Matthew Tkachuk will miss the start of the Florida Panthers season with a lower-body injury, likely sidelining him until December. He logged 52 games last year, posting 57 points, after twice winning the Cup and tearing an adductor and a sports hernia during the 4 Nations Face-Off. Fantasy managers should plan for a big early-season void, with Reinhart and Verhaeghe stepping into larger roles and the Panthers needing depth to weather the absence.

The U.S. Olympic setup remains hopeful, as GM Bill Guerin says they’re planning to have Tkachuk in Milano Cortina 2026, shaping a potential high-impact duo with Brady Tkachuk down the line. Florida also faces injury headwinds beyond Tkachuk, with Tomas Nosek out long-term, tightening the margins for roster depth and production as the season opens. Tkachuk’s Cup-winning moments and leadership will be missed early, but the pipeline could push others to elevated fantasy value.

Kaprizov turned down 16 million a year, 16.8% of the cap, signaling a push toward 17M+ as the cap climbs. The 20% ceiling would yield about 19M next season, 20.9M after that, and roughly 22.6M in the following year. Eichel and McDavid sit in similar stratospheres with targets around 13-14M and 17M, respectively, underscoring a high-stakes market for elite forwards.

Hart drew interest from Flyers, Hurricanes, and Penguins as a short-term option; Maple Leafs goalie Stolarz is in extension talks, per Weekes, while Robertson remains Dallas's long-term priority. It’s a cap-smart, term-driven summer shaping rosters across the league.