NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 5:39 PM ET
Sharks Lock Up Dellandrea
The San Jose Sharks secured forward Ty Dellandrea's future espn.com with a two-year, $3.25 million contract extension, ensuring the 24-year-old center remains part of their rebuilding core through the 2026 season. The deal provides the Sharks with cost certainty for a player who has shown steady improvement since joining the organization.
NHL Goes Global
The Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators will play two games in Germany espn.com next season as part of the NHL's expanded Global Series, bringing regular-season hockey to European audiences and continuing the league's international growth strategy. The specific dates and venues for the German games will be announced later this spring.
Stanley Cup Playoff Picture
The Edmonton Oilers' postseason path is taking shape espn.com as the Western Conference race intensifies, with updated projections showing how the final standings might look heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche successfully appealed Nathan MacKinnon's ejection espn.com from Tuesday's game against Edmonton, with the league rescinding the game misconduct for goalie interference after reviewing the play.
Fantasy Hockey Playoff Strategy
With ESPN's fantasy hockey postseason underway, experts recommend targeting specific pickups from each NHL team to bolster championship runs. The Fantasy Hockey Playoff Guide espn.com provides detailed lineup strategies and player recommendations for managers looking to secure their league titles in the final weeks of the regular season.
Vegas Returns to Form
The Vegas Golden Knights got a major boost espn.com with captain Mark Stone's return from a five-game absence due to upper-body injury, as he helped lead the team to a dominant 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Stone's presence on the ice immediately elevated Vegas's offensive and defensive systems, showcasing why he remains one of the league's premier two-way forwards.
Matthews Injury Update
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews suffered a knee injury espn.com during Thursday's game against Anaheim after a controversial hit from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. The team is evaluating Matthews's status, with early reports suggesting the injury could impact his availability for upcoming games as Toronto pushes for playoff positioning.
Hurricanes Ownership Changes
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon added three new minority stakeholders espn.com to the organization, selling portions of his stake to new investors while maintaining controlling interest. The moves come as the Hurricanes continue their strong play and push for a high playoff seed in the competitive Metropolitan Division.
NHL Draft Lottery Implications
The Ottawa Senators avoided a major penalty espn.com when the NHL decided not to strip their 2026 first-round draft pick despite their involvement in the canceled 2022 trade between Vegas and Anaheim involving Evgenii Dadonov. The decision maintains the Senators' draft capital as they look to rebuild through the selection process.
PWHL Expansion News
The Professional Women's Hockey League is expanding its television presence espn.com with a nationally televised game featuring PWHL Detroit, bringing greater exposure to the women's professional hockey league. Additionally, the PWHL's Ottawa Charge is exploring partnership options espn.com with the NHL's Senators to remain in the capital region as their current home undergoes renovations.
Trade Deadline Analysis
The NHL trade deadline produced its final flurry of moves, with analysts now separating legitimate takeaways espn.com from the noise. While some teams significantly upgraded their rosters, others may have overpaid in the pursuit of playoff success, creating a complex landscape as the regular season winds down.
Schmaltz's Long-Term Commitment
Utah Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz agreed to an eight-year, $64 million extension espn.com, choosing long-term security over testing unrestricted free agency this summer. The deal represents one of the larger contracts handed out this offseason and demonstrates Utah's commitment to retaining their top offensive talent.
Bruins' Home Dominance Continues
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy scored the overtime winner espn.com against the Los Angeles Kings, extending Boston's home winning streak to 13 games with a 2-1 victory. The goal came just 39 seconds into the extra period, but McAvoy's night wasn't done—he immediately left for emergency dental work after losing additional teeth during the physical contest.