Lane Lambert arrives in Seattle with a straight-shooter, team-first ethos that prioritizes collective growth over finger-pointing.

His Islanders tenure showcased a disciplined, difficult-to-play-for squad, built on communication and players feeling valued; Trotz's influence helped shape that blueprint.

Seattle added Mason Marchment and retained a core of 20-goal scorers as Lambert negotiates a lean blue line and a developing goalie in Joey Daccord, aiming to lift the Kraken in a crowded Pacific.

Preseason opens against Anaheim as Lambert tests whether his foundation translates into a durable identity and a productive partnership with his staff and players.

Duclair’s health and role with the Islanders take center stage as Roy and Duclair mend fences after a sharp late-season critique. A groin injury that sidelined him for two months reshaped his 2023-24 start, and Roy now expects him to reclaim pre-injury form. With a likely third-line role behind Pageau and Holmström and a four-year, $14M contract in hand, Duclair’s fantasy upside hinges on health and early-season deployment.

Last season’s 24-goal output with San Jose and Tampa Bay sets a high-water mark, but success for the Isles will require a clean bill of health and a quick lens into his role on opening night. If Duclair looks himself again, the Isles gain a versatile winger who can contribute across lines and power play, potentially shifting the balance of their depth-chart at the start of the season.

A fresh NHL draft ranking probes every slot (1-224) since 1967, blending talent, hardware, and legacy to name one essential pick per slot. Wayne Simmonds lands at No. 61 as the ultimate late-second-round steal for the Los Angeles Kings, a sign that impactful pros can emerge well after the top picks. The piece threads through a who’s-who of legends—Lemieux, Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, Jagr, Lidstrom and more—highlighting era-adjusted value and the lasting fantasy implications of every draft slot.