NHL Hockey 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 16, 2026, 2:30 PM ET
League & International News
The NHL confirmed plans for the return of the World Cup of Hockey in February 2028, announcing Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague as the initial host cities for the revamped international tournament. Meanwhile, teams are solidifying rosters as the regular season winds down; the Washington Capitals signed emerging Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson to a three-year entry-level contract immediately following his collegiate season's conclusion in the Hockey East tournament.
Playoff Picture & Player Updates
As the playoff brackets firm up, speculation continues regarding potential upsets, with analysts examining which wild card teams might defy projections to make deep runs in the postseason bracket. Concurrently, injuries continue to plague contenders, as Montreal forward Kirby Dach was forced from Sunday night's contest against the Ducks after incurring an upper-body injury following a high hit from Anaheim's Jeffrey Viel. Fans also begin rooting for veteran players seeking their first championship, with Brent Burns leading the list of "old guys without a Cup" candidates for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.