Rising rookies to watch for 2025-26 include Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Ivan Demidov, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Isak Rosen. Schaefer could crack the Islanders’ lineup and see power-play time, offering immediate keeper-league upside. Misa in San Jose brings elite offensive instincts with a long-term ceiling, while Demidov projects as a premium two-way asset for dynasty formats. Snuggerud has size and scoring ability that could translate into early fantasy points, and Rosen adds late-round upside for Buffalo if his role grows.

Barzal anchors a late‑round plan with dual eligibility and strong power‑play upside, paired with Horvat’s finishing touch. Jet Greaves is a Zer0G goalie sleeper behind Columbus’s emerging roster, while Adam Fantilli and Frank Nazar provide solid middle‑center depth for Columbus and Chicago with high upside as the season unfolds. On the New York Rangers, Miller and Zibanejad offer high floor and big‑shot production, with Wright showing late‑season Seattle breakout potential. Lock wings and defense early, then mine middle men and goalies later.

Igor Shesterkin anchors the NHL’s goalie elite, with Connor Hellebuyck and Sergei Bobrovsky close behind. Andrei Vasilevskiy sits in the next tier, then Juuse Saros, Illya Sorokin, and Jeremy Swayman. Frederik Andersen and Darcy Kuemper round out the top 10, offering durability and playoff pedigree.

Context matters as much as talent: regular-season metrics mingle with playoff performance and team support. Shesterkin remains the anchor; Kuemper and Andersen provide steady workloads and potential streaming wins when the schedule is dense.

Montreal’s off-season surge centers on Nick Suzuki’s 89-point breakout, Lane Hutson’s record-breaking rookie season, and a young core (Caulfield, Slafkovsky) that has fans dreaming of a rapid rise. A bold Noah Dobson acquisition underscores patience over panic, with the front office prioritizing a puck-moving blueline and cost-controlled talent. The discussion widens to second-line center targets (Kadri, Bennett, McTavish) and even hypothetical high-profile suitors like Crosby, highlighting Montreal’s win-now aspirations within a brutal Atlantic frame.

External expectations are tempered by internal realism: the Canadians need a reliable 2C and more depth, while Suzuki’s leadership and the organization’s flexibility hint at a best-possible window in the next 2–3 years. The vibe is buoyant, but the path remains a careful rebuild with upside anchored in a blossoming core.

Across these threads, the episode paints a franchise ready to contend soon, not later, while acknowledging the practical limits of a team still stacking futures. The narrative balances optimism with strategic risk, keeping fantasy rosters and dynasty plans in sharp focus as puck drop approaches.

Isles, Rangers, and Wings dominate the preseason chatter as teams weigh a swift rebuild against ceiling seasons. Barzal and Horvat anchor New York’s attack while Shesterkin backs a veteran-like core in New York; Detroit leans on Larkin, Seider, and Raymond to spark a possible midseason surge. Fantasy angles hinge on line changes, defensive pivots, and whether the Rangers can maximize their new balance with Fox and Lafrenière, while Detroit bets on youth to shorten the reset.

Expect tighter payroll decisions and smarter risk/reward moves dictating value on the wing and in goal. If Barzal, Miller, and Shesterkin regain peak form, top-line fantasy floors rise; if Detroit’s youngsters blossom, late-round steals could emerge as the season unfolds.