Mason McTavish sits at the center of Ducks trade chatter, but Anaheim intends to keep him. His camp has explored options, yet the Ducks’ playoff push and a crowded center rotation limit immediate changes. The fit with the current group remains strong, and dialogue has cooled as talks haven’t produced a blockbuster offer.

Two-way development, role clarity, and cap space shape the dynamic. If a ridiculous bid arrives, Anaheim will reassess; otherwise, McTavish’s growth path in Orange County stays the priority, with the team holding his rights as a prime building block for the years ahead.

Penguins countdown to 2025-26 centers on Crosby and Malkin anchoring a lineup that blends veteran playmaking with a wave of fresh talent. McGroarty and Koivunen push for opening-night roles as September previews unfold.

Sept 11-15 brings the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo against New Jersey, Boston, Buffalo and Columbus, then camp and a Sept 22 preseason vs Montreal, with Detroit visiting Sept 26 at PPG Paints.

Olympic chatter adds tempo as Crosby eyes Team Canada; other Penguins may join Italy in February. For fantasy managers, this mix of proven stars and rookies shapes early lineup decisions and the path to breakout performances.

Luke Hughes’ contract stalemate with the New Jersey Devils heads toward training camp as GM Tom Fitzgerald seeks a deal that fits both today’s roster needs and future cap realities. The piece notes rising caps shaping a buyer’s market and internal limits, while Dawson Mercer and Jeremy Swayman’s training camp absence adds leverage dynamics. Calgary’s Zary, Backlund, and Andersson; plus Canucks' Quinn Hughes, Rangers, Canadiens and Leafs are cited as comp benchmarks in a broader NHL cap landscape.

Luke Hughes' extension with the Devils is near the top of camp-talk, with teams weighing long-term security against a bridge deal to keep him in RFAs as cap space tightens. At 21, his ceiling argues for flexibility, and camp is a few weeks away, making a deal likely before the session begins.

Confidence from Nico Hischier and Devils brass frames the process; Hughes’ development and projected power-play impact keep him central to the team’s plans, elevating his fantasy upside this season.

Quinn Hughes has a full season in Vancouver to map his future, with two years left on his deal and a changing Canucks landscape. The chatter around a potential move east, links to his Hughes brothers and New Jersey, and the dynamic of a Canucks rebuild all shape fantasy angles this season. If Hughes signs long-term, he stays a cornerstone of fantasy rosters; if not, risk rises as trade rumors simmer and roster shifts loom.

The season will also test the Canucks under Adam Foote and the evolving lineup, while Luke Hughes looms as a nearby wildcard with Devils connections. Pettersson’s presence in the mix anchors Vancouver’s offense, making this a pivotal year for fantasy managers to monitor lockout-risk, contract timing, and proximity to a potential family reunion in New Jersey.