Ryan Cox inked a 2025-26 contract with the Kalamazoo Wings, the ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, signaling another step in his steady minor-league development. He logged 22 points (9 goals, 13 assists) in 72 games for Kalamazoo last season, underscoring durability and a reliable two-way game at the ECHL level. Cox began his pro career with the Toledo Walleye (11 points in 12 games) during 2022-23, then split the 2023-24 campaign between the Orlando Solar Bears and Reading Royals, producing 26 points in 58 games. His Niagara Purple Eagles tenure saw 69 points in 152 games, including a 28-point senior year that helped the program post its best mark since 2012-13.

For fantasy-minded observers, Cox is a name to monitor as the Canucks push prospects through Kalamazoo’s development pipeline. He offers consistent scoring depth, reliability in a bottom-six role, and the kind of versatility that could translate into an AHL nudge or occasional NHL call-up if the Canucks need an energetic, responsible forward. In dynasty or keeper formats, Cox represents a potential mid-to-late round flier who could creep into deeper fantasy rosters if his skill translates with more opportunity in higher-tier leagues.

Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger were named to USA Hockey’s Olympic Orientation Camp in Plymouth, Michigan (Aug. 26-27), joining 42 other invitees from 24 NHL teams as Team USA gears up for 2026 Milano Cortina. The two-day camp is administrative and team-building, with no on-ice sessions. The selection marks an early step toward finalizing the Olympic roster, which already included six players announced in June: Eichel, Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, Hughes and McAvoy.

The U.S. sits atop the IIHF rankings and is chasing its first Olympic gold since 1980, after a 4 Nations final loss to Canada earlier in 2025 and a World Championship gold in May. A full invitee list was released by USA Hockey, underscoring the depth and ambition of this roster-building phase.

The NHL offseason lingers as teams wait on key restricted free agents, with Mason McTavish at the center of the swirl. Luke Hughes and Marco Rossi remain unsigned, keeping their clubs wary of optics and cap implications. Anaheim’s patience is tested as McTavish’s role under Pat Verbeek’s system remains in flux, fueling trade chatter despite the Ducks’ stated playoff goals. A cluster of destinations—Detroit, Carolina, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Philadelphia, and even Pittsburgh—are floated as viable fits, each with its own price tag and strategic upside. The conversation centers on McTavish as a potential 2C and whether Anaheim should cash in now or hold for the right return.

Across the league, teams weigh how to navigate center depth behind McTavish, while rivals eye the Ducks’ leverage with a premium. The piece also threads in related unsigned RFAs and notable roster moves, highlighting how one marquee trade could realign conferences and fantasy values alike. Until signings land and training camps open, the market circling McTavish will shape both real-world outcomes and fantasy projections for the coming season.

Patrick Kane will attend USA Hockey’s orientation camp in Plymouth, Michigan, aiming for a third Olympic appearance in Italy next year, and his veteran presence immediately becomes a focal point for the US lineup. Kane joins a cadre of Olympians and former Olympians at the two-day camp that doubles as administrative team-building ahead of the formal selection process. The gathering also highlights several expected contributors and surprises, underscoring how final roster decisions in January will hinge on health, chemistry, and where veteran leadership can push younger talent toward Olympic-level performance.

USA Hockey announced six of the 2026 Olympic forwards and defensed early this summer, with the final 25-man roster due in January. Notably absent from invites were high-end scorers like Alex DeBrincat, while names such as Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and Brayden Tkachuk are already positioned as core pieces. Coaching duties fall to Minnesota’s Bill Guerin and Mike Sullivan, and the event itself signals a careful balance of continuity and new voices as the US chases a deep, adaptable squad for the Winter Games in Italy.

Jack Roslovic remains unsigned as the NHL free-agent market dwindles, and Vancouver Canucks interest has become a focal point of late-season chatter. Roslovic posted 22 goals and 17 assists for Carolina last year, a profile that makes him a versatile, high‑upside center option for a team aiming to deepen its middle and lift its scoring to playoff contention. The Canucks’ bid to add Roslovic comes as they weigh how to maximize Brock Boeser’s return while also addressing depth up the middle and on the wings. Toronto is another hotspot in the Roslovic sweepstakes, underscoring the positional value he provides to a team starved for scoring punch and two-way reliability. The offseason storylines pivot on whether Vancouver can close the deal with Roslovic and how that would alter Boeser’s usage and line combinations, potentially reshaping Vancouver’s lineup as rosters finalize.

The Canucks are believed to be prioritizing a significant upgrade in depth and scoring to push back into postseason contention, and Roslovic’s playmaking ability could complement Boeser’s scoring and the club’s growth trajectory. If Vancouver lands Roslovic, he could slot into a high-leverage center role, possibly anchoring a new top-six alongside Boeser or providing a reliable pivot for a revamped power play. That hypothetical pairing would likely shift Boeser’s usage and could boost several Vancouver wings, while Roslovic’s two-way game would help the Canucks contend with more complete, matchup-aware lines. The Hurricanes veteran status of Roslovic also hints at an adaptable player who could quickly acclimate to Vancouver’s system and culture, giving fantasy managers a reason to monitor his signing closely as rosters take shape.

In the broader context, the Leafs have been a frequent rumor, but the Canucks’ pursuit highlights a broader trend: teams valuing depth at center and the ability to drive secondary scoring. If Roslovic signs, Vancouver’s immediate fantasy impact would hinge on line placement and PP usage, but the baseline is clear—a 20+ goal center who can contribute 0.50+ points per game and add value on special teams could be a meaningful boost for a team aiming to return to the postseason and challenge for the top half of its division.