NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: March 23, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

League Operations & Off-Ice News

The Seattle Kraken ownership announced a significant structural shift Monday, forming One Roof Sports and Entertainment to take majority control of their home arena, a move signaling deeper integration between team management and venue operations. This organizational development follows the team’s confirmation that forward Ryan Winterton will take a leave of absence for personal reasons, a brief absence adding to the team's recent off-ice news cycle. Further cementing their international presence, the Kraken are scheduled to face the Hurricanes in Helsinki next November as part of the NHL's ongoing Global Series, bringing regular season action to Finland.

Coaching Milestones & Player Discipline

Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice is nearing a major career benchmark, as he is set to join Scotty Bowman as one of the few individuals to command 2,000 games from the bench, illustrating his lengthy tenure in the league. In contrast, the Panthers will be without forward A.J. Greer for three contests after the league levied a three-game suspension for violently shoving Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary from behind into the boards. Meanwhile, off-ice news also included the somber passing of Jessi Pierce, the long-time Wild correspondent for NHL.com, who tragically died with her three children in a Minnesota house fire over the weekend, drawing condolences from across the hockey world.

Team Building & Player Acquisition

The St. Louis Blues secured a commitment from one of the top college free agents available, signing Sacred Heart forward Felix Trudeau to a two-year entry-level contract that will commence next season, bolstering their prospect pool with a highly regarded undrafted player. Elsewhere, fantasy hockey managers received guidance on optimizing their lineups for the upcoming week, with experts advising readers to target specific forwards from the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks for potential playoff contention boosts. The focus on future talent also extended to the collegiate level, where analysts debated the top contenders poised to reach the NCAA Frozen Four in the ongoing men's hockey tournament bracket projections.

League Outlook & Player Reflection

As the regular season winds down, speculation continues regarding potential postseason seeding, with experts already ranking the most entertaining potential first-round matchups for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, based on historical rivalry and current team balance. On an individual level, New Jersey Devils star center Jack Hughes reflected on the surreal experience of scoring the Olympic golden goal one month prior, detailing how the subsequent weeks have proven to be an emotional roller-coaster following the victory.