Active players without a Stanley Cup remain fantasy gold, and the latest analysis spotlights how close several veteran stars are to lifting Lord Stanley. Brent Burns tops the ongoing list by career point shares, now aligned with Colorado on a one-year deal that keeps him squarely in Cup contention. Edmonton’s dynamic duo, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, continue to drive a high-ceiling offense as they chase another Finals run. Connor Hellebuyck headlines the goalie front for Winnipeg, while Mark Scheifele provides steady two-way value as the Jets push for a breakthrough. In Florida, Nate Schmidt and Tomas Nosek joined the Panthers last season and now eye a first Cup after the franchise’s triumph. Betting boards tilt toward Edmonton, Colorado and Florida, with odds shifting across operators as the 2026 chase intensifies.

Category Giants redefine value in ESPN-style NHL H2H: chase specialists who dominate one category while still contributing elsewhere. The guide spotlights Connor, Point and Thompson as goal engines; Keller and Raymond as power-play and playmaking forces; Bratt, Hughes and Necas as elite helpers; Crosby and Trocheck on faceoffs and multi-category impact; Tkachuk as a holistic asset. It also maps top goaltending bets for wins and ratios, offering a blueprint for category-focused rostering.

Beyond the obvious stars, the piece highlights under-the-radar threads across assists, blocks, hits, and saves, urging managers to balance floor and upside. The takeaway: structure your lineup to maximize wins in multiple categories by pairing reliable point-producers with high-category specialists and versatile netminders who can swing ratios in close battles.

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.