The Capitals’ preseason development camp in Annapolis put a spotlight on a rising wave of talent. Andrew Cristall, Ryan Leonard, and Ilya Protas showed why they’re on the radar, blending speed, IQ, and size as drills run by a veteran staff headlined by Olie Kolzig, Brooks Orpik, Braden Holtby and Jim Slater. Off-ice bonding at the Naval Academy reinforced team cohesion as Washington faces an aging core and eyes a youth-driven push into the NHL lineup this fall.

The 2025-26 NHL season opens with Carolina and Edmonton as co-favorites at TitanPlay, Florida and Colorado close behind, signaling a high-stakes Cup chase. Florida keeps its core while Carolina added talent, creating a crowded race among the top four. Historic moments—Orr’s Cup-clinching overtime, Ovechkin passing Gretzky, Lemieux’s comeback, and Selanne’s rookie explosion—anchor contemporary fantasy narratives, shaping milestone-driven ceilings for stars and sleepers alike.

Kaprizov turned down an eight-year, 128 million extension from Minnesota that would have set NHL records for average value and total value, a move Guerin says won’t spark panic and will keep Kirill in focus as talks continue.

Kaprizov’s decision casts a spotlight on cap dynamics, with Draisaitl currently atop the AAV ladder and Ovechkin’s historic deal serving as a benchmark. The Wild insist they’re in a good spot with Kirill and remain committed to a long-term fit.

Jason Robertson lands at No. 49 on NHL Network’s top-50 list, the first Dallas Stars name in the countdown as Dallas eyes a deeper playoff push. Robertson posted an 82-game, 35-goal, 80-point campaign and finished strong after a slow start, underscoring his elite ceiling on a loaded roster. The piece notes his Olympic orientation camp invite and frames his value around a Stars team built to surge in the West. Alex Ovechkin sits at No. 50, a reminder of Robertson’s lofty company and the league’s shifting dynamics.

The narrative centers on Robertson’s continued growth and durability, with scouts cautioning that a hot start could unlock even bigger numbers. Fantasy managers should view him as a stable, high-upside hold on a team expected to score in bunches, especially on the power play, while the ranking dip might offer late-season value as Dallas tries to finally break through the conference finals.

Capitals offseason a quiet churn with a clear path: lean into a younger core while keeping veteran leadership in the room.

Justin Sourdif arrives from Florida to compete for a fourth-line spot after Washington swapped picks with the Panthers. Washington also drafted five prospects and acquired Declan Chisholm to bolster the back end. Veteran exits included Andrew Mangiapane, Taylor Raddysh, Lars Eller, and Alexander Alexeyev, while T.J. Oshie retired and Nicklas Backstrom headed to Sweden. Alex Ovechkin celebrated a historic milestone and is set to return for Capitals camp to chase another run at the Cup.