Pittsburgh’s core stays put for now as rusted trade winds swirl around Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson, who are all cited as candidates this offseason. Frank Seravalli’s take: no, not likely to move soon — but the rumor mill won’t quit. At the same time, Mason McTavish remains the Ducks’ highly valued Restricted Free Agent, with teams lining up as potential destinations. Detroit, Carolina, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Philadelphia surface as plausible suitors, each armed with distinct assets and cap considerations. Packages surface involving a 2023 first-rounder (17th overall) and a key young defender like Axel Sandin Pellikka, plus salary ballast. Carolina’s cap space (~$10M) and willingness to assemble a multi-piece offer contrast with Vancouver’s need to shed salary, while Calgary’s age fit and Montreal’s 2C need add layers to the conversation. Philadelphia’s history of deal-making in these circles makes them a recurring wildcard. The rumor rounds around these names point to a league-wide scramble for middle- to high-end centers, with McTavish representing the clearest movable asset for a true rebuild window.

Fantasy managers should monitor not just McTavish’s destinations, but the ripple effects around Pittsburgh’s veteran core. If the Ducks listen on McTavish, the teams that land him could push Penguins’ cap plans into sharper relief, testing the depth of PIT’s forward corps and the long-term impact of Karlsson’s defense-first tempo. The chatter also underscores how cap flexibility and draft capital can tilt negotiations, making the next 2-3 weeks critical for rosters and dynasty values around the NHL.

Late-summer NHL chatter points to a quiet but potentially action-packed window between mid-August and September. The Pittsburgh Penguins sit at the center of talk about unfinished business, with others like the Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, and New York Islanders all watched closely as GM decisions and season-start evaluations loom. The Buffalo Sabres surface as a target in trade talk, while teams eye their own 2026 picks in potential moves.

On the marquee, Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s Sharks buyout prompts teams to consider whom to mentor and where to upgrade the blue line, especially with Orlov and Klingberg cited as cap-space catalysts and upgrades. Montreal’s rebuild stance is noted alongside Toronto’s offensive gaps bridged by Nick Robertson and Mitch Marner. The storyline underscores a season that could begin with a batch of calculated moves rather than a full-blown fire sale, with fantasy managers parsing goaltending tandems, defensive depth, and line-shuffling implications as training camps approach.

In fantasy terms, the focus shifts to how goaltending tandems hold up, who gains top PP time, and which underperformers might be displaced by late-summer acquisitions. The window could recalibrate value across several rosters, turning watchlists into wish lists as teams test early-season depth and role clarity before the calendar turns to October.

Josh Leivo’s return to the NHL could land with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who stand to gain a veteran winger with a proven pro pace. Leivo’s two-season stint in the KHL produced 49 goals and 80 points in just 62 games, showing elite scoring touch that could be a buy-low spark at the trade deadline. The Penguins would likely view him as a versatile top-nine option who could be a flexible piece for depth and secondary scoring as they chase a playoff surge.

Across the league, cap pressures loom. Florida’s near-cap ceiling has led to whispers about LTIR shuffling for Matthew Tkachuk and potential cap casualties like Evan Rodrigues, while the Olympic pursuit keeps Tkachuk active rather than opting out. In Toronto, the Nick Robertson situation remains a pivot point as the Leafs weigh future asset value versus roster fit, especially with Marner’s departure chatter simmering in the background. Marco Rossi on Minnesota’s RFAs adds another layer of deadline intrigue for teams seeking long-term pieces.

Carolina Hurricanes go all-in this offseason, adding K'Andre Miller from New York and Nikolaj Ehlers to bolster the blueline and add firepower. They reportedly remain in on a Rakell pursuit, leveraging cap space for a Cup-or-bust push. Miller’s and Ehlers’ arrivals raise the Hurricanes’ floor on both ends, while Rakell would push their ceiling even higher, potentially reshaping lineups and power-play units across the East.

Fantasy implications bend toward opportunity. Ehlers likely slots into a prominent forward role, Miller shores up a top-four that should see more favorable starts and PP time, and Rakell—if acquired—could anchor a high-scoring top line. Carolina’s flexibility, aided by team-friendly deals, signals continued aggressive moves and a roaster reshaping that could redefine fantasy values in drafts and daily leagues this season.

Overall, Carolina’s aggressive build could shift East power dynamics, with multiple players seeing upside from the new talent around them. The mix of speed, scoring, and defense raises the Hurricanes’ playoff probability while giving fantasy managers several new high-upside targets.

Edmonton’s front office is again probing the waiver wire and contemplating late-summer moves to deepen the roster after rolling the dice on Kasperi Kapanen and Alec Regula last season. The Oilers could pursue a handful of waiver targets or swing a September trade as insurance for depth at forward, defense, and goaltending.

Projected targets include goaltenders Mike DiPietro and Colton Ellis, plus forward options Samuel Fagemo and Matej Blumel, with William Villeneuve providing right-handed defensive depth. Matt Grzelcyk surfaces as the marquee UFA defenseman the Oilers could chase, potentially shaping a third pairing or power-play role. The piece also flags Colorado, Chicago, and Calgary as logical bidders should Grzelcyk hit the open market, while noting Edmonton’s cap constraints as it weighs deals and possible restructures.