NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 6:42 PM ET
Contract Extensions & Trades
The San Jose Sharks locked in forward Ty Dellandrea espn.com with a two-year, $3.25 million contract extension, securing the 24-year-old's offensive contributions through the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, the Utah Mammoth re-signed star forward Nick Schmaltz espn.com to an eight-year, $64 million deal, keeping one of the league's top playmakers off the free-agent market this summer. The Avalanche successfully appealed Nathan MacKinnon's game misconduct espn.com from Tuesday's matchup against Edmonton, with the league rescinding the penalty after reviewing the goalie interference call that had sparked controversy in Colorado's 4-3 loss to the Oilers.
International Expansion & Schedule Changes
The NHL announced a European showcase espn.com featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators playing two regular-season games in Germany next season as part of the Global Series initiative. This international push comes as the league decided against penalizing Ottawa espn.com for their involvement in the 2022 Dadonov trade controversy, opting not to forfeit the Senators' 2026 first-round draft pick despite their role in the canceled deal between Vegas and Anaheim.
Injury Updates & Game Results
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews suffered a knee injury espn.com during Thursday's game against Anaheim following a controversial hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, with Toronto officials calling the play "dirty." In positive injury news, Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone returned from a five-game absence espn.com and helped his team defeat Pittsburgh 6-2 on Thursday, providing a significant boost to the defending champions' playoff push. Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy scored the overtime winner espn.com against Los Angeles before rushing to dental surgery after losing additional teeth in the physical contest.
Ownership & League Structure
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon sold minority stakes espn.com to three new investors, though financial terms weren't disclosed for the ownership restructuring. Meanwhile, the Professional Women's Hockey League secured national television coverage espn.com for a Detroit game, marking a significant milestone for women's professional hockey exposure. The PWHL's Ottawa team is exploring partnership options espn.com with the NHL's Senators as their current arena undergoes renovations, seeking to maintain their presence in the Canadian capital.
Playoff Picture & Projections
With the regular season entering its final stretch, analysts are projecting potential Oilers' postseason paths espn.com while examining whether the Stars-Oilers matchup could serve as a Western Conference finals preview. The Avalanche's recent dominance has sparked debate about whether Colorado is now unbeatable in the playoff race espn.com, though several Eastern Conference contenders have struggled in recent weeks. Fantasy hockey players are finalizing playoff strategies espn.com as the ESPN postseason begins, with experts recommending specific pickups from each team to maximize championship potential.
Trade Deadline Analysis
The NHL's trade deadline produced a flurry of moves that have analysts reassessing team trajectories espn.com, with particular attention paid to whether certain acquisitions will provide the expected boost or prove to be overvalued additions. The final week of trading saw several teams make aggressive moves to bolster their rosters for the playoff push, though the true impact of these deals won't be clear until the postseason begins.