Sidney Crosby trade chatter swells as Pittsburgh weighs a potential rebuild. Friedman notes Crosby will drive the decision, with timing tied to the Olympics and late-season form. A pre-Olympics move is unlikely, but a late-season pivot to Colorado or Montreal could reshape his fantasy outlook based on new linemates and deployment. Even at 38, Crosby’s elite minutes and power-play presence keep him central to fantasy plans whichever jersey he wears.

For fantasy managers, the key is how deployment shifts with Pittsburgh’s direction. The possibility of a fresh start elsewhere injects upside and risk alike, as Crosby’s historical pace and vision meet unfamiliar surroundings and teammates. The storyline remains unsettled, but the prospect of Crosby in a different uniform adds a new layer to the season’s fantasy calculus.

Maple Leafs add Matias Maccelli to the mix, eyeing a likely right-wing slot beside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies after Marner’s move to Vegas. Newcomers Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Michael Pezzetta bring size, grit, and versatility, while Maccelli aims to prove he can contribute on both ends. Training camp will decide how the rotation threads together, with the lineup shifting to adapt to Toronto’s revamped forward corps.

Toronto’s new depth pictures a bigger, tougher group with Roy handling PK/PP duties, Joshua bringing physicality and scoring touch, and Pezzetta providing an edge for the fourth line. The Leafs will chase a deeper, more balanced attack this season, and fantasy managers should monitor how quickly these newcomers earn roles and power-play time.

Fraser Minten arrives in Boston with a real shot at lining up as a defensively reliable 3C behind Lindholm, after being sent from Toronto in the Brandon Carlo swap. He impressed in September’s Prospects Challenge and has added strength to win puck battles and kill penalties, with a path to a full NHL role if camp goes well.

Boston’s 2025-26 lineup hinges on Minten earning a third-line spot or Providence assignment, as the club weighs Mittelstadt or Zacha at 2C. His versatility and two-way game fit a Bruins’ depth model, making the 21-year-old a high-upside fantasy target if he sticks in the NHL all season.

Easton Cowan faces a brutal 14-forward logjam in Toronto, making opening-night fate uncertain for the Leafs’ top prospect. He grabbed attention at the Prospect Showcase with an assist and a defense-first mindset, signaling a potential path through two-way play and PK value. With veteran depth like Kampf, Robertson, and Jarnkrok in the mix, Cowan’s best route may be a late-season call rather than an immediate boost, as the organization prioritizes the present.