NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Trade Deadline Moves
Golden Knights espn.com acquired veteran center Nic Dowd from the Capitals, sending back prospect goaltender Jesper Vikman, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick. The Maple Leafs espn.com traded center Nicolas Roy to the Avalanche for a conditional first-round draft choice in 2027 and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2026. Oilers espn.com added forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach from the Blackhawks in a second trade this week. The Stars espn.com bolstered their defense by acquiring Tyler Myers from the Canucks while the struggling Vancouver team received picks in 2027 and 2029. Wild espn.com added veteran center Michael McCarron from the Predators for a 2028 second-round draft pick. Predators espn.com traded winger Cole Smith to the Golden Knights in exchange for prospect defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a 2028 third-round pick.
Player Contracts & Extensions
Capitals espn.com signed forward Ethen Frank to a two-year, $4 million contract extension. Sharks espn.com forward Kiefer Sherwood agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $5.75 million annually against the salary cap. Sabres espn.com have a deal in place to acquire defenseman Colton Parayko from the Blues pending his approval to waive his no-movement clause. The Mammoth espn.com acquired Calgary Flames defenseman Mac Kenzie Weegar to bolster their blueline as they seek their first playoff berth.
League News & Records
A PWHL game espn.com at Madison Square Garden on April 4 between the New York Sirens and Seattle Torrent has sold out, expected to set a U.S. attendance record for professional women's hockey. The April 5 Capitals-Rangers espn.com matchup will feature players skating alongside Joy and Sadness in the "Inside Out Classic," a real-time animated alternative broadcast. Some NHL executives and player agents expressed frustration with the impact of new salary cap rules ahead of Friday's trade deadline. Vincent Trocheck espn.com placed Western Conference clubs on his 12-team no-trade list, preferring an East Coast destination if dealt by the Rangers.
Game Results & Performances
Avalanche espn.com became the first NHL team with 40 wins this season, defeating the Kings who were playing their first game since firing coach Jim Hiller. Sabres espn.com rode the energy from a sold-out building and pregame celebration honoring U.S. hockey Olympians to a victory, with Tage Thompson scoring the decisive goal. Rangers espn.com placed captain J.T. Miller on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. The Oilers espn.com fortified their defense by trading for Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick.
Fantasy & Analysis
Fantasy hockey espn.com experts provided insights and reactions to the biggest moves from the 2026 NHL trade deadline. Analysts projected six win-win NHL trades ahead of Friday's deadline, examining potential blockbusters before the 3 p.m. ET cutoff. With the trade deadline set for Friday, the market has been relatively quiet this week, though executives note that one big deal could spark increased activity.