NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 4:39 PM ET
NHL Contract Extensions and Team Moves
The San Jose Sharks secured Ty Dellandrea espn.com with a two-year, $3.25 million contract extension, locking up the forward through the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, the Utah Mammoth committed to Nick Schmaltz espn.com with an eight-year, $64 million deal, keeping the forward off the free-agent market this summer. In ownership news, Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon brought aboard three new minority stakeholders espn.com, though financial terms weren't disclosed, while the Colorado Avalanche successfully appealed Nathan MacKinnon's ejection espn.com after the NHL rescinded his game misconduct for goalie interference against Edmonton.
International Games and League Expansion
The Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators will play two games in Germany espn.com next season as part of the NHL's Global Series, marking the league's continued international expansion. Back in North America, the Professional Women's Hockey League announced a national TV broadcast espn.com for a Detroit game, significantly expanding its media footprint. The PWHL is exploring a partnership espn.com with the Ottawa Senators to secure a permanent home for its Ottawa Charge team as their current arena undergoes renovations.
Injury Updates and Player Returns
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews suffered a knee injury espn.com after a controversial hit from Anaheim's Radko Gudas, with coach Sheldon Keefe calling it a "dirty play." In contrast, Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone returned from a five-game absence espn.com and scored in a 6-2 victory over Pittsburgh. Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy scored the overtime winner espn.com against Los Angeles, then immediately left for dental surgery after losing additional teeth in the physical contest.
Trade Deadline Analysis and Playoff Picture
The NHL trade deadline sparked heated debates espn.com about which teams improved their Stanley Cup chances, with analysts divided on whether the Colorado Avalanche became unbeatable. The league upheld Ottawa's draft position espn.com, deciding against stripping the Senators' 2026 first-round pick despite their involvement in a canceled 2022 trade between Vegas and Anaheim involving Evgenii Dadonov. Updated playoff projections show the Stars-Oilers matchup espn.com potentially serving as a Western Conference finals preview, while Edmonton's path faces new questions espn.com after recent results shifted the postseason landscape.
Fantasy Hockey and League Operations
With fantasy hockey playoffs approaching, experts recommend strategic pickups espn.com from each NHL team to bolster championship rosters. A comprehensive playoff guide espn.com offers tips on lineup strategies and key player selections for fantasy managers. The NHL's Department of Player Safety continues reviewing controversial hits espn.com, including the Gudas check on Matthews, as the league balances player safety with maintaining the game's physical nature during the crucial stretch run.