Happy Monday y'all!

Dobber's 21st annual Fantasy Hockey Guide is here! If you haven't checked it out yet, what are you waiting for? This is the best damn guide you'll find out there and it contains sleepers, projections, and in-depth analysis on every team. Plus, it gets updated throughout the summer so if Kirill Marchenko gets dealt or Patrik Laine finally signs somewhere, Dobber and the team will have updates for you. Make sure to get it now because there is a lot to digest in there to help you win your leagues!

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Patrick Kane is back where it all started. The former first overall pick signed in Chicago, where he was drafted 19 years ago. The Blackhawks gave him two years and $16 million so it comes out to an $8 million AAV. The team can handle such a high cap hit right now since a lot of their young guns are currently on entry level contracts or are already locked into an extension. Kane has averaged 58 points in 70 games over the previous two seasons, but playing with guys like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Anton Frondell, all of whom watched Kane win Stanley Cups while they were growing up, may give the American winger a second life with all of this young energy.

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Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars avoided arbitration as they were able to agree upon a one year, $12 million dollar contract. This walks Robertson directly into free agency next summer so the clock is ticking. Will we see a situation like we saw in Colorado, where the Avs traded Mikko Rantanen mid-season, or will they let him play the whole season with the looming threat of unrestricted free agency. Or maybe they are waiting for Tyler Seguin's contract to come off the books to ink him to a mega deal. The decision will hinder how the 2026-27 campaign unfolds for the Stars, but we are one step closer to the finish line in this saga.

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We are in the dog days of summer, but with the new 84-game schedule, we are actually closer to the start of the regular season than we typically would be as the games will start to matter at the end of September. But being at the end of July, I'll give my way too early prediction on how the Central will look like in mid-April.

Colorado Avalanche – The Avs will remain at the top of this division for another year. Nate MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and company have a sour taste in their mouth from the sweep that wiped them out of the playoffs last postseason. Coming back with primarily the same crew, they'll finish with another 50+ win season and 116 points.

Dallas Stars – After a disappointing first round exit, the Stars are still one of the top teams in the Western Conference and will have another great regular season. Robertson is playing for a major contract so I would expect another 40+ goal season from him, plus the rest of the organization is looking to get over that hump to hoist Lord Stanley. 

Utah Mammoth – Owner Ryan Smith is looking to build a contender year in and year out and their management team smashed the offseason. The Mammoth brought in Vincent Trocheck, Sebastian Cossa, and added some nice depth pieces. This organization is on the up and up.

St. Louis Blues – The Blues are another team that is on the rise, if they can stay healthy. They revamped their forward group, but Robert Thomas will have to be on the ice for them to succeed. St. Louis has a great young core of forwards and their defense is filled with solid veterans. 

Minnesota Wild -​​ The sexy names of Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes won't carry the Wild as far this season. After their top line, the roster consists of mostly third line grinding type of players so this team will outwork you, but will they get the same results two years in a row?

Nashville Predators – The Predators almost snuck into a playoff spot last year, but this offseason was about change. The new management group wants to reset what they have in Smashville and I expect some of the veterans to be moved out for pieces that fit what their current goals are.

Chicago Blackhawks – The season is already filled with anxiety as Connor Bedard had shoulder surgery in early July and is not expected back until at least November. Spencer Knight is the real deal in net and they brought back Patrick Kane to sell the hope of postseason, but I feel they are going to dig themselves into too big of a hole while their young superstar is on the shelf.

Winnipeg Jets – The Jets were the Presidents Trophy winners only two years ago, but I expect Connor Hellebuyck to be wearing a different sweater once training camps get underway. That move will have a trickle down effect on the season that will have Jets fans looking towards 2027-28.

What are your Central Division predictions? Let me know on Twitter @LAM1926. Have a great week everyone!