Fantasy spin on NHL training camps for 2025-26

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Anaheim Ducks: Wing Chris Kreider, acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers during the offseason, has opened training camp in the Ducks' top six with center Leo Carlsson and wing Troy Terry. Forward Mikael Granlund, who signed with Anaheim during the offseason after spending last season with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars, is playing on a line with wing Cutter Gauthier and center Mason McTavish. Kreider (ADP: 172.1) and Granlund (ADP: 178.6) are potential fantasy draft bargains with their changes of scenery.

Buffalo Sabres: Center Josh Norris is playing on the top line with elite goal-scorer Tage Thompson and has six points (three goals, three assists) over his first three preseason games. Norris, a bounce-back candidate, has a fantasy average draft position of 183.2.

Carolina Hurricanes: Forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed with the Hurricanes during the offseason, is playing on the top line with center Sebastian Aho and wing Seth Jarvis and also the first power play with forwards Aho, Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. Ehlers is worth prioritizing in fantasy drafts inside the top 100 overall (86.1). It's worth noting defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who has been paired with Gostisbehere at even strength, has the highest fantasy ADP (108.6) among rookies.

Colorado Avalanche: Forward Gabriel Landeskog is healthy for training camp and skating on the second line with center Brock Nelson and wing Valeri Nichushkin; Landeskog had four points (one goal, three assists) in five games during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs after returning from a long-term knee injury. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body) is week to week but hopeful for the start of the season.

Edmonton Oilers: Wing Zach Hyman (wrist) will not be available for the start of the season but is targeting Nov. 1 for his return. Elite forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are expected to play on the same line to begin this season, and wing Trent Frederic has seen time on that unit in the preseason. Frederic (ADP: 165.8) has deep sleeper potential in late rounds or off the waiver wire.

Florida Panthers: Elite wing Matthew Tkachuk will miss the start of the season because of a lower-body injury and is expected to be out until December. Tkachuk (ADP: 67.7) is worth selecting in mid-to-late rounds and stashing on injured reserve. Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (knee) is expected to miss the entire regular season. Center Anton Lundell, an in-house fantasy replacement option (ADP: 167.4) for Barkov, is day to day with an upper-body injury. Florida's top line is currently center Sam Bennett with wings Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart.

Montreal Canadiens: Center Kirby Dach (knee surgery) has been skating with wings Patrik Laine and rookie Ivan Demidov. Demidov (ADP: 128.6) is the frontrunner for the Calder Trophy and worth reaching for anytime outside the top 100 in redraft leagues. Laine (ADP: 172.5) is a bounce-back candidate; Dach is a deep sleeper going undrafted on average in fantasy.

Nashville Predators: Rookie forward Brady Martin has been playing on the top line with wing Filip Forsberg and center Ryan O'Reilly. Martin, who was selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Predators, had 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists) in 57 Ontario Hockey League games last season. He's going undrafted on average in fantasy and a rookie sleeper to prioritize in keeper and dynasty leagues.

New Jersey Devils: Elite center Jack Hughes (shoulder surgery) is healthy and skating on a line with wings Jesper Bratt and offseason addition Evgenii Dadonov. Hughes is being drafted among the top 20 overall players in fantasy (ADP: 17.4), while Dadonov is a deep sleeper going undrafted on average.

New York Islanders: Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, had an assist, five shots on goal and played 24:39 in his preseason debut against the Philadelphia Flyers. Wing Jonathan Drouin, who signed with the Islanders in the offseason, is skating on the top line with center Bo Horvat. Horvat, who is healthy after sustaining an ankle injury during the 2025 IIHF World Championship, is a potential draft bargain (ADP: 160.7).

Ottawa Senators: Wing Drake Batherson (upper body) is uncertain for the start of the season. Wing Fabian Zetterlund is filling in on the second line with center Dylan Cozens and wing David Perron. Zetterlund, who has scored 43 goals over the past two seasons combined, is a fantasy breakout candidate who's going undrafted on average.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Rookie wing Ville Koivunen is expected to play in a top-six role this season. Koivunen, who had seven assists in eight games last season, is going undrafted on average in fantasy. It's worth noting wing Bryan Rust (lower body) is out for at least two weeks, and Koivunen is filling in on the top line with elite center Sidney Crosby and wing Rickard Rakell.

San Jose Sharks: Forward Will Smith said he’ll mostly play wing this season, which could mean exposure to elite center Macklin Celebrini and/or rookie Michael Misa, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Smith’s fantasy ADP is 173.7, while Misa is being selected at 182.0 on average.

Utah Mammoth: Forward JJ Peterka, acquired in a trade with Buffalo during the offseason, is playing on the top line with wing Dylan Guenther and center Logan Cooley. Peterka (ADP: 127.3) is a full-fledged breakout candidate after setting NHL career highs in points (68) and assists (41) with the Sabres last season.

Vegas Golden Knights: Wing Mitch Marner, acquired in a sign-and-trade with the Maple Leafs during the offseason, is playing on the top line with elite center Jack Eichel and wing Ivan Barbashev. Barbashev (ADP: 165.8) is a deep sleeper because of his hits coverage (1.7 per game in NHL career).