Training camps have barely opened, and the first boards are already crowded with new line looks, a major goalie standoff in Winnipeg and several injury files that will need watching before opening night. Connor Hellebuyck’s absence from Jets camp is the biggest early jolt: Winnipeg has suspended the three-time Vezina Trophy winner after he did not report, with the goaltender having made his trade request public earlier in the offseason.
Hellebuyck remains an elite goaltending talent no matter where he ultimately plays, but the uncertainty is changing his early fantasy draft picture. His average draft position sits at 24.5, though a prolonged situation with the Jets could push him into the third round. For Winnipeg, the immediate issue is less about a crease competition than whether its franchise goalie returns to the room at all.
In Montreal, Chris Kreider got a prominent first look after joining the Canadiens on a one-year deal earlier this month. Anaheim terminated his previous contract, and the veteran winger opened camp beside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Kreider has reached 30 goals three times and has consistently produced in the hard areas, including on high-danger chances. Despite that profile, he has not been regularly selected in early fantasy drafts.
Los Angeles gave Quinton Byfield a prime assignment, placing the 24-year-old center between Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe. Byfield took off after Panarin arrived from the New York Rangers last season, scoring 13 goals across 24 games. He finished the year with career bests of 24 goals and 180 shots in 79 games. The second overall pick from the 2020 draft is coming off the board at an average position of 136.8, a modest price for a player whose speed bursts, skating workload and shot-location numbers point toward another step forward.
Fresh combinations around the league
Washington began camp with a family connection on one of its forward units. Rookie Ilya Protas skated with his brother, Aliaksei Protas, and newcomer Jordan Kyrou. Ilya Protas made an encouraging four-game NHL introduction last season, recording one goal and three assists, including a power-play marker, on seven shots. He joins Cole Hutson and Ryan Leonard among the young pieces Washington sees as part of its next core, and the early placement gives him a useful opportunity within an already deep Capitals forward group.
San Jose is also testing a new addition in a high-leverage spot. Mason Marchment, signed for five years in the offseason, opened on the Sharks’ top line with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Marchment closed last season strongly with Columbus, putting up 32 points over his final 39 games, and added 84 hits in 68 total appearances. Regular shifts beside Celebrini, already viewed as a top-tier player and a possible Hart Trophy contender, could give Marchment a far larger offensive runway than his 130.7 average draft position suggests.
Elsewhere, Toronto put Gavin McKenna with William Nylander and John Tavares, while Chicago used Roman Kantserov alongside Frank Nazar and Patrick Kane. Minnesota’s early grouping had Maxim Shabanov skating with Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman.
There are also medical situations that could reshape camp decisions. Colorado defenseman Cale Makar, Detroit captain Dylan Larkin, Florida winger Brad Marchand and New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal are all injury cases to track as teams move from practice groups toward preseason games.
