As the 2026-27 NHL season approaches, training camp is where rosters are forged and futures are decided. Yahoo Sports has identified four key positional battles that will determine which players earn a spot on the opening night lineup and which find themselves on the waiver wire or in the minors. These matchups often pit established veterans against hungry prospects, or feature two players competing for the same role on a team with limited roster flexibility. For fans, these battles add a layer of drama to the preseason that can shape a team's entire season, as the wrong decision at camp can leave a roster thin at a critical position. Keep an eye on these four situations as camp gets underway, because the outcomes could define whether a team overachieves or falls short of expectations.

Four NHL Training Camp Battles To Follow In 2026-27  Yahoo Sports