Scott Laughton erupted for two goals and two assists to power the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 7-2 preseason win over the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Laughton’s early opener and a later strike helped Toronto surge to a 3-1 lead, with Steven Lorentz delivering a pair of goals andMat Benning and Ryan Tverberg also scoring as the depth of the Leafs came alive. Patrik Laine added a power-play goal, while Dennis Hildeby stopped 11 shots for Toronto. Montreal’s stars were quieter, and the game was notable for multiple Canadiens injuries to the blueline (Kaiden Guhle, Noah Dobson day-to-day; David Reinbacher left early), with an update anticipated Friday. Fantasy takeaway: Laughton’s multi-point night boosts his short-term intrigue, and Toronto’s balanced scoring bodes well for streaming options in deeper leagues, especially if the injury situation in Montreal lingers into the early-season window.

The Leafs leaned on speed and depth, building momentum in the second and third periods as Montreal shuffled lines behind a goaltending split that saw Montembeault and Jacob Fowler share duties. For fantasy managers, keep an eye on Laughton’s line fate and Toronto’s emerging role players—Lorentz, Benning, and Tverberg could offer value in later-September fantasy schedules. On Montreal, the injury news at blue line could alter early-season defensive pairings and minutes, opening small-but-notable opportunities for other defensemen or call-ups if the situation persists.

Canada’s Olympic plans center on a Four Nations pipeline, led by Crosby, McDavid, Reinhart, Point, MacKinnon and Makar, with the roster built to win and finalized after a Calgary orientation camp. Cooper compares the process to fine-tuning a Ferrari as Armstrong weighs a wide pool and a three-goalie race featuring Binnington, Hill and Montembeault. The Olympic return of NHL stars is framed around front-of-net play and depth, with a January roster reveal ahead of Milan’s Feb. 12 opener against Czechia.

Goaltending remains the most open competition, while the 25-man Canada squad will blend veteran leadership with high-end talent. The setup balances NHL club commitments with international success, aiming for a gold-medal performance in Milan-Cortina and signaling a new era of Canada at the Games after 2014.

News from Calgary emphasizes a structured, competitive process: players must earn their spots nightly, lines will be tested, and scouts will parse an eligible group of 50-plus names. The strategy centers on winning battles around the net and ensuring goaltending consistency, all under a clear mandate to excel on the international stage.

Patrik Laine's future with the Montreal Canadiens is under scrutiny as the team assesses its roster post-playoff experience. Laine, who is earning $8.7 million, has struggled with his role, particularly in five-on-five situations, and has recently been overshadowed by younger talents like Ivan Demidov, who are making a mark in power-play situations. Analysts suggest there's limited market interest for Laine at his current salary, raising questions about his fit moving forward.

The Canadiens are projected to grow significantly, with young players like Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield emerging as stars. Laine's performance has been a polarizing topic; while his attitude is praised, his on-ice contribution has been criticized. With a complex decision looming, Montreal's management must determine whether to let Laine go or show patience with him for another season.