NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 1:57 AM ET
Discipline & Injury News
Radko Gudas received a five-game suspension espn.com from the NHL Department of Player Safety for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews' season, while Vegas Knights captain Mark Stone returned from a five-game absence espn.com with an upper-body injury and immediately contributed to a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. In Colorado Avalanche news, the NHL rescinded the game misconduct espn.com given to Nathan Mac Kinnon after his collision with Edmonton Oilers' goalie Stuart Skinner, a decision the Avalanche strongly disagreed with espn.com as it came in their 4-3 loss to the Oilers on Tuesday night.
Player Contract Extensions
The Utah Mammoth secured Nick Schmaltz with an eight-year, $64 million extension espn.com, keeping the forward from reaching free agency this summer, while the San Jose Sharks signed Ty Dellandrea to a two-year, $3.25 million deal espn.com as both teams look to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season. These signings come as teams finalize their cap situations before the potential NHL trade deadline, with Schmaltz's extension averaging $8 million annually representing a significant commitment from the Mammoth organization.
League Expansion & International Play
The NHL announced the Blackhawks and Senators will play two games in Germany espn.com next season as part of the league's continued Global Series expansion, bringing more international attention to the sport. Meanwhile, the Professional Women's Hockey League secured national television coverage espn.com for a Detroit game in the United States, significantly increasing the visibility of women's hockey, while the PWHL explores a partnership with the Senators espn.com to remain in Ottawa after their current home venue faces downsizing renovations.
Playoff Projections & Strategies
Updated Stanley Cup playoff projections show the Oilers facing multiple potential paths espn.com through the postseason, while the Stars-Oils matchup could preview a conference finals showdown espn.com if both teams maintain their current form. Fantasy hockey players seeking championship advice can find strategic guidance in comprehensive playoff guides espn.com and team-by-team power rankings espn.com that highlight key pickups for the fantasy postseason, helping managers optimize their lineups for crucial final matchups.
Organizational Changes
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon sold a stake to three new minority owners espn.com, diversifying the team's ownership structure as the franchise continues its successful on-ice performance. The NHL ruled the Senators will not forfeit espn.com their 2026 first-round draft pick for their role in a canceled 2022 trade between Vegas and Anaheim involving winger Evgenii Dadonov, providing clarity to Ottawa's draft capital situation. Meanwhile, analysts are judging the validity of trade deadline hot takes espn.com regarding whether teams like the Avalanche have become "unbeatable" or if Eastern Conference contenders missed opportunities to strengthen their rosters.