Edmonton’s path to an elite No.1 goalie before the trade deadline is narrow; only a handful of duos in the league could realistically upgrade a starter ahead of Skinner/Pickard, making a seismic move unlikely.

The piece catalogs plausible targets: Gibson and Talbot (Detroit), Sorokin/Varlamov/Ingram (Islanders), Demko and Lankinen (Canucks), Mrazek (Ducks), Jarry and Merzlikins (stars in rumor mill). It also notes McDavid’s extension chatter could be a distraction, so fantasy managers should brace for a limited upgrade and plan around an unsettled crease.

New Jersey Devils coaching staff locked in and a 13-game nationally televised slate set this season, signaling a push for fantasy-friendly exposure around the club. Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes grab headlines as NHL Network’s top-25 born this century, underscoring breakout potential and increased Team USA coverage. Connor McDavid voices a clear Edmonton focus, while Mitch Marner addresses Leafs Nation and safety questions, shaping early-season narratives and fantasy implications.

Expect Hughes targets to ride top-line minutes and power-play opportunities if Devils’ systems hold. McDavid remains fantasy royalty, but external Toronto chatter could influence distribution. These threads frame day-to-day fantasy decisions and season-long upside for managers tracking Devils updates against the star-loaded broader NHL landscape.

Canada’s Olympic plans center on a Four Nations pipeline, led by Crosby, McDavid, Reinhart, Point, MacKinnon and Makar, with the roster built to win and finalized after a Calgary orientation camp. Cooper compares the process to fine-tuning a Ferrari as Armstrong weighs a wide pool and a three-goalie race featuring Binnington, Hill and Montembeault. The Olympic return of NHL stars is framed around front-of-net play and depth, with a January roster reveal ahead of Milan’s Feb. 12 opener against Czechia.

Goaltending remains the most open competition, while the 25-man Canada squad will blend veteran leadership with high-end talent. The setup balances NHL club commitments with international success, aiming for a gold-medal performance in Milan-Cortina and signaling a new era of Canada at the Games after 2014.

News from Calgary emphasizes a structured, competitive process: players must earn their spots nightly, lines will be tested, and scouts will parse an eligible group of 50-plus names. The strategy centers on winning battles around the net and ensuring goaltending consistency, all under a clear mandate to excel on the international stage.

Connor McDavid’s contract status with the Oilers remains unsettled as he enters the final year, underscoring one goal above all: a Stanley Cup in Edmonton. Friedman framed McDavid’s stance as Cup-first, with no clear preference on term, suggesting a short-term pact could have been in play but not guaranteed. The saga isn’t going away as Edmonton pursues sustained contention and McDavid weighs whether the window lines up with his championship priorities.

For fantasy managers, the outcome matters a lot. A long-term deal would lock in McDavid’s elite production and keep Oilers’ top-line chemistry stable, while a delayed decision could add cap-constraints and depth questions that ripple through surrounding players and the PP unit. Monitoring Edmonton’s approach to staying a contender in coming seasons is essential for roster planning.