Riley Ginnell re-signed with the Worcester Railers for 2025-26, anchoring a depth-forward role after appearing in 33 games in 2024-25. He arrived in Worcester via a December 2024 trade from the Allen Americans and tallied 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists) across 96 career ECHL games with Worcester, Allen and Rapid City, while adding 67 penalty minutes. Ginnell’s Calgary roots and four WHL seasons—Brandon Wheat Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors and Regina Pats—highlight a two-way profile with scoring touch and a willingness to engage physically, attributes Worcester will lean on as it builds a balanced, versatile attack.

The re-sign signals a plan to blend youth with grit, aiming for multi-line contribution and strong PK work. Ginnell’s junior and pro track record suggests he can contribute secondary scoring and reliable minutes if he earns a fixed role, especially in a competitive ECHL slate where depth and versatility separate teams down the stretch. Fantasy managers should watch his minutes, line mates, and special-teams deployment as indicators of upside in the 2025-26 season.

Tyler Kobryn returns to Worcester for the 2025-26 season, locking in a seasoned depth forward for the Railers. After a February 2025 midseason move from Florida, Kobryn appeared in 25 Worcester games as part of a larger ECHL resume that includes 170 games and 43 points (25 goals, 18 assists) with 62 penalty minutes. His path shows a versatile, hard-nosed winger who can contribute secondary scoring and physicality in a deep league slate. The signing underscores Worcester’s plan to sustain proven contributors within the Islanders’ development system and maintain a steady roster floor.

Kobryn’s journey spans the SPHL’s Peoria Rivermen to Wesleyan University, where he helped drive a program with a standout NCAA III bid before the 2020 tournament was canceled. Re-signing with Worcester preserves a veteran presence who excels in transitional roles and can be leaned on for bottom-six minutes, power-play depth, and energy in a crowded ECHL landscape as the Railers push for playoff positioning and recruitment in the Islanders’ broader pipeline.

Montreal’s window to contend hinges on a mature core and smart, patient development. Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Hutson, and Guhle form the nucleus, backed by a front office whose plan is finally bearing fruit. The addition of Noah Dobson from the Islanders gives the back end a veteran push, while extensions for Slafkovsky and Guhle lock in leadership on the blueline and in the locker room. The narrative shifts from rebuild to return-to-playoff-caliber, with the organization signaling it’s time to push for a deep run this year.

Gorton and Hughes are credited with assembling a young, talented group that still has room to grow, yet is ready to contribute meaningfully in fantasy terms. The Canadiens face heightened expectations, but the blend of youth with proven pieces suggests a competitive floor and upside scenario for several skaters. The path to a Cup someday remains, but the near-term focus is clear: return to the playoffs and establish Montreal as a steady contender for multiple seasons.

In fantasy terms, Montreal’s ceiling rises with the growth curve of Suzuki and Caufield, the two anchors who can drive scoring and power-play impact. Slafkovsky’s development, Hutson’s creative transition game, and Guhle’s all-purpose defenseman role will dictate line combos and PP time. If the Dobson acquisition sticks and the core progresses as expected, Montreal could produce a more reliable, multi-category fantasy profile this season, even if championship scenarios remain a few steps away.

Florida Panthers dominate the NHL with back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025, led by Paul Maurice and Sergei Bobrovsky’s late-season brilliance. They loom as the legitimate favorite in 2026 markets, but the trophy chase remains wide open as multiple teams eye a reset in the Sunshine State’s wake.

Edmonton, Carolina, Vegas and a handful of challengers are framed as the primary threats. Edmonton’s talent and near-misses in finals keep them in the conversation, while Carolina’s regular-season dominance clashes with playoff heartbreak. Vegas, the 2023 champion, is positioned to disrupt again, and the sport’s history-laden Islanders provide a reminder of how hard it is to win three straight. Fantasy managers should lean into Panthers’ core, with Bobrovsky as a potential anchor, while staying alert to league-wide value across contenders.