Luke Hughes' long-term deal with the New Jersey Devils looms, likely altering the club's defensive structure and potentially pressuring Dougie Hamilton, who has three years left at $9 million per season with a 10-team modified no-trade clause. If Hughes signs, Devils’ future roster decisions could pivot around March 6 trade deadline chatter. Other rumblings touch Chicago and Edmonton, Mason MacTavish, Luke Evangelista, and Toronto's hunt for a top-six forward, plus goaltending moves around Carter Hart and Philadelphia.

Calgary Flames won’t re-sign Dillon Dube after his acquittal on sexual-assault charges and a 2024 mental-health leave. GM Craig Conroy cited a fresh start and roster fit, leaving Dube’s Flames tenure—which produced 57 goals and 70 assists in 325 games—in the rearview. The NHL has reinstated the acquitted players, opening contract talks on Oct. 15 and possible Dec. 1 returns, but Calgary signals a reset at forward.

Connor Ingram exits Utah Mammoth via waivers as the team pivots at the crease, prioritizing Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanecek after a parting with the veteran goaltender. Ingram dealt with injuries and personal hardship; his future is open to an NHL chance or an AHL stint. Vejmelka posted strong numbers last season for Utah, while Vanecek brings steady pro experience. The move sets up a high floor tandem with an eye on a larger 2025-26 workload, shaping early fantasy lighting around the goalie roster.

Hart's agent says he will not re-sign with Philadelphia when eligible next month, signaling a fresh start after the NHL reinstated five players acquitted in the 2018 world junior incident. Hart, along with McLeod, Dube, Foote and Formenton, become free agents on Oct. 15 and could be eligible to play on Dec. 1. Hart's departure clouds the Flyers' crease, while the others pursue new contracts or European options, reshaping early fantasy outlooks and team plans.

Rick Tocchet’s Flyers start camp in Voorhees with rope-test removal and a three-group format that runs into early October. Sept. 22 is a travel-free day, with a Sept. 24-Oct. 4 window to finalize lines and rotations ahead of seven preseason games against the Capitals, Bruins, Islanders, Canadiens and Devils, plus a Hershey Bears stop. Veterans mingle with youth as Nesbitt, Gard and Quinn push for spots; Porter Martone will not attend main camp, and Zamula’s omission was ruled an oversight.