Sullivan plans to start Mika Zibanejad on J.T. Miller’s right wing, leveraging summer relationship-building to unlock top-line chemistry. The move tests center depth but aims to jump‑start the roster with a cohesive, veteran-led group as camp opens and the Rangers chase a strong start after last season’s misstep.

Beyond Miller and Zibanejad, New York leans on Vincent Trocheck at center, Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov on the back end, and Igor Shesterkin between the pipes. The Oct. 7 opener vs the Penguins will light the first real test of these early roster decisions.

Adrian Kempe aims for a lucrative extension with the Los Angeles Kings, with reports placing his target around 10–11 million per season and a preference to finalize before Christmas or training camp. The path to deal closure remains a priority, with patience prioritized over rushing terms.

Nicolas Hague’s arc moves from a Vegas verbal agreement to a Nashville trade and a four-year, $22 million pact with the Predators, while whispers of Mitch Marner sign-and-trade flared but didn’t materialize. Rumors also touch the Canadiens and Penguins, with Kaprizov, Eichel, McDavid, Hart, and Stolarz driving ongoing league chatter and offseason intrigue.

USA Hockey taps a familiar circle for Milan 2026, naming John Tortorella as an Olympic assistant under Mike Sullivan, with David Quinn and John Hynes on the staff. The move preserves the blistering bench energy that powered the 4 Nations run and keeps Sullivan’s group in charge of the American program.

Canada fields a star-studded roster with Crosby, Reinhart, MacKinnon, McDavid, Makar and Point; Latvia adds Rodrigo Ābols while Sweden relies on Sam Ersson in net. USA sits in Group C with Germany, Denmark and Latvia, as groups and a global pause set the stage for a high-stakes Milano showdown.