Duclair’s health and role with the Islanders take center stage as Roy and Duclair mend fences after a sharp late-season critique. A groin injury that sidelined him for two months reshaped his 2023-24 start, and Roy now expects him to reclaim pre-injury form. With a likely third-line role behind Pageau and Holmström and a four-year, $14M contract in hand, Duclair’s fantasy upside hinges on health and early-season deployment.

Last season’s 24-goal output with San Jose and Tampa Bay sets a high-water mark, but success for the Isles will require a clean bill of health and a quick lens into his role on opening night. If Duclair looks himself again, the Isles gain a versatile winger who can contribute across lines and power play, potentially shifting the balance of their depth-chart at the start of the season.

Pete DeBoer’s three-year Dallas Stars tenure ends after three straight Western Conference finals appearances with no Cup. GM Jim Nill says the results spoke for themselves, while DeBoer notes the math didn’t add up. He pivots to Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics as the next coaching chapter beckons.

Armstrong and Cooper offered support, emphasizing that Olympic duties won’t derail his NHL chances, and DeBoer remains confident he’ll land another head-coaching job soon as the league’s coaching carousel heats up.