Lane Hutson’s extension talks loom large for Montreal, with eight years at roughly $10 million per season seen as a plausible starting point. Delays could push the price higher and squeeze the Canadiens’ cap, affecting defense depth and fantasy projections for teammates. In Vegas, Jack Eichel’s likely $13–14 million eight-year deal anchors the Knights’ payroll and could shift decisions on goaltending and top-line workloads.

Kaprizov’s potential bump may lift the ceiling for other elite wingers and RFAs, while surrounding rumors around Malkin, McLeod, and Carter Hart hint at a tighter goalie market and possible moves that shake up rosters. For fantasy managers, keep a close eye on these extensions—the cap math behind them often sets the tone for player value and leverage across the league.

Injury and lineup notes ripple through the NHL, with Luukkonen re-aggravating a lower-body issue for Buffalo and Huberdeau among those being evaluated in Calgary. Kotkaniemi also sidelined by a stick-to-face incident but nearing return. Vlasic, Hart, Varlamov, and Lee provide goaltending and lineup updates shaping early-season depth charts. Namestnikov, Toews, Batherson, Eller, Jensen, Rust, and others surface in practice or status updates, signaling streaming and matchup considerations for fantasy managers this week.

Rumors swirl around Hutson, McLeod, Hart, and Markstrom, hinting at potential roster moves or extension talks that could alter upside in the near term. Namestnikov practicing with Winnipeg, Toews listed day-to-day, and Batherson skating keep watch on several teams’ depth and PP time as injuries create opportunities. Overall, the note pack emphasizes timing of returns and which players could emerge as fantasy differences if healthy.

Fantasy takeaway: monitor status updates and practice reports closely, as even minor timing shifts can open or close top-line and power-play opportunities. The mix of returns, evaluations, and rumours suggests flexible rostering and opportunistic adds over the next several days.

Luke Hughes’ seven-year, $63 million extension with the New Jersey Devils sets $9 million AAV as the current floor for elite young defensemen, a benchmark Lane Hutson’s camp is watching in Montreal. With Hutson likely pushing toward $10 million, the comparison tightens the market and raises the stakes for the Canadiens.

Analysts weigh a ceiling near Cale Makar’s ~$12 million mark. Montreal has time to negotiate, but the bar is rising: a breakout offensive year for Hutson could put him in the $11M range, depending on structure and family dynamics.