Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz remains in mid-term contract talks with Toronto, as both sides chase a sweet spot on term versus dollars before the season. The broader rumor mill flags high-leverage decisions around Pavel Zacha, Sergei Bobrovsky and Nazem Kadri, with potential deadline moves and longer-term bets shaping fantasy value. Watch Seattle’s UFAs and depth pieces (Dunn, McCann, Oleksiak) and how Kadri’s no-move clause and Bobrovsky’s price tag influence market dynamics. Kaprizov and the Wild surface in late-season chatter, while the Kraken loom as a possible deadline magnet.

Fantasy implications center on workload, goaltending splits, and how contract structures affect reliability and upside. Depth moves and no-trade hurdles can shift second-line center roles and goalie wins projections, so players like Zacha, Kadri, and the Kraken trio could swing value depending on where they land and how cap flexibility plays out through the trade window.

In a tightly contested match, the Edmonton Oilers secured a thrilling 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken, marking their third consecutive win. Mattias Ekholm starred with a goal and an assist, while Connor McDavid made a notable return, contributing to the scoreboard after his suspension. Other scorers included Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry, with the Oilers now boasting an impressive record of 11 wins in their last 14 games, reclaiming first place in the Pacific Division.

Despite a strong start from the Kraken, who initially led 2-1, the Oilers rallied in the second period with pivotal goals. McCann, the Kraken's leading scorer, struggled to find the net, extending his goalless streak to 15 games. The Oilers' Calvin Pickard made 26 saves, while Joey Daccord had 27 stops for Seattle.

Mattias Ekholm led the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-2 win against the Seattle Kraken, scoring a goal and providing an assist. Connor McDavid returned from a suspension to contribute to the Oilers' third consecutive victory. Edmonton rallied after a shaky start, overcoming a 2-1 deficit thanks to goals from Ekholm, Mattias Janmark, and Corey Perry, alongside McDavid's return to form. The victory places the Oilers back atop the Pacific Division by a slim point over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Seattle's Jared McCann struggled to find the back of the net, extending his scoring drought to 15 games. The Kraken saw goals from Eeli Tolvanen and Vince Dunn but couldn't maintain their early lead. Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard made 26 saves, while Joey Daccord of the Kraken recorded 27 saves in the loss.

The Pittsburgh Penguins under Mike Sullivan and Kyle Dubas are mired in a series of disappointing performances, exemplified by a recent loss to the Seattle Kraken. A pivotal moment occurred in the second period when Kris Letang mishandled the puck, allowing Chandler Stephenson to initiate a fast break that culminated in a goal against rookie goalie Joel Blomqvist. This lapse highlighted the Penguins' defensive struggles, as they failed to manage a 3-on-1 situation effectively, leaving Blomqvist stranded.

Despite Sidney Crosby's effort to equalize shortly after, the Penguins squandered momentum with careless penalties, allowing the Kraken to regain the lead. The defensive breakdowns continued, leading to multiple goals from the Kraken, showcasing the Penguins' inability to contain the opposition. As the season progresses, the Penguins find themselves near the bottom of the standings, raising questions about the effectiveness of their leadership and roster decisions.