NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Trade Deadline Buzz
Vincent Trocheck espn.com has placed Western Conference teams on his 12-team no-trade list as the NHL trade deadline approaches Friday. The Rangers espn.com placed captain J.T. Miller on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, potentially impacting their trade plans. Some NHL executives espn.com expressed frustration with new salary cap rules affecting deadline deals.
Player Movement
The Wild espn.com acquired veteran center Michael McCarron from the Predators for a 2028 second-round pick. The Predators espn.com then traded winger Cole Smith to the Golden Knights for prospect defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a 2028 third-round pick. The Oilers espn.com bolstered their defense by dealing for Blackhawks' Connor Murphy in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick.
Game Results
The Avalanche espn.com became the first NHL team to reach 40 wins this season, defeating the Kings in their first game under interim coach. The Sabres espn.com rode pregame Olympic gold medal celebration energy to a victory, with Tage Thompson scoring the decisive goal. Golden Knights espn.com captain Mark Stone left Sunday's game against the Penguins with an undisclosed injury.
Trade Speculation
ESPN analysts espn.com note the trade deadline has been quiet but expect movement once a major deal triggers activity. Projections espn.com suggest six potential win-win trades could materialize before Friday's 3 p.m. ET deadline. Fantasy hockey experts espn.com recommend considering Evander Kane and Luke Hughes for pickups before the deadline.
Off-Ice News
Meredith Gaudreau espn.com thanked the U.S. men's hockey team following their Olympic gold medal victory, reflecting on the trip that honored her late husband Johnny Gaudreau. The NHL community continues to react to the Americans' first gold since 2010.