Nazem Kadri sits at the center of summer chatter as Calgary keeps its fingers crossed. An analyst on TSN 690 says Kadri fits Calgary but notes nothing short of an offer the Flames cannot refuse would move him, as Calgary aims to push from 96 points into playoff contention. Calgary’s stance is clear: Kadri is a core piece and a trade would only come if it strengthens the team long term.

Interest from Montreal and other clubs like Carolina, Detroit and New Jersey is acknowledged, yet realistic trade scenarios are hampered by Kadri’s contract and Calgary’s appetite to remain a contender with established center depth. Kadri’s production last season (35 goals, 67 points in 82 games) underscores his value, while Hockey Canada’s Olympic snub adds fuel to his motivation for the 2025-26 season.

The Canadian roster snub, Kadri’s track record, and Calgary’s contending mindset shape a quiet summer where Kadri remains a linchpin. For fantasy managers, Kadri staying in Calgary means a stable middle-six center with significant PP time, while a move would trigger notable shifts in Calgary’s lineup and fantasy projections.

NHL and NHLPA’s Milan stop launches a first-of-its-kind cross-sport activation with Serie A clubs Inter and Milan, spotlighting a shared global fan pulse for hockey and soccer. In a week of events in Milan, 26 NHL stars will mingle with European soccer icons, with a focus on Olympic visibility ahead of Milano Cortina 2026. Seven players named to preliminary Olympic rosters—Aho, Heiskanen, Seider, Raymond, Hischier, Nylander, and Zibanejad—anchor the roster as Inter hosts a training session and Milan’s opener vs Cremonese. The journey includes jersey exchanges with Serie A legends and a broadcaster summit to amplify cross-border storytelling.

The alliance aims to translate on-field star power into digital and live experiences for fantasy audiences and global fans, leveraging both leagues’ brands and broadcast ecosystems. A historic jersey swap at MSG from a March 2025 moment between Mika Zibanejad and Pirlo/Materazzi underscored the ambition to fuse hockey and soccer narratives. As Milan pivots toward 2025–26, the collaboration is framed as a blueprint for cross-sport engagement, talent mobility, and a broader, more immersive fan experience that transcends traditional league boundaries.

The NHL offseason lingers as teams wait on key restricted free agents, with Mason McTavish at the center of the swirl. Luke Hughes and Marco Rossi remain unsigned, keeping their clubs wary of optics and cap implications. Anaheim’s patience is tested as McTavish’s role under Pat Verbeek’s system remains in flux, fueling trade chatter despite the Ducks’ stated playoff goals. A cluster of destinations—Detroit, Carolina, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Philadelphia, and even Pittsburgh—are floated as viable fits, each with its own price tag and strategic upside. The conversation centers on McTavish as a potential 2C and whether Anaheim should cash in now or hold for the right return.

Across the league, teams weigh how to navigate center depth behind McTavish, while rivals eye the Ducks’ leverage with a premium. The piece also threads in related unsigned RFAs and notable roster moves, highlighting how one marquee trade could realign conferences and fantasy values alike. Until signings land and training camps open, the market circling McTavish will shape both real-world outcomes and fantasy projections for the coming season.

Columbus signs Brendan Smith to a professional tryout, adding a veteran blueliner with a track record of physical play and versatility. Smith, who split last season between forward and defense with Dallas, appeared in 32 games and produced 1 goal and 5 assists while logging about 13 minutes per night. The Jackets view him as a training-camp option who could slot into a depth role if he proves he can adapt to Columbus’ system.

Smith’s career spans 15 NHL seasons and six teams, giving CBJ a mentor-type presence for their younger defensemen. Columbus GM Don Waddell framed him as a character-driven, veteran presence who competes hard and defends well in the zone. For fantasy managers, this move isn’t an immediate driver; Smith would need a defined roster spot and significant minutes to become relevant, likely in a third-pair/PK role if he earns the job.

The Stars brought him in last summer as a depth piece, but his ice time dwindled and postseason opportunities were scarce. CBJ’s move signals a depth-focused approach in camp, not an outright wage for a top-four role. Monitor preseason usage: if Smith claims minutes and special-teams time, he could become a late-season depth option; otherwise, he remains a name to know rather than a target.

Quiet offseason lull persists as RFAs linger and extensions loom, with signs of movement only as training camp approaches. Mason McTavish, Marco Rossi, and Luke Hughes remain unsigned, while Kirill Kaprizov and Connor McDavid sit at the top of extension watch lists. Brady Tkachuk’s long‑term stay with Ottawa anchors fantasy lineups, keeping top‑line production and power‑play time in focus. Montreal’s Carey Price and Boston’s goaltending situation add goaltending intrigue, underscoring the need to monitor creases and workload shifts. As August fades, the pace should pick up, but fantasy managers must track signings that could reshape lines, minutes, and usage.

The discussion tracks the broader league mood: teams balancing cap space, camp rosters, and the ever‑present risk of injuries if signings miss time. Expect bridge deals and late‑summer negotiations to ramp up, with extended timelines possibly affecting depth chart clarity. For fantasy players, the core takeaway is to watch RFAs and marquee extensions closely, as these moves drive role certainty, power‑play exposure, and potential shifts in goaltending responsibilities ahead of a fresh season.