NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 17, 2026, 12:30 PM ET
Playoff Picture & Franchise Moves
The race for postseason berths remains tight as the regular season nears its conclusion, with the San Jose Sharks still in contention for either a wild card spot or the Pacific Division crown, pending final results. While playoff positioning remains fluid, the Chicago Blackhawks committed to their future by signing top prospect Sacha Boisvert to a three-year entry-level contract, signaling organizational reorganization ahead of the draft lottery standings reveal. Furthermore, fantasy managers are advised to review weekly waiver wire targets, with Blake Coleman and Troy Terry listed among the essential matchup-based adds for the upcoming schedule.
International Hockey & Player Milestones
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the status of Russian participation in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, stating that "time will tell" regarding the inclusion of their league stars. This comes as the NHL confirmed that the tournament, scheduled for February 2028, will feature Calgary and Edmonton as host cities alongside Prague. Amidst these administrative developments, Detroit’s Patrick Kane achieved a scoring milestone, netting two goals in a 5-2 victory over Calgary to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for U.S.-born NHL players.