NHL Hockey 3d Briefing

Last updated: March 13, 2026, 12:51 AM ET

Injury Updates & Discipline

Auston Matthews exited after hit espn.com Thursday night versus Anaheim when Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas delivered a knee‑on‑knee collision, forcing the Maple Leafs captain to miss the remainder of the game. Colorado later saw the league reverse misconduct espn.com after Nathan Mac Kinnon’s game‑misconduct charge for alleged goalie interference against Edmonton was rescinded, a reversal the Avalanche organization publicly disputed. The Avs also condemned ejection espn.com in the same loss, arguing the penalty was unwarranted and highlighting concerns over player safety protocols.

Ownership Shifts & Market Moves

Tom Dundon sold minority stakes espn.com in the Carolina Hurricanes to three new investors, diversifying the franchise’s ownership structure ahead of the upcoming season. The NHL ruled on pick espn.com by confirming Ottawa will retain its 2026 first‑round selection despite the team’s involvement in the aborted 2022 Dadonov trade, preserving the Senators’ future asset pool. Meanwhile, the Professional Women’s Hockey League announced that its Detroit franchise secured national TV espn.com coverage, expanding exposure for the women’s game across the United States. In Ottawa, the PWHL’s Charge explored partnership espn.com with the Senators as the arena undergoes renovation, aiming to keep the women’s team in the capital.

Contracts, Trades & Prospects

Utah’s Mammoth locked up Schmaltz espn.com on an eight‑year, $64 million extension, preventing the forward from testing free agency this summer. Analysts critiqued deadline trades espn.com as many clubs over‑reacted, with the Avalanche’s recent acquisitions labeled as potentially overvalued amid a flurry of last‑minute deals. Scouting reports previewed prospects espn.com such as Jesper Rosen and David J