Hey everyone, hope you are doing well. Tonight, we are back again for another great Episode 25 of Season 7 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk. We are getting close to the end of the season with the playoffs just around the corner and teams beginning planning their next steps.
- Nick Schmaltz Inks Up – The Utah Mammoth have agreed to an eight‑year contract extension worth $64 million total ($8 million AAV) with Nick Schmaltz,that will keep him in Utah through the 2033‑34 season. The deal ends the uncertainty over Schmaltz’s pending unrestricted free agency this summer and locks in one of the Mammoth’s most productive forwards, who has been a key offensive contributor this season while flourishing in a more prominent center role alongside top linemates. The extension reflects the organization’s belief in Schmaltz as a cornerstone piece of their core moving forward as they pursue sustained success. We wish him all the best.
- Buffalo Sabres on a huge winning streak – The Buffalo Sabres are one of the hottest teams in the league, extending their winning streak to eight games after a 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Jack Quinn recorded his first career hat trick in the win, while Rasmus Dahlin added three assists as Buffalo continued its surge in the Atlantic Division standings. This is great for their fan base as the team sits 1st in the Atlantic and Lindy Ruff is getting a lot of looks for the potential Jack Adams award. We are looking forward to seeing the Sabres in the playoffs.
- Fallout from the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline – The league is still analyzing the fallout after the March 6 trade deadline, with several teams reshaping their rosters for the Stanley Cup push. Some clubs made aggressive moves to chase a championship, while others focused on rebuilding through prospects and draft picks. For example, the Edmonton Oilers acquired defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks to strengthen their blue line ahead of the playoffs, while Brayden Schenn had an emotional return back in St. Louis when the Islanders faced off against them winning 4 to 3 in OT. Or seeing Nazem Kadri return back to the Colorado Avalanche where the fans gave him a very warm welcome. We now have about 20 games left before we get to the post-season and who will face who, while teams outside the playoffs begin to work on their off-season duties.
- Big business news for the Carolina Hurricanes – Speaking of Business, off the ice, the Carolina Hurricanes saw their franchise value soar after owner Tom Dundon sold a 12.5% stake in the team, valuing the club at $2.66 billion, one of the highest valuations in NHL history. The sale highlights the continued growth of the NHL’s business landscape and the rising value of professional hockey franchises across North America. With the Hurricanes remaining competitive on the ice and continuing to build a strong market presence in Raleigh, the investment reflects confidence in the organization’s long-term stability, fan support, and future revenue growth as the league continues to expand its global reach. There is also talk that the cap itself can go up by $30 million in the next few years and it will impact teams in how they conduct business.
- KHL Rising Start – KHL forward Vitali Pinchuk of HC Dinamo Minsk is generating NHL interest after scoring 29 goals and 61 points in 60 games, making him one of the most intriguing European free-agent targets. Pinchuk, 23, is among the top offensive producers on his club and showcasing his ability as both a scorer and playmaker. Pinchuk averaged just over one point per game during several stretches of the season and was particularly effective on the power play, where his quick release and offensive awareness helped him contribute a number of key goals. Known for his speed, strong puck control, and ability to create offense off the rush, he has quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing European free-agent targets for NHL teams looking to add skill and depth from overseas. With his offensive production continuing to climb and his game maturing at the professional level, several NHL organizations are reportedly keeping a close eye on Pinchuk as a potential signing candidate in the near future. They are also having a busy regular-season as teams jockey for playoff positioning.
- The 2026 Memorial Cup – The 2026 Memorial Cup will be hosted in Kelowna by the Kelowna Rockets. The event (May 22–31, 2026) will feature the champions of the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL ,along with the host Rockets, all competing. The event represents the pinnacle of junior hockey in Canada and regularly features many of the world’s top NHL prospects, making it a major scouting opportunity ahead of the NHL Draft. Kelowna previously hosted the tournament in 2004 and again in 2020 before that event was cancelled due to the pandemic, making the 2026 edition a highly anticipated return for the city. With a passionate fan base and strong hockey culture in the region, the tournament is expected to draw significant national attention as the best junior teams in the country battle for the CHL’s ultimate prize.
- The Syracuse Crunch Make a Trade – The Syracuse Crunch made a roster move ahead of the playoff push by acquiring forward Matthew Peca from the Springfield Thunderbirds in exchange for defenseman Wyatt Newpower. The trade gives Syracuse an experienced forward who can contribute offensively while adding depth and versatility to their lineup as the race for the Calder Cup playoffs intensifies. Peca, known for his speed and playmaking ability, provides the Crunch with a reliable option down the middle or on the wing, while Springfield gains a young defenseman in Newpower who can help strengthen their blue line for the remainder of the season. The move reflects how AHL teams are adjusting their rosters as they prepare for the crucial final stretch of the regular season.
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’
