NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×NHL Trade Deadline Moves
New NHL cap rules espn.com are frustrating teams ahead of Friday's deadline. Executives and agents told ESPN that the salary cap changes have complicated trade planning. The Oilers fortified their defense espn.com by acquiring Blackhawks' Connor Murphy for a 2028 second-round pick. Vincent Trocheck espn.com revealed he has Western Conference clubs on his 12-team no-trade list and prefers an East Coast destination if dealt by the Rangers.
Injuries & Lineup Changes
Rangers captain J.T. Miller espn.com was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with an upper-body injury. Golden Knights captain Mark Stone espn.com left Sunday's game against the Penguins due to an undisclosed injury. The Kings fired coach Jim Hiller espn.com after two seasons and named D.J. Smith interim, with Los Angeles three points out of a wild-card spot.
Game Results & Standings
The Avalanche defeated the Kings espn.com 4-2, becoming the first NHL team with 40 wins this season. The game marked the Kings' first under interim coach D.J. Smith. Columbus honored Zach Werenski espn.com before Saturday's game against the Islanders for his role in Team USA's Olympic gold medal.
Off-Ice News
Meredith Gaudreau espn.com thanked the U.S. men's hockey team following their Olympic gold medal victory. Gaudreau, widow of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, reflected on the trip that resulted in Team USA's championship. ESPN also projected six win-win trades espn.com ahead of Friday's deadline, analyzing potential blockbuster moves before the 3 p.m. ET cutoff.