Canada’s 4 Nations roster set the Olympic stage in the shadow of 2026 Italy, with Thomas and Suzuki still chasing a spot after last December’s snub. The event doubles as a prove-it sprint for veterans and a coming-out party for rising stars, as 18 weeks remain to the Games. The battlefield widens: health, form and timing will decide who lands in the Olympic lineup and who misses out.

Metropolitan winds are shifting as the division’s old guard fights for one more run. Washington, with most of the Cup core intact and Ovechkin pursuing a final title, looks to defend. Carolina adds Nikolaj Ehlers to speed up their attack while Rod Brind’Amour steers development toward a Cup run. The Rangers bring in Mike Sullivan to reset a roster that missed the playoffs, and New Jersey leans on a healthy Jack Hughes to drive a deep push. With Pittsburgh, the Islanders, and Philadelphia navigating transitions and Columbus lurking, the East’s force structure is up for grabs as the season dawns.

Fantasy implications run through every move: Ovechkin’s PP ubiquity keeps him a premier goal producer; Ehlers adds a high-gear spark that could push Carolina’s top line into elite territory; Gavrikov and Miller bolster a Rangers defense that should translate into more defensive stats and secondary scoring. Hughes’ health is a focal point for Devils, while Michkov and Schaefer highlight Philadelphia and New York’s long-term upside. The league watches closely as Roy and Tocchet reshape Islanders and Flyers respectively, and Columbus remains a dark horse with developmental upside.