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.

In fantasy hockey, the margin between winners and the pack is carved in the late rounds. Stars go early, but the true edge comes from players who land in clearer paths to minutes and power-play time, or land on teams primed for a breakout season. The ESPN breakdown spotlights a dozen targets outside the 200+ ADP window, emphasizing context over name value as the key to upside.

Targets span forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders like Byfield, Nichushkin, Drysdale, and Swayman, who could surge with bigger roles or favorable team situations. The message is practical: use late picks wisely, monitor waivers, and be ready to pivot when opportunity arises to turn margins into fantasy glory.

Six NHL breakout candidates for 2025-26 could reshape fantasy rosters: Connor Bedard should push toward an 85–90 point pace with expanded minutes and rising shooting efficiency in Chicago. Quinton Byfield is poised to anchor the Kings’ top six, taking on tougher minutes and PP time en route to a 30-goal, 45-assist season. Matty Beniers enters classic two-way breakout territory, while Zach Benson could double his production with better linemates in Buffalo. Cole Perfetti and Logan Stankoven also carry clear routes to 70-plus point seasons with more ice time and power-play exposure. Dylan Guenther and Matthew Knies serve as reminders that big roles are often the gateway to fantasy relevance, even if their teams are rebuilding.

Mason McTavish is locked in with Anaheim on a six-year, $42 million deal (AAV $7M), ensuring he guards a top-2 center role as the Ducks pursue stability under new coach Joel Quenneville. A single phone call swung negotiations—McTavish’s camp wanted seven-to-eight years at $7M AAV, the Ducks sought four-to-five years around $6M. The compromise lands him in camp with clear prominence and mirrors the contracts of Troy Terry and Mikael Granlund, anchoring Anaheim’s long-term core.