NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: March 31, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

NHL Executive & Personnel Shifts

The NHL offseason churn began early this week with significant front-office changes, most dramatically in Toronto where Maple Leafs CEO Keith Pelley announced the firing of General Manager Brad Treliving on Monday, citing a critical lack of "alignment" and "culture" as the driving factors following the team's playoff miss, the first since the 2016-17 campaign. Across the league, the Dallas Stars moved to secure their leadership structure, confirming a two-year contract extension for General Manager Jim Nill, keeping him at the helm through the 2027-28 season. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers bolstered their business side by bringing in executive Michael White, formerly of Amazon and Disney, to serve as the new President of Business Operations, signaling an emphasis on commercial growth.

Coaching Instability & Roster Returns

The Vegas Golden Knights executed a stunning mid-week change, with General Manager Kelly McCrimmon explaining that players had "lost their spark," leading to the dismissal of coach Bruce Cassidy on Sunday and the immediate hiring of John Tortorella in his place to reignite championship aspirations. Contrasting this upheaval, the Pittsburgh Penguins received a major boost as captain Sidney Crosby returned to the lineup Monday night after missing the prior contest due to a lower-body injury, helping lead the team to a decisive rout over the Islanders. On the ice, Alex Ovechkin continued his historic march, scoring twice in the Capitals' 6-4 victory over the Flyers Tuesday, achieving his 20th career 30-goal season, a record he now extends.

Playoff Picture & League Administration

As the regular season nears its conclusion, teams are intensely focused on seeding, exemplified by the Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets squaring off Tuesday in a matchup where both clubs desperately needed the two points on the line to solidify or improve their positioning. Administratively, the league provided teams with a new computational tool to ensure compliance with updated salary cap regulations specifically pertaining to playoff rosters, a technical necessity as bracket projections continue to solidify across the metropolitan divisions. For fans whose teams are already eliminated, the league offered a guide ranking the top Stanley Cup bandwagon candidates to follow through the postseason. In related fantasy news, managers preparing for league finals were advised this week to target high-scoring players like McMann and Snuggerud in free agency pools.