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.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be featured in 16 national TV games in 2025-26, underscoring their enduring visibility even as they chase a return to the playoffs. The slate spreads across ESPN, ABC, ESPN+/Hulu and TNT, highlighted by a 10/7 opener at the Rangers and a home opener 10/9 vs the Islanders. Local coverage remains with SNP, Josh Getzoff, Colby Armstrong and Phil Bourque, plus SNP360 streaming for a buck for 30 days. Radio on 105.9 The X roars as Rupp shifts to a more national focus, leaving Armstrong and Bourque in the rotation.

Beyond the Penguins, the national lineup features meetings with the Rangers, Flyers, Capitals, Oilers, Maple Leafs, Red Wings, Golden Knights, Bruins, Avalanche and Islanders, shaping DFS angles and fantasy projections around high-profile matchups and marquee opponents. The comprehensive schedule provides fans and fantasy managers multiple opportunities to target top-line Penguins and key rivals on big stages.

Florida navigates the 2025-26 season as the odds-on favorite to seal a third straight Cup, anchored by continuity in Ekblad, Bennett, and Marchand. The front office doubled down on defense and depth, wary of playoff wear after years of deep runs. Five challengers—Maple Leafs, Avalanche, Oilers, Hurricanes, and Rangers—have revamped rosters and remain dangerous, while fatigue and health will shape Florida’s regular-season legs and postseason stamina.

Depth retention and patient acquisitions characterize Florida’s approach, aiming to keep the core intact while adding veteran postseason savvy. The league’s parity means the Cup path will demand top-level health from Ekblad and Barkov and continued secondary contributions. The Panthers enter as the team to beat, but the chase for a three-peat is a chess game with a short, unforgiving spring window.

Fantasy readers should watch internal roles emerge: Lundell and Luostarinen are poised for bigger roles; depth pieces could become playoff wildcards; and goaltending opportunities might hinge on health and schedule pressure. The season will test whether continuity can outlast the grind of four straight deep playoff runs and whether Florida can sustain elite possession and balanced scoring across seven-game series.