Pawel ‘the Cat’ Weekly Hockey Update – April 1, 2026

Hey everyone, hope you are doing well. Tonight, we are back again for another great Episode 28 of Season 7 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk. Here are some of the top stories from around the league:

  1. Ovechkin Keeps Making History – Alex Ovechkin, who could possibly be in his final year in the NHL, has got 30 goals again, after scoring twice against the Philadelphia Flyers where they managed to win 6-4. That’s 20 straight seasons with 30+ goals, extending his all-time NHL record and showcasing that he is just an elite pure goal scorer. 
  1. Brad Treliving is Out – In other news, Brad Treliving has just been fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs after less than three seasons as GM. The decision came after a disappointing 2025–26 campaign where the Leafs fell out of playoff contention and ranked near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, despite higher expectations coming into the year. The Leafs became trade-deadline sellers for the first time in years, signaling the season was lost and they now begin searching for a new GM, to retool for next season. Some names out there are Jason Spezza and Doug Armstrong. 
  1. Jim Nill Remains a Dallas Star – One executive that won’t be gunning for the Toronto GM job is Jim Nill, who has signed a contract extension with the Dallas Stars, keeping him in place as general manager after several highly successful seasons. Under Nill’s leadership, Dallas has become a consistent contender, highlighted by strong drafting, smart trades, and deep playoff runs, including recent appearances in the Western Conference Final. The extension reflects the organization’s confidence in his long-term vision and the stability he’s brought, as the Stars continue to built around a mix of veteran talent and emerging young stars.
  1. Playoffs are starting to shape up – We’re about 2 to 3 weeks from the postseason, and both conferences are jammed. Multiple teams are within just a few points of each other for the final spots and out West, teams like the Kings, Blues, and Sharks are battling for wildcard positioning while the Minnesota Wild could clinch a playoff spot as soon as today, depending on the result of tonight’s action. 
  1. Evander Kane Reaches 1000 – Evander Kane has reached the milestone of 1,000 NHL games during the 2025–26 season with the Edmonton Oilers, marking a significant achievement in a long and eventful career. Debuting in 2009 with the Atlanta Thrashers, Kane has also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose Sharks, establishing himself as a physical power forward with consistent scoring ability. Reaching 1,000 games reflects both his durability and longevity, especially considering the ups and downs throughout his career, and underscores his role as a veteran contributor on a contending Oilers team.
  1. Trey Augustine signs Entry Level Contract – Trey Augustine has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings following a standout college career at Michigan State. The 21-year-old goalie, a 2023 second-round pick, will begin his contract in 2026–27 but has already joined the Grand Rapids Griffins on a tryout to start his pro career. Widely regarded as one of the top goaltending prospects in hockey, Augustine is coming off a dominant NCAA season (24–9–1, .929 save percentage) and back-to-back Big Ten Goaltender of the Year awards, along with multiple international gold medals with Team USA, positioning him as a key future piece in Detroit’s rebuild. 
  1. Roger McQueen also Inks Up – Roger McQueen has officially signed his entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks after being selected 10th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. The three-year deal marks the start of his professional path, though he is expected to continue developing before becoming a full-time NHL player. A 6’5” center with a strong two-way game and offensive upside, McQueen is considered a key part of Anaheim’s rebuild, and his signing signals the organization’s confidence in him as a future impact forward. This is already a stacked NHL team competing for the post-season and top of the Pacific Division. 
  1. KHL News – In the KHL, the playoffs underway and Ak Bars have advanced to the second round of the 2026 KHL playoffs with an overtime winner against Traktor, while other series remain competitive as teams fight to stay alive. 

Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Then remember to tune in each week to get all the latest news in the world of hockey as we start up Season 7 of the Podcast each Wednesday night at 7pm MST, where we dive into some of these great topics, interview many in the game and so much more. For more hockey news, different takes or if you want to chat about anything hockey give me a follow @hockey_two & @revinev on X and give us a follow on YouTube, and check out our website for articles that we share regularly at https://twoguysandhockeytalk.com/. If you wish to reach out to us, feel free to email us at twoguyshockeytalk@gmail.com

  • Pawel ‘The Cat’

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