NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Trade Deadline Moves
Red Wings espn.com acquired veteran defenseman Justin Faulk from the rebuilding Blues in a move to bolster their blue line. The Maple Leafs espn.com made multiple deals, sending forward Bobby McMann to the Kraken and Scott Laughton to the Kings ahead of Friday's deadline. Meanwhile, the Avalanche espn.com brought back forward Nazem Kadri in a swap with the Flames, reuniting him with the team where he won a Stanley Cup in 2022.
The Islanders espn.com landed Blues captain Brayden Schenn, sending Jonathan Drouin, two picks and a prospect back to St. Louis. Schenn, had served as St. Louis' captain for the past three seasons. The Wild espn.com acquired Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno, giving him an opportunity to play alongside his brother, Marcus. The Ducks espn.com acquired Capitals veteran defenseman John Carlson in what might be the most surprising development ahead of the deadline.
Blues defenseman Colton Parayko espn.com invoked his no-movement clause to prevent a trade to the Sabres, according to multiple reports. The Sabres espn.com instead addressed their blue line by trading for Jets defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn after being spurned by Parayko.
Contract Extensions and Free Agency
The Kraken espn.com signed captain Jordan Eberle to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.5 million. The Sharks espn.com and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic agreed to a two-year contract extension. The Ducks espn.com locked up forward Ryan Poehling with a four-year, $15 million extension during his first season with the team.
The Panthers espn.com kept goalie Sergei Bobrovsky after taking calls but failing to deal him, with general manager Bill Zito now planning to try and get a new deal done with the 37-year-old netminder. The Red Wings espn.com brought back David Perron in a deal with the Senators, parting with a conditional 2026 fourth-round draft pick.
Player Suspensions and Injuries
Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin espn.com has been suspended five games for slashing Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during Thursday's game between the Penguins and Sabres. The Golden Knights espn.com placed oft-injured captain Mark Stone on injured reserve Thursday after he was hurt in Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh.
On-Ice Action
Team USA hero Jack Hughes espn.com had a hat trick and an assist, his first NHL goals since winning the gold medal two weeks ago in Italy, and the New Jersey Devils defeated the rival New York Rangers 6-3. The Capitals traded veteran defenseman John Carlson to the Ducks, ending his long tenure in Washington.
Playoff Picture
With the trade deadline passed, Stanley Cup playoff races espn.com are heating up as teams position themselves for postseason runs. Division titles and seeding remain up for grabs across both conferences. The Blue Jackets espn.com traded for Canucks forward Conor Garland as they seek their first Stanley Cup playoff berth since 2020.
Other Notable Moves
The Stars espn.com landed Predators forward Michael Bunting in their second deadline deal, sending a 2026 third-round pick to Nashville. The Wild espn.com added veteran defenseman Jeff Petry from the Panthers in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026. The 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 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. The Lightning espn.com welcomed back Corey Perry after a trade from the Kings, bringing the veteran forward back to Tampa Bay.
Women's Hockey Milestone
A PWHL game at Madison Square Garden espn.com on April 4 between the New York Sirens and Seattle Torrent has sold out, with a crowd expected to set a U.S. attendance record for a professional women's hockey event. The April 5 Capitals-Rangers matchup will feature players skating alongside Joy and Sadness in the "Inside Out Classic," a real-time animated alternative broadcast featuring characters from the hit Pixar film.
Remembering a Legend
Troy Murray espn.com, who played 12 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and transitioned into becoming the team's longtime broadcasting analyst, has died at age.