NHL Hockey 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 1:55 AM ET
Player Suspensions
The NHL Department of Player Safety handed Radko Gudas a five-game suspension for a knee-on-knee hit that ended Auston Matthews' season, marking the second major disciplinary action this week after the league banned another player for three games for a dangerous boarding incident. The league's increased enforcement comes as injuries to star players have spiked 18% this season, prompting calls for stricter penalties.
Trade Deadline Moves
With the March 8 trade deadline approaching, several teams are actively shopping veteran defensemen, while the league's trade tracker shows 12 confirmed deals already completed this month. The Florida Panthers acquired a goaltender from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a second-round pick, bolstering their playoff push as they hold the top spot in the Atlantic Division.