McDavid leads a high-octane Canada as Olympic chatter heats up and contract questions hover over Edmonton. Team Canada, defending Four Nations and World Cup gold, seeks a balance of elite talent and depth on both wings and the back end to thrive in an NHL-ice Olympic crowd.

On offense, McDavid is centerpiece, flanked by Point and Marner in a lens-sharp trio, with Makar anchoring the blue line alongside Toews. Goaltending clarity is guarded, with Bennington the obvious starter and others circling as Armstrong tacks a durable, adaptable roster for the Games.

FanDuel pegs Canada at plus-money favorite odds (+150) over the USA (+200), underscoring the talent pipeline and a possible youth infusion on defense and forwards as the camp tightens into shape.

NHL Milan tour signals aggressive growth moves: a 2028 World Cup with eight teams, an Olympic cadence anchored around Milan 2026, and a calendar push that could trim training camps and even nudge start dates earlier in future CBAs. High-stakes signings underscore Chicago and Minnesota bets—Frank Nazar’s seven-year pact and Marco Rossi’s three-year, $15M deal—highlighting young talent as the league leans into longer-term returns.

Fantasy takeaway: between global events, longer signings, and potential schedule shifts, expect more roster churn and subtle value shifts early. Nazar, Rossi and a few other signings could reshape lines and PP units, while McDavid-era franchises eye opportunities around extensions and cap dynamics. Stay nimble on sleepers and leverage international duties when projecting workload and availability.