FanDuel’s top-10 Cup odds spark a season-long debate across the league. Jets need more offensive pop, Leafs must replace Marner’s production while relying on a sturdy, if aging, defense and goaltending, Devils face health questions, and Hurricanes’ high-velocity game must translate to deep playoff runs. Panthers must survive Barkov’s absence, Avalanche depth is tested, Vegas stays elite if healthy, Lightning face aging concerns, Dallas must finally push through conference finals, and Edmonton’s bid hinges on goaltending and McDavid’s contract.

Central Division sleepers take center stage as the hosts drop a slate of under-the-radar options. Brock Nelson anchors Colorado's depth with a path to second-line duty after a 13-point, 19-game surge post-trade, while Sam Rinzel and Zeve Buy push for minutes on Chicago and Minnesota, respectively. Barret Hayton, Luke Evangelista, and Jake Neighbors land as versatile multi-category bets with upside in deeper formats. Dylan Holloway and Dylan Gunther spice the middle of the roster, while Nick Schmaltz and Cole Perfetti anchor late-round futures for real-world value.

Three themes emerge: veterans with room to climb if surroundings cooperate, young talents stepping into clearer roles, and the keeper-dynasty slice where deep cuts could redefine postseason rosters. The Blues’ Neighbors and Snuggerud combine physicality with offense, Evangelista and Hayton offer floor yet room to spike, and Rinzel could surprise as a minute-eater on a Chicago blue line. Depth picks like Gustafsson and Knight add speculative upside tied to quality surroundings.

Connor Hellebuyck anchors the top-5 fantasy goalie list, with Andrei Vasilevskiy close behind and Jake Oettinger rounding out the trio. Igor Shesterkin and Sergei Bobrovsky slot in at 4 and 5, respectively, as teams with elite defenses and strong workloads buoy their fantasy ceilings.

Florida’s stout blue line, Dallas’ balanced forward corps, Winnipeg’s workload monster, Tampa Bay’s system, and New York’s revamped roster drive the value of these anchors. Expect heavy starts, big win totals, and some bounce-back potential from Shesterkin in a rebound year.

Draft strategy centers on locking in an elite anchor early and snagging supportive options on top-tier teams, then hunting depth later in the draft to sustain a high-win, high-save pace throughout the season.