Andrei Bakanov signs with the Norfolk Admirals for 2025-26, adding another chapter to a pro journey that has spanned the KHL and multiple North American leagues. At 23, he returns to Norfolk after a season that saw him hop between five teams, reflecting both resilience and the growth curve typical for a developing forward in the Jets’ ecosystem. Expect a battle for depth roles, with potential for AHL call-ups if he finds consistency in the Admirals’ system.

His prior season included a career-high for Worcester Railers (24 points in 62 games) and stints across Worcester, Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Idaho, and Norfolk. Fantasy managers should monitor his ice time, pace, and penalty-kill duty as indicators of value in the ECHL and possible springboard opportunities in the AHL and beyond, especially if he carves out a top-nine or power-play role.

Connor Hellebuyck powered Winnipeg to the Presidents’ Trophy with a Hart- and Vezina-winning season, posting 47-12-3, .925 SV% and 2.00 GAA. He carried the Jets deep into the playoffs, including two shutouts against Dallas, before a seven-game tilt with St. Louis underscored the climb ahead. Postseason numbers highlighted blemishes, but his big-picture focus remains on consistency and the crease foundation he’s built.

With Jonathan Toews adding veteran heft, Winnipeg eyes another Cup run. The offseason context includes Linus Ullmark in Ottawa and Dustin Wolf in Calgary, framing a league-wide backdrop as Hellebuyck and the Jets pursue continued elite play and a deeper playoff push.

Avalanche power play overhaul is the focal point for 2025-26 as Colorado shifts to a new voice with Hakstol and a training camp packed with both returning stars and fresh options. The unit faces the challenge of reviving volume and quality of chances after a brutal seven-game playoff with Dallas, trusting MacKinnon and Makar while layering in Landeskog, Nichushkin, Olofsson and Burns to diversify looks and unleash two potent setups.

With Burns at the top of the setup and a mix of net-front and bumper options—Landeskog, Nichushkin, Lehkonen, Rantanen and others—the Avs aim for a flexible approach that could resemble PP1 and PP1.5 rather than a single elite unit. Training camp will reveal how the new depth translates to ice time, with a core built to push Colorado back to the top of the NHL power-play charts.

The 2025-26 NHL season opens with Carolina and Edmonton as co-favorites at TitanPlay, Florida and Colorado close behind, signaling a high-stakes Cup chase. Florida keeps its core while Carolina added talent, creating a crowded race among the top four. Historic moments—Orr’s Cup-clinching overtime, Ovechkin passing Gretzky, Lemieux’s comeback, and Selanne’s rookie explosion—anchor contemporary fantasy narratives, shaping milestone-driven ceilings for stars and sleepers alike.