Pettersson, Shesterkin and Klingberg emerge as top positive regression candidates for 2025-26, with Pettersson eyeing a return to 30+ goals and 80+ points amid a fresh Canucks start, Shesterkin rebounding behind a steadier Rangers lineup, and Klingberg potentially reviving his PP quarterback role in San Jose. On the downside, Wilson, Walman and Kuemper carry clear regression flags: Wilson’s goal rate looks unlikely to hold, Walman’s role may shrink, and Kuemper could drift toward an average starter.

These projections hinge on health, coaching changes, and lineup stability, then translate into concrete fantasy implications: draft around risk-reward for goaltending with Kuemper, and target players like Pettersson and Shesterkin where firm performance anchors are likely despite surrounding team turbulence. The article places these players in a realistic context for 2025-26 rosters and DFS/casual fantasy planning.

The Vancouver Canucks enter camp with a clear question at center after J.T. Miller’s offseason exit: who will anchor the second line? Filip Chytil is the top internal bet, projected to work with Pettersson and Kane, while Vancouver pursues internal options like Raty, Sasson, and Mueller. Management admires patience but won’t ignore outside options if results lag, with playoff odds at +115 to make the postseason and a high cost for a quick fix.

Jack Hughes publicly voiced a wish to someday play with Quinn Hughes, fuelling chatter about a potential three-Hughes lineup, with Luke also in the mix on a distant timeline. The idea anchors fantasy-mantle intrigue as cap reality and current contracts loom large.

Quinn offered a measured take, acknowledging it would be fun but stressing his Vancouver future and the team’s direction. Jack is tied to New Jersey through 2029-30, Luke’s status remains unsettled, and Vancouver’s leadership has floated sibling reunions as a possibility, depending on how contracts and teams align.

Historically, Quinn’s Norris-winning 92-point season in 2023-24 and Jack’s 43-goal, 99-point peak in 2022-23 anchor the upside. Luke sits at 93 points across 155 games. With the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics on the horizon for Quinn and a likely American roster spot for Jack, the Hughes saga remains a magnet for fans and fantasy managers alike.

Elias Pettersson is healthy and believes the Canucks can elevate their ceiling this season, stressing a focused training camp and a strong start in Penticton ahead of a 2025-26 push. Vancouver aims to rebound from injuries and a playoff miss, using a stable core and a refreshed staff to set a sharper tone at season’s start.

The club kept its core in place, with Brock Boeser signing a seven-year, $50.75M extension, Thatcher Demko locking in for three years, and Conor Garland signing for six. Vancouver opted for internal continuity, elevating Adam Foote to head coach, signaling trust in the current group and a clearer, defense-anchored path forward.

Veteran voices like Tyler Myers emphasize turning last season’s lessons into a fresh start, while the club eyes improved offense after a disappointing showing. The season opener on Oct. 9 against Calgary will test a healthier roster as the Canucks pursue a return to the playoffs.

Connor McDavid isn’t in a rush to re-sign with Edmonton, and the Oilers are playing the long game. LeBrun says the negotiation will be quick once McDavid is ready, but the key question is what length and structure he wants to commit to. The earliest worry for Oilers fans could come at season start if there’s no extension, yet McDavid’s leverage is clear: he wants to understand the team’s direction before sealing a multi-year deal. Leon Draisaitl’s extension a year ago provides context, but the center of gravity remains McDavid’s timeline and the franchise’s future shape.

Edmonton will stay patient and cordial, building the path to a deal around McDavid’s heart and mind. If or when he signs, expect a compact, five-minute negotiation rather than a protracted auction. The broader rumor mill about All-Star concepts and other contracts underscores how fragile cap planning remains, but this is squarely a McDavid-first situation that could redefine the Oilers’ ceiling for years to come.