10. John Gibson – Detroit Red Wings

John Gibson finally gets a fresh start, landing in Detroit after years of trade rumors. The Red Wings desperately needed stability in net after cycling through five goalies last season, and Gibson brings experience and pedigree to the crease. The upside is still there, as when healthy, Gibson has shown he can be a legit difference-maker. Detroit offers a more structured system, giving up fewer shots and high-danger chances than Anaheim, which could go a long way in stabilizing his game. Still, durability is a concern. Cam Talbot is still in the mix, so Gibson has to prove that he can handle a lion's share of the workload.

9. Andrew Mangiapane – Edmonton Oilers

Any time a player makes the move to Edmonton, you have to factor in the upside that comes with skating next to two of the league's top producers. Andrew Mangiapane now gets that opportunity. For a player who has already hit 35 goals in a season, if he locks down a top-six role it could easily get him back within range. It is a low-risk move for the Oilers, but one with real upside.  Mangiapane may not carry much name value in drafts, but the opportunity in front of him is legit. In competitive fantasy leagues, he should absolutely be on the radar and probably not sitting in free agency for long.

8. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – Buffalo Sabres

The JJ Peterka trade may not have been Buffalo's preferred outcome, but they managed to make the most of the situation, and it may have worked in UPL's favor. With the addition of Alex Lyon, the Sabres have doubled down on their commitment to UPL as their clear No. 1 giving Devon Levi more time to develop in the AHL. Whether it was James Reimer before or Lyon now, the backup role remains just that, support for Luukkonen, not a threat. A blue line featuring Dahlin, Power, Kesselring, Samuelsson, and maybe Byram gives Buffalo a strong foundation in front of UPL who is slowly starting to meet the expectations that followed him at the draft.

7. Connor McMichael – Washington Capitals

With Andrew Mangiapane's departure, Connor McMichael has a real shot to lock down a full-time top-six role. The flashes were there last season, he saw time on the second line and even PP1 but constant lineup shuffling made it hard for him to gain traction. Now, the left side opens up, and outside of Anthony Beauvillier, there is little standing in McMichael's way. This is likely the clearest path to steady minutes and offensive deployment. It is the kind of opportunity that could spark real growth, but it will come down to fit and trust. If he clicks early and earns Carbery's trust, McMichael has a real shot to build on last year's momentum.

6. Alexis Lafreniere – New York Rangers

Alexis Lafrenière enters the season facing a familiar question, does he finally break into the Rangers' top power-play unit, or has that ship sailed? His draft pedigree no longer carries weight with nearly 400 games in, he still lacks a clear offensive identity, especially with the man advantage. Even-strength growth has been modest, but the power-play ceiling remains untouched. On paper, this is the best shot he will ever have at unlocking more value, but it might also be his last. If he lands on the top unit and finally clicks, there is still time to reshape his narrative. If he misses the cut again, or underperforms in the role, the conversation may shift from "what could be" to "what never was."

5. Lukas Dostal – Anaheim Ducks

Dostal now steps into the No. 1 role in Anaheim and the timing feels right. The 25-year-old proved he could handle the load last season, posting a 12.04 GSAx. His calm reads and technical game kept the Ducks competitive in plenty of matchups they had no business hanging around in. The situation around him is also starting to improve. Anaheim is still rebuilding, but the pieces are coming together. Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier are developing, while veterans like Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund bring structure and leadership. The pressure is going up, but so is the support.

4. Matias Maccelli – Toronto Maple Leafs

Maccelli's scoring pace dropped hard last season, falling to 27 points after back-to-back years around the 60-point mark. He has been catapulted from a bottom-six role to a top-six, riding shotgun next to Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, an instant upgrade. Maccelli is a high-end passer and playmaker, so playing with an elite finisher like Matthews should elevate his 5v5 production significantly. The one drawback is PP time. In Toronto, he will likely land on the second unit, similar to his PP share in Utah or maybe even lower. Either way, Maccelli lands in a stronger offensive setup in Toronto with better linemates, steadier usage, and clear bounce-back potential.

3. Tony DeAngelo – New York Islanders

With Noah Dobson now in Montreal, Tony DeAngelo has a clear shot at running the Islanders' top power-play unit. He handled that role in stretches after arriving midseason from the KHL, and with no Dobson in the picture, the opportunity is his to lose. A healthy Mathew Barzal returns, and the additions of Jonathan Drouin and Maxim Shabanov bring more puck skill and offensive creativity, both should help DeAngelo's setup game. However, nothing is locked in. His track record of clashing with coaches and his offense-only style makes his usage volatile. High risk, high reward!

2. JJ Peterka – Utah Mammoth

In Buffalo, Peterka saw strong minutes and played with top-tier talent like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, but the Sabres' power play was bottom-tier. Utah brings a different structure. He likely slides in behind Clayton Keller on the second line with Logan Cooley, Nick Schmaltz, or Barrett Hayton, who are solid linemates, even if not quite the same level. The real win could be on the PP. Utah finished top 10 in PP efficiency last season, and there is a good shot Peterka grabs a spot on the top unit. Even if his 5-on-5 usage dips, the upgrade in man-advantage opportunity gives his fantasy value a real lift.

1. Nikolaj Ehlers – Carolina Hurricanes

Nikolaj Ehlers arrives in Carolina on a stacked roster, but his value hinges on landing in the right role. The best case is a top line spot with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, a setup that would unlock his offensive upside. That would push Andrei Svechnikov down to the second line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, something Carolina has done before and could easily do again. Coach Rod Brind'Amour will tinker with line combinations early on, and Ehlers is almost certain to get a shot with the top unit. It's not guaranteed, but his chances of securing that role in Carolina are far better than what he had in Winnipeg.

Thanks for reading! See you next week! For more fantasy hockey content and analysis, follow me on X @Punters_hockey. If you have any questions about your team or a trade? My DMs are always open, happy to help!