NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Trade Deadline Buzz
With the NHL trade deadline approaching Friday, the market remains quiet espn.com despite speculation about potential moves. Vincent Trocheck espn.com has placed Western Conference teams on his no-trade list, preferring destinations closer to the East Coast. Meanwhile, the Rangers espn.com face uncertainty with captain J.T. Miller sidelined on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury.
Recent Trades
Several teams espn.com made moves ahead of the deadline, including the Predators trading winger Cole Smith to the Golden Knights for prospect defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a 2028 third-round pick. The Wild also acquired veteran center Michael McCarron from Nashville in exchange for a 2028 second-round draft pick. The Oilers bolstered their defense by dealing for Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy, sending a 2028 second-round pick to Chicago.
On-Ice Action
The Sabres rode Olympic momentum to victory, with Tage Thompson scoring the decisive goal in their 3-2 win over the Kings. The goal came during a pregame celebration honoring U.S. hockey Olympians, including Thompson's gold medal performance. The Avalanche espn.com continued their dominant season, becoming the first NHL team to reach 40 wins by defeating Los Angeles. The Kings, playing their first game under new interim coach D.J. Smith following Jim Hiller's firing, fell short in their playoff push.
League Developments
New salary cap rules are causing frustration among teams as the deadline approaches, with executives and agents expressing concerns about their impact on trade possibilities. The Golden Knights espn.com face injury concerns after captain Mark Stone left their game against the Penguins with an undisclosed injury. Off the ice, Meredith Gaudreau reflected on the Olympic journey that resulted in gold for U.S. men's hockey, sharing memories of her late husband Johnny Gaudreau.
As the deadline nears, speculation continues about potential blockbuster deals. Some analysts project six win-win trades that could reshape the league landscape before Friday's 3 p.m. ET cutoff. Teams are weighing their options carefully, balancing immediate needs with long-term assets in a market complicated by the new cap regulations.