Rangers pivot hard for 2025-26: Gavrikov shores up the blue line with a seven-year, $49 million bid, while Shesterkin eyes a bounce-back season behind a more stable defense. Miller was moved to Carolina, Kreider exits, and Mike Sullivan takes the bench reins in New York. Panarin, Zibanejad and Trocheck must drive a top six that can outscore rough patches; Cuylle and Lafreniere must grow into reliable secondary scoring. A tighter 5v5 foundation shapes a playoff push with Shesterkin back in form as the fulcrum.

McDavid's extension with the Oilers remains unsigned as training camp approaches, with talks focused on the big picture rather than dollars. A four-year framework is floated as a likely middle ground, preserving Edmonton's cap flexibility while pursuing sustained contention. Season start could proceed without a deal in place, shaping early decisions around the star’s future and the team’s long-term plan.

Panarin and the Rangers surface in similar rumor chatter, highlighting how star salaries and timing influence market dynamics. The Montreal Canadiens are also noted in this backdrop, underscoring league-wide tension between elite talent and cap discipline as Edmonton weighs its next move.

Florida debuts Express Entry, a facial-recognition gate system, marking the first opt-in biometric access in college football. About 6,000 fans registered for the Long Island University game, and some witnessed faster entry while others faced misrouted lines. Reactions were mixed: fans praised speed, while privacy concerns linger. UF and Wicket emphasize opt-in consent and no biometric data will be stored or used to ban fans, with pro leagues already using similar tech as a roadmap.

The move highlights a broader shift toward biometrics in sports venues, from college campuses to professional facilities like Raymond James Stadium. As fans weigh convenience against data-security worries, the experiment tests whether speed can coexist with privacy safeguards on a large scale in live sports events.

Rangers look to rebound with a refreshed vibe and a playoff push, but Artemi Panarin’s future looms large with one year left on his deal and trade chatter likely to surface at the deadline. Connor Bedard’s extension buzz adds another layer to the league’s landscape as Chicago weighs its long-term path. For fantasy owners, these threads shape risk, value and in-season maneuvering as camps open.

Panarin’s status could still tilt the top six in New York, while Bedard’s extension could anchor his role in Chicago. Track contract news, coaching changes and line combinations for smart draft and in-season moves that can swing fantasy outcomes.

Draft day in fantasy hockey is all about balancing format choices, category depth, and weekly schedules. This guide breaks down two main drafting styles—snake and auction—and explains how roto and head-to-head play differ, with tips like prioritizing goalies and defensemen early due to depth, while centers offer late-round value. It also covers daily fantasy, lineup optimization, waiver instincts, and staying flexible as the season unfolds. The core message: plan around format, leverage schedules, and have fun while chasing edge.

Crucially, the piece highlights five-game weeks for teams like the New York Rangers, Carolina, Edmonton, and Pittsburgh, showing where managers can exploit windows to stack lines or maximize goalie starts. It connects drafting discipline with in-season tweaks, advising constant schedule-checks, prudent roster moves, and thoughtful exposure to high-upside players. A practical, hands-on road map for a winning season emerges.