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.

Kirill Kaprizov reportedly turned down an eight-year, $128 million contract, signaling a win-now mindset over a long, guaranteed run. With Minnesota not yet a Cup contender, the move suggests Kaprizov may favor a shorter deal or a higher AAV that tracks cap growth, rather than locking in eight years on a team still chasing a title. The chatter ties Kaprizov to peers like Draisaitl, McDavid, and Matthews, underscoring a market where a blank-check approach could be viable yet contingent on Minnesota proving it can win soon.

The discussion frames Kaprizov’s leverage as part star-driven, part franchise window: owner Craig Leipold has signaled willingness to pay, but the Wild must demonstrate a clear path to a championship to maximize Kaprizov’s value. As cap ceilings rise, the ensuing negotiations could redefine Minnesota’s window and Kaprizov’s long-term fate in the league.

The Leafs’ Core Four debate persists as Mitch Marner’s future exits cast doubt, yet Matthews, Nylander and Tavares remain central scorers, with Matt Knies potentially joining to maintain balance and depth. The Blue Jays’ depth approach surfaces as a cross-sport benchmark for teams relying on multiple contributors rather than star power alone.

Ken Dryden’s passing sparks a look at goalie-size history, from the era’s tall, athletic netminders to today’s cap-driven mix. The piece threads in Marner’s market image, the nickname Chief for Craig Berube, and Leafs’ signing moves—Joshua, Roy, Maccelli—painting a long-haul blueprint that blends talent, depth and smart acquisitions for sustained success.

USA and Canada clash again as hockey’s dominant powers plot their 2026 Olympic path in Italy, with the 4 Nations Face-Off revealing sharper talent depth and border-piercing rivalries. Rosters for the 2026 team debates hinge on rest vs. race, with Matthews, MacKinnon, McDavid and Bedard among the marquee names debated for Canada, while the US leans on Hughes, Fox, Knies and a goaltending duo that could tilt medal outcomes. Goaltending and go-forward scoring balance will decide medals in Milan.

Expect rosters to hinge on goaltending form (Hellebuyck, Oettinger, Demko, Swayman), top-line firepower (Matthews, Tkachuk, McDavid, McKinnon, Makar), and the emergence of young stars (Bedard, Celebrini, Hutson) who could reshape national depth. The Olympic stage is a proving ground where IIHF rules, pace, and discipline will test a talent tide that’s finally catching Canada’s long-running dominance.

ESPN’s preseason fantasy hockey primer lays out a clean, practical draft plan: anchor your squad with one of the star forwards (MacKinnon, Matthews, Draisaitl, or McDavid) if available, then mine value sleepers in later rounds. It urges smart goaltending, waiting for elite nets after the top skaters, and balancing positional and categorical needs. Bounce-back bets like Scheifele and Suzuki sit alongside breakout targets such as Zegras and Michkov, with mock drafts, dynasty formats, roster maintenance, and IR strategy all part of a comprehensive playbook.

Beyond drafting, the piece emphasizes league types, category weighting, and the value of mocks to reveal how others value players. It stresses staying adaptable, recognizing that sleepers and mid-round bangers can redefine rosters, and it covers dynasty/keeper nuances, daily roster maintenance, and the imperative to move off inactive assets at the right time. A practical, results-driven guide for fantasy hockey managers.