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Will Adam Fantilli sign a contract in time? When will Quinn Hughes sign an extension? What will happen to Connor Hellebuyck?

This week, The Athletic asked its staff for one burning question facing each NHL team heading into training camp, and those were just a few of the enticing storylines we heard about in response.

With camps opening this week and the preseason around the corner, here’s what we have our eyes on.

Anaheim Ducks

When will Cutter Gauthier sign an extension?

The Ducks’ leading scorer from last season remains unsigned. Is another of their top restricted free agents bound to withhold his services as camp opens? Gauthier didn’t have the leverage of salary arbitration and wasn’t eligible for an offer sheet, but the 22-year-old is bound to land a massive deal after a breakout 41-goal season. The sides continue to talk and after the Chris Kreider contract termination, there is $15.5 million of cap space, per PuckPedia, so those are positive developments. — Eric Stephens

Boston Bruins

Can they develop or acquire a No. 1 center?

The Bruins upgraded at wing by acquiring JJ Peterka. They have proven finishers in David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie. But Elias Lindholm, who is 31 with back injuries, does not project to be a top-line center. Pavel Zacha is in the last year of his contract. Could Fraser Minten or James Hagens become a No. 1 center? If not, could the Bruins trade for one? — Fluto Shinzawa

Buffalo Sabres

Who will be the top-line center?

The Sabres ended the season with Tage Thompson on the wing. If that holds, Buffalo’s forward depth chart hinges on who Lindy Ruff uses as the top-line center. Josh Norris is a possibility, but Jiří Kulich is returning after missing most of last season with a blood clot issue. And Konsta Helenius asserted himself as a top-six option with his performance in the playoffs and at the World Championship. Losing Alex Tuch means more opportunity for Buffalo’s young forwards.— Matt Fairburn

Calgary Flames

Is Šimon Nemec the Flames’ true No. 1 defenseman?

The Flames are in rebuild mode and will enter a new season as a likely front-runner in the Landon DuPont sweepstakes next summer. Until then, plenty of eyes will surround the Flames’ future on defense. Newcomer Nemec fits exactly in GM Craig Conroy’s purview as a talented young player hungry for more opportunity. He gets it in Calgary. The question is how much he’ll run with it. — Julian McKenzie

Carolina Hurricanes

Who will fill in for Seth Jarvis?

Jarvis finally had his long-delayed shoulder surgery in late June, and his recovery is expected to take four to six months. That means there’s a big opportunity in Carolina’s top six. Bradly Nadeau, who scored at a half-a-goal-per-game pace in the AHL the last two seasons, could be in line to earn a roster spot and also play on one of the top two lines. Felix Unger Sörum and Justin Robidas could also have something to say about it, and don’t forget about Jesperi Kotkaniemi — can he win a job? — Cory Lavalette

Chicago Blackhawks

Will they take a step forward this season?

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson went about this offseason as if he was trying to build a winning team rather than continuing the rebuild. By aggressively pursuing Bowen Byram to be their No. 1 defenseman, bringing back Patrick Kane, signing promising prospect Roman Kantserov and adding three veterans who fit specific team needs, Davidson made some significant changes. The Blackhawks should be better than their four consecutive bottom-three finishes, but how much better can they be? — Scott Powers

Colorado Avalanche

Can Martin Nečas do it again?

In his first full season with Colorado last year, Nečas scored 100 points for the first time in his career and produced as much on a per-60 basis as Mikko Rantanen, the guy he functionally replaced. In that regard, it was mission accomplished. Whether he can make it work away from Nathan MacKinnon, though, remains an open question. — Sean Gentille

Columbus Blue Jackets

Will Adam Fantilli sign a contract in time?

It’s been a messy summer for the Blue Jackets — headlined by the Zach Werenski trade kerfuffle — but there’s still some business to tend to before camp gets started. Fantilli, the Jackets’ 21-year-old No. 1 center, remains a restricted free agent. He won’t be coming to training camp without a deal, agent Pat Brisson said. With fewer preseason games (four) and a shorter training camp, any days Fantilli misses will have a bigger impact. — Aaron Portzline

Dallas Stars

Do they have enough depth to keep contending?

There will be time for hand-wringing over Jason Robertson’s long-term future in Dallas, but the Stars do have him for now. The question is, do they have enough around him? Tyler Seguin’s knee, the Mavrik Bourque salary dump and Jamie Benn’s decline have left the Stars looking a little thin up front after years of being the deepest team around. Robertson and Wyatt Johnston were the only Stars truly producing during that first-round loss to Colorado. They’ll need more to make another run. — Mark Lazerus

Detroit Red Wings

Who is the GM?

The answer could be “everything,” but let’s start at the top. The Red Wings don’t have a GM after removing Steve Yzerman from the post in mid-July. They also need to figure out how to resolve Dylan Larkin’s trade request, a new contract for Simon Edvinsson and ideally get some clarity on Alex DeBrincat’s future, too. But hiring a GM is the key domino for most of that, and also the biggest source of uncertainty right now. — Max Bultman

Edmonton Oilers

How will players respond to Mike Babcock?

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have endorsed Edmonton’s new head coach several times this summer, but we have yet to see how Babcock imprints on the rest of the roster. Many of his former depth players have shared stories of his “verbal attacks,” openly labeling him a bully. In any case, Babcock is now tasked with rejuvenating a team that took a massive step backward last season and only shuffled a few pieces during the offseason. — Janson Duench

Florida Panthers

Can they regain their Stanley Cup-contending form?

There’s a lot of change in South Florida, from the arrival of Brady Tkachuk to a huge swap in goal with the departure of Sergei Bobrovsky. But the biggest question facing the team is whether a much healthier version can revert back to the juggernaut it was prior to last season’s disastrous campaign. Having Aleksander Barkov back obviously helps, but Jacob Markström is an open question in goal, and in a tough division they can’t afford to have more significant injuries without any youngsters coming. — James Mirtle

The path is now open for Quinton Byfield to become the Kings’ No. 1 center. (Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Kings

Is Quinton Byfield up to being their No. 1 center?

With franchise legend Anže Kopitar now enjoying retirement, the time has officially come for Byfield to emerge as the kind of player a franchise can build around. The 24-year-old played more than ever last season but still managed a modest 24 goals and 49 points despite getting regular turns on the power play and penalty kill. The path is open for Byfield to be L.A.’s 1C, and he could have the opportunity to burst through what’s become a 55-point ceiling. — Eric Stephens

Minnesota Wild

When will Quinn Hughes sign an extension?

There are plenty of on-ice questions, such as who will replace Mats Zuccarello on the top line and how Maxim Shabanov will look. But the biggest storyline now is whether Quinn Hughes will sign an extension — and when. Hughes spoke positively about the Wild during his appearance at the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour in Vegas last week, and I still expect something to get done. But Hughes doesn’t seem to be in any rush. It’ll happen when he’s ready, even if that means closer to the start of the season or during the season. — Joe Smith

Montreal Canadiens

Will David Reinbacher make the team?

Reinbacher is entering his fourth season since being selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Enough time has passed to reasonably expect a player drafted that high to be an NHL regular. Adding Reinbacher’s right shot to the blue-line group would allow the Canadiens to move Lane Hutson back to his natural left side, but more importantly, it would allow them to see what they have in a player they used a very valuable draft pick on three years ago. — Arpon Basu

Nashville Predators

Do they have any chance of competing?

It’s clear the Preds are thinking more about the future under new GM Chris MacFarland, as they should. But this team still has several high-priced veterans whose individual windows are closing soon. And MacFarland just sent a good, young top-six forward in Luke Evangelista to the New Jersey Devils for picks. The return (a first and second) was good, but those vets couldn’t have liked it. — Joseph Rexrode

New Jersey Devils

How will the goaltending shake out?

The Devils traded Jacob Markström to the Panthers earlier this summer and focused on improving their team in other areas, namely with added forward depth. Jake Allen is the presumed starter heading into camp, with David Rittich and Nico Daws battling for the No. 2 job. Who has the upper hand of those two? Will GM Sunny Mehta look to add another goalie to the mix, either with a waiver claim or another transaction? — Peter Baugh

New York Islanders

Can Peter DeBoer rebuild their defensive structure?

Shutdown defense was a trademark for the Islanders under Barry Trotz. But since his departure, those strengths have become real weaknesses. The Isles bled scoring chances last year, which eventually weighed on Ilya Sorokin and burned the team down the stretch. So now it’s up to DeBoer to help restore structure on Long Island. It’s going to be a test of his coaching, which has a strong reputation in regular-season action, considering some of the holes on the team. — Shayna Goldman

New York Rangers

How will the new players fit?

The decision to retool rather than rebuild led to a flurry of offseason moves from GM Chris Drury. He traded for scoring winger Pavel Dorofeyev and defensemen Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson, and signed depth forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand, Eeli Tolvanen and Joe Veleno. That undoubtedly raised the floor for a roster that finished worst in the East last season, but New York’s ceiling remains in question. The new additions will go a long way toward determining whether Drury chose the right path. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano

Ottawa Senators

Who will be captain this season?

The Senators intend to name a new captain to replace Brady Tkachuk. There are lingering questions over their toughness and offensive production in his absence. They’ve started that process with the acquisitions of William Eklund and André Burakovsky, and internal growth of their own players. But who gets to lead them all? Ottawa has a handful of options worth considering, including Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. — Julian McKenzie

Philadelphia Flyers

How much will Porter Martone and Matvei Michkov contribute?

They are still arguably the two most important players in the organization — Martone, who burst onto the scene late last season and is a Calder Trophy front-runner, and Michkov, who had an outstanding rookie season before regressing in 2025-26. Whether the Flyers make the playoffs again this season could depend on how much these two are able to generate offense, particularly after the Flyers’ lack of offseason activity. — Kevin Kurz

Pittsburgh Penguins

Is there room for the young guys?

Ville Koivunen just got paid. Rutger McGroarty is a significant prospect. Avery Hayes looked like he belonged last season. But the Penguins are staggeringly deep at forward. Is there any room for these three forwards when the season begins? And if there’s not, what does that say about a youth movement that should be underway? — Josh Yohe

San Jose Sharks

Can Yaroslav Askarov rebound and fulfill his immense promise?

The 24-year-old goalie often struggled with inconsistency in an erratic 2025-26 season. For the Sharks to take that next step and become a playoff team, Askarov must iron out his uneven play and become the go-to star many have envisioned. — Eric Stephens

Seattle Kraken

Can a star player emerge internally?

From Artemi Panarin to Jason Robertson, the Kraken’s pursuit of a difference-making, needle-moving, market-energizing player has been well documented over the past year. The struggling, still-recent expansion club, however, has been unable to land the sort of franchise player Seattle hasn’t identified since entering the league. Can a star emerge internally in Seattle at training camp? Chase Reid is at least a year away, so all eyes will be on Berkly Catton and Jake O’Brien when the Kraken open camp.— Thomas Drance

St. Louis Blues

How will the additions and subtractions change things?

The Blues haven’t overhauled their roster, but the changes are significant. Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael have been added to the forward group, and Jordan Kyrou is gone. The team needed a new look, but will the additions help the scoring-challenged offense? On defense, Brandon Carlo brings experience, but how big of a difference can he make? It’s a new era with new GM Alexander Steen, and while promising, there are more unknowns than in the past. — Jeremy Rutherford

Tampa Bay Lightning

What does Victor Hedman have left in the tank?

The Lightning’s strategy throughout this window has revolved around its elite core. But now there are some brewing questions around pivotal parts of it, such as Hedman. Before missing time down the stretch, his 2025-26 season was far from perfect. And while there is help to shoulder his workload — John Carlson will likely run the top power play and J.J. Moser has developed into a real defensive threat — a resurgence from Hedman would still go a long way. — Shayna Goldman

Toronto Maple Leafs

Is this too much newness at once?

The Leafs have a new GM, new head coach, scores of new players (including the No. 1 pick at the draft) as well as staff members in just about every department. All of it collides together for the first time in a truncated training camp this fall. Will it be a (relatively) seamless transition? Or will there be some growing pains as all that newness meshes together? — Jonas Siegel

Utah Mammoth

Which top prospects could make a legit impact?

Between Tij Iginla, Dmitri Simashev and Daniil But, the Mammoth have three top-15 picks who are hungry to prove themselves as full-time NHL players. These three have exceptional pedigree and Simashev and But even played some NHL games last season. Step one at camp will be making the team, but the burning question after that is whether any of them could take an unexpectedly big leap and find themselves in a prominent role higher in the lineup by the end of the season. — Harman Dayal

Vancouver Canucks

When will we see Thatcher Demko?

Thatcher Demko remains without a timeline to return. Demko, 30, has dealt with a litany of injuries over the past two and a half years. Now entering the first year of a three-year, $25.5 million contract and reportedly coming off multiple offseason surgeries, the question is: When will we see Demko, and what does that mean for Vancouver? The Canucks have already brought in Chris Driedger on a PTO and own the top waiver priority. Goaltending, as ever, will be a story in Vancouver this season. — Thomas Drance

Vegas Golden Knights

Who will fill Pavel Dorofeyev’s shoes?

Trading Dorofeyev, the team’s leading scorer the past two seasons, to New York leaves a major hole in Vegas’ top six, and several candidates will be vying to fill it. The favorite is Brett Howden, who led the team with 14 goals in the playoffs after scoring only 12 during the regular season. Braeden Bowman and 2024 first-round pick Trevor Connelly will also be hoping for the opportunity. — Jesse Granger

Alex Ovechkin is back for a 22nd NHL season. (Jamie Sabau / Getty Images)

Washington Capitals

How much does Alex Ovechkin have left, and what will his role be?

The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer is back for a 22nd NHL season at age 41 (as of Sept. 17). He’s coming off a season in which he somehow scored 32 goals in a career-low 17:27 TOI. Only five of those goals came on the power play. Are the days of Ovi double-shifting on the PP over? Will the Caps’ added forward depth spread out the scoring burden? Will coach Spencer Carbery continue to hide Ovechkin in the defensive zone? The roster is better. Can Ovechkin, a career leading man, play a supporting role? — Barry Svrluga

Winnipeg Jets

What will happen to Connor Hellebuyck?

Hellebuyck’s private trade request recently turned public as he doubled down on his desire for change. The Jets tried to trade him during the summer, but were never able to get the deal that satisfied Kevin Cheveldayoff. Will this lead to a holdout, as I expect? A last-minute change of heart, as some fans still hope? And when Hellebuyck is traded, whether it takes weeks or months, how does Winnipeg stay competitive without him? — Murat Ates