Fantasy spin on NHL training camps for 2026-27

NHL.com reacts to the biggest fantasy hockey news at the start of training camps for the 2026-27 season. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

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Hellebuyck suspended for not reporting to Jets’ training camp

Goalie Connor Hellebuyck has been suspended by the Winnipeg Jets after he failed to report to their training camp this week. Hellebuyck, who has made public his desire to be traded by the Jets earlier this offseason, is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner with fantasy bounce-back potential regardless of which team he plays for. Hellebuyck currently has an average draft position (ADP) of 24.5 but could fall into the fourth or fifth round of drafts given the uncertainty of the situation.

Kreider starts camp on Canadiens' top line

Veteran Chris Kreider, who signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens earlier this month after having his contract terminated by the Anaheim Ducks, started training camp on the top line with elite forwards Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Kreider, a three-time 30-goal scorer who has covered key NHL EDGE stats like high-danger goals, high-danger shots on goal and skating speed through the years with the New York Rangers and Ducks, is going undrafted on average in fantasy. It's worth noting that Juraj Slafkovsky skated on the second line with Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen. Kapanen, who ranked third among rookies in goals (22) last season, is considered a deep league sleeper given his exposure to Slafkovsky and Demidov.

Byfield starts camp on Kings’ top line

Center Quinton Byfield started training camp on the Los Angeles Kings’ top line with high-scoring wings Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe. Byfield, who scored 13 goals in 24 games after the Kings acquired Panarin from the New York Rangers last season, is a full-fledged breakout candidate in fantasy after setting NHL career highs in goals (24 in 79 games) and shots on goal (180) last season. Byfield, who's 24 years old and was the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, is a potential steal based on ADP (136.8) considering he covers key EDGE stats like 20-plus mph speed bursts, total skating distance and shots-by-location metrics.

Capitals start camp with Protas brothers, Leonard in top six

Rookie forward Ilya Protas started training camp on a line with his brother Aliaksei Protas and offseason addition Jordan Kyrou. Ilya Protas, who had four points (one goal, three assists), including a power-play goal, and seven shots on goal in his first four NHL games last season, is part of Washington’s deep forward group and also a building block of the team’s young core, along with defenseman Cole Hutson and forward Ryan Leonard. Ilya Protas, who’s going undrafted on average in fantasy, is worth prioritizing in keeper and dynasty leagues.

Leonard, who signed an eight-year contract with the Capitals on Sept. 17, skated on the second line with Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome and could play on the first power play with those forwards as well. Leonard is a breakout candidate attainable in the late rounds (ADP: 132.9).

Sharks’ Marchment starts camp on top line with Celebrini, Smith

Forward Mason Marchment, who signed a five-year contract with the San Jose Sharks this offseason, started training camp on the top line with the elite duo of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Marchment, who had a strong finish to last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets (32 points in final 39 games), is one of NHL.com’s top 10 fantasy sleepers for the 2026-27 season. Frequent exposure to Celebrini, who’s a top five overall player in NHL.com’s fantasy rankings and a potential Hart Trophy candidate, could make Marchment a huge fantasy steal based on ADP (130.7), especially given his strong hits coverage (84 in 68 games last season).

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Other new line combinations to monitor in fantasy: Gavin McKenna, F, TOR (with William Nylander, John Tavares); Roman Kantserov, F, CHI (with Frank Nazar, Patrick Kane); Maxim Shabanov, F, MIN (with Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartman)

Read more: Babcock to start season with McDavid, Draisaitl on same line for Oilers

Key injury situations to monitor in fantasy: Cale Makar, D, COL; Dylan Larkin, F, DET; Brad Marchand, F, FLA; Mathew Barzal, F, NYI; Mats Zuccarello, F, LAK