With training camps now underway, numerous news stories have surfaced that could affect fantasy leaguers. With that in mind, let’s get right down to the news.
Mason McTavish still remains unsigned and has been skating with the Ottawa 67s of the OHL. One downside if you have McTavish stock is that he is missing out on learning new coach Joel Quenneville’s system, which might put him behind the 8-ball even if he signs before the season starts. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Ducks want to lock up McTavish long-term but a gap still exists between the two sides. Anaheim has more cap space than anyone in the league, so fitting McTavish in that way is not an issue. It’s just a difference between what the team and player believe he is worth, as well as agreement on the term.
Luke Hughes and the Devils still haven’t reached agreement on a long-term deal. One burning question for fantasy teams is whether Hughes or Dougie Hamilton will be the defenseman on the Devils’ top power play. Hughes’s absence from training camp gives Hamilton the upper hand in terms of practicing with the top unit, even if Hughes has the higher long-term power-play upside. Hughes had an 84.2% PP IPP last season compared to 41.7% for Hamilton, yet Hamilton has been the preferred option due to experience (and with that, contract). The sooner this is resolved, the better this is for anyone with Hughes stock.
Seamus Casey, who showed offensive upside early last season and during brief callups, could be in the Devils’ opening-night lineup if Hughes isn’t. I can’t help but think Simon Nemec would benefit as well, although he is a different shot defenseman than Hughes and is already projected to receive second-unit power-play time.
I can’t help but think about Luke’s long-term value if there’s anything to brother Quinn Hughes joining him in New Jersey over the next season or two. Again, I like Luke’s long-term upside, but Quinn would clearly be on their top power play. Last season, Luke had the highest power-play point total (16 PPP) among defensemen with sub-50% power-play time on their teams, which was tied for 18th among all defensemen. Thomas Harley was the highest-scoring overall defenseman (50 PTS) among blueliners with sub-50% power-play time on their teams, which was 15th overall among all defensemen. Defensemen on PP2 can be valuable contributors to fantasy teams, but they won’t reach that top tier.
Luke Evangelista, Alexander Holtz, and Rasmus Kupari are the other restricted free agents that still remain unsigned.
–
Now for some injury updates:
Artemi Panarin left Friday’s practice with a lower-body injury. Following practice, new Rangers coach Mike Sullivan labeled Panarin’s status as “precautionary”, as this is early in training camp. This doesn’t seem like a serious injury, so there is probably no need to move Panarin down your draft boards unless he misses more practices and even preseason games. Panarin has been the picture of health in recent seasons, only missing two games over the past three seasons. It is also worth mentioning that Panarin is in a contract year, with his seven-year contract signed in 2019 in its final season.
Jack Eichel resumed practicing on Friday after missing Thursday’s practice because of a “little tweak” as described by Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. Like Panarin, Eichel is in a contract year. This is turning out to be quite a season for players on the final year of their contracts with Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, and Kyle Connor also among the notable names.
Zeev Buium missed Friday’s practice after suffering an upper-body injury on Thursday. According to Wild coach John Hynes, the injury is not believed to be serious. Buium is considered to be in a training camp battle with Brock Faber and Jared Spurgeon to be on the top power play. With three different defensemen battling for one spot, I don’t recommend drafting any of them with a high pick in single-season leagues. For what it’s worth, Buium was on the top power play for the Wild in their first-round series. Missed time in camp could shift the odds toward Faber or Spurgeon, though.
Macklin Celebrini was not on the ice for training camp on Friday because he was not feeling well. Celebrini left early on Thursday for that reason. This doesn’t sound serious either.
–
Some veterans who won’t be on many fantasy teams but might be worth mentioning due to general interest:
Kevin Hayes will miss the start of the 2025-26 season with an upper-body injury. He will next be evaluated in a month, so the next update on his status will likely be mid-to-late October. Hayes missing the start of the season improves the chances of Filip Hallander or Robby Fabbri (on a PTO) making the opening-night roster.
Alexander Kerfoot is considered week-to-week due to a lower-body injury.
–
A scary situation this summer for Rasmus Dahlin and his fiancée Carolina Matovac, who went into major heart failure while on vacation in France. Carolina received CPR but was on life support for weeks before she received a heart transplant in a French hospital. All the best to Rasmus and Carolina in her recovery. You can read more details from the Buffalo Sabres website.
–
📢 Exciting news! DobberHockey is proud to announce we’re an official sponsor of the 32 Thoughts Podcast with @FriedgeHNIC & @SportsnetKyle !
For the next three weeks, as preseason camp battles unfold, you’ll hear DobberHockey’s 20th Annual Fantasy Hockey Guide plugged on the… pic.twitter.com/avgHTo1djT
— Dobber (@DobberHockey) September 17, 2025
It was great to hear Friedman talk about the DobberHockey Fantasy Guide! (Yes, it was an ad, for those of you who don’t like commercials of any kind.) Regardless, don’t be the one in your league who misses out.
Of course, something mentioned in the ad that you are probably already aware of if you are a Dobber regular is that the guide is constantly updated. That includes a page that lists players on PTOs (titled Training Camp Invites). Although many of the players listed won’t crack an NHL roster and most shouldn’t be targeted in fantasy leagues, a few might find a way to crack fantasy relevance this season.
Matt Grzelcyk (CHI)
It was surprising to see a defenseman that reached 40 points in the prior season not land an NHL contract, but the best that Grzelcyk could do was land a PTO with the Blackhawks. Still, Grzelcyk has to be at the top of the list in terms of potential fantasy upside for his ability to contribute to a power play (career-high 15 PPP in 2024-25).
According to Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill, the team plans to sign Grzelcyk if their young defensemen don’t appear to be NHL-ready. But if they are ready, Grzelcyk probably won’t receive a contract. The three that jump to mind are Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Kevin Korchinski. All of them have the upside to contribute in fantasy leagues, but the Blackhawks have a much bigger issue than assembling the strongest fantasy team. Only one defenseman under contract (Connor Murphy) has celebrated his 25th birthday, so NHL experience is a major issue on this roster. Grzelcyk might not be viewed as a strong defensive defenseman, but he is 31 years old and blocked 101 shots in 2024-25.
If Grzelcyk can make the Hawks’ roster, he has a decent chance of being a popular waiver-wire add at some point during the season.
Robby Fabbri (PIT)
Fabbri’s once-promising career has been derailed by various injuries. Now 29, Fabbri will try to earn a spot on a Penguins roster that is clearly in transition. The Penguins may be bringing Fabbri in because Kevin Hayes will miss the start of the season and could be out long-term. He will battle the likes of Filip Hallander, who is returning to the Penguins organization after two seasons in Europe. Fabbri could earn a contract with a strong camp, but playing center behind long-time superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin isn’t much to get excited about fantasy-wise.
Oliver Kylington (CAR)
Kylington has played just 52 combined games over the past three seasons due to injuries and personal reasons, but prior to that he was a second-pairing defenseman with the Flames. During that season (2021-22), Kylington registered a career-high 31 points in 73 games. Whether he makes the NHL roster might depend on whether Alexander Nikishin shows he is NHL-ready during training camp. If Nikishin is ready (which he probably is), then Kylington might have to clearly beat out Mike Reilly, who is on a one-year contract at just over $1 million. Kylington has some promise, so it depends on how far the lengthy absence set him back.
Kevin Labanc (CAR)
Your favorite sleeper pick from 2018 (or thereabouts), Labanc is now trying to hang on. Labanc was a super preseason performer last season, scoring six goals in four games with the Devils. In proof that a strong camp doesn’t necessarily lead to a contract with that team (but could lead to a contract with another team), Labanc signed a one-year deal with Columbus before the season started. He finished with 12 points in 34 games before a shoulder injury ended his season. The Hurricanes have a fairly deep roster, so it may come down to whether Bradly Nadeau shows he is NHL-ready in camp.
Milan Lucic (STL)
I’ll add Lucic’s name more out of general interest than anything. Lucic last played in 2023-24, where he suited up for four games for the Bruins before taking a leave of absence and then entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. For a 37-year-old banger like Lucic, I doubt there is enough left to make the Blues, let alone make a fantasy impact. If he does make the roster, expect him to do so as a fourth-liner who can kill penalties and add some snarl.
–
Follow me on X @Ian_Gooding and Bluesky @goodsfantasyhockey.bsky.social