NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 7:37 PM ET
Player Movements & Injuries
The San Jose Sharks espn.com locked up forward Ty Dellandrea to a two-year, $3.25 million extension, providing depth stability for a rebuilding club. In a significant blow for a Stanley Cup contender, Toronto Maple Leafs espn.com captain Auston Matthews suffered a knee injury following a knee-on-knee hit from Anaheim’s Radko Gudas and left Thursday’s game, casting uncertainty over his immediate availability during the final stretch of the regular season. Conversely, the Vegas Golden Knights espn.com received a major boost with the return of captain Mark Stone from a five-game upper-body injury absence; his presence immediately helped propel Vegas to a 6-2 victory over Pittsburgh. The Colorado Avalanche espn.com also secured a key player availability decision, as the NHL rescinded the game misconduct penalty assessed to star Nathan Mac Kinnon for goalie interference in Tuesday’s loss to Edmonton, a ruling the team had sharply criticized espn.com.
Team Transactions & Ownership
The Carolina Hurricanes espn.com announced the addition of three new minority stakeholders, as majority owner Tom Dundon sold a portion of the franchise, a move that could bolster the team’s financial flexibility. In a major commitment to a core player, the Utah Mammoth espn.com re-signed forward Nick Schmaltz to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension, securing his services well beyond his potential free agency this summer. The Ottawa Senators espn.com avoided a significant future penalty when the league ruled they would not forfeit their 2026 first-round draft pick for their involvement in the canceled 2022 Evgenii Dadonov trade with Vegas and Anaheim, preserving a valuable asset for their rebuild.
Playoff Races & Fantasy Hockey
Updated Stanley Cup playoff projections espn.com and draft lottery standings espn.com now frame the season’s final weeks, with particular attention on the Western Conference clash between the Dallas Stars espn.com and Edmonton Oilers espn.com as a potential conference finals preview. For fantasy hockey managers, the postseason brings critical roster decisions, with ESPN’s fantasy playoff guide espn.com outlining key tips, tricks, and lineup strategies to win a league. Correspondingly, the NHL Power Rankings espn.com identified one potential waiver-wire pickup from each team specifically to aid in a fantasy championship run, highlighting players whose situations could change dramatically League Business & International Growth
The NHL Global Series espn.com will feature the Chicago Blackhawks espn.com and Ottawa Senators espn.com playing two regular-season games in Germany next season, marking the league’s continued push into European markets. Meanwhile, the league’s relationship with the Professional Women’s Hockey League espn.com is strengthening, as the PWHL’s Detroit game is set for a national U.S. television audience, expanding the sport’s broadcast footprint. The PWHL’s Ottawa Charge espn.com is also exploring a venue-sharing agreement with the NHL’s Senators, as their current home is slated for renovation and downsizing, seeking stability in the nation’s capital.