasy-relevant stability for Dallas goaltending and top-line production.

Lane Hutson reaffirmed his pledge to USA Hockey, dismissing his father’s Canada chatter as he heads into another season with the Montreal Canadiens. The Calder Trophy winner, 21, remains a focal point for US defense prospects amid dual-citizenship chatter and a backdrop of national-team planning. The piece frames Hutson as a future US cornerstone while the Canadiens navigate a young blue line and growing international ambitions.