Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Saturday, July 11, 2026
3ICE Returns for Fourth Season, Opening July 14 in Coralville
3ICE, the NHL’s summer 3-on-3 league, returns for its fourth season this week. The competition opens Tuesday, July 14, at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, with eight teams competing in the fast-paced 3-on-3 format. Former goaltender Grant Fuhr is among the coaches for Season 4. Five broadcast episodes will air on NHL Network, YouTube, and FanDuel through August 21, building toward a championship finale. The winning team will claim the $700,000 Patrick Cup. Season 4 continues the league’s run as a competitive summer option for NHL players and fans during the offseason gap.
Sundqvist Re-Signs with Blues on One-Year, Two-Way Deal
Veteran forward Oskar Sundqvist has re-signed with the St. Louis Blues on a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level and $300,000 in the AHL. The 32-year-old became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and posted 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists) in 52 games for St. Louis in 2025-26. Sundqvist is returning to familiar territory — he won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019 and has been a consistent depth contributor in Missouri. The two-way structure reflects his role as a reliable penalty killer and physical forward.
Trocheck, Lee Formally Introduced at Utah Mammoth Press Conference
The Utah Mammoth formally introduced forwards Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee at a press conference in Sandy, Utah on Friday. Trocheck, acquired from the New York Rangers on July 1 for defenseman Kevin Durzi, forward Compton Beaudoin, and a third-round pick, posted 53 points in 67 games last season. Lee arrives on a three-year, $16.2 million contract ($5.4 million average annual value) after 14 seasons with the New York Islanders, including eight as captain. Both players cited belief in the Mammoth’s trajectory following Utah’s first-ever Stanley Cup Playoff appearance last season.
Flames Bolster Defense with Nemec, Middleton in Active Offseason
The Calgary Flames addressed their defensive depth through two significant offseason trades. Defenseman Simon Nemec, 22, arrived from the New Jersey Devils on June 23 — along with forward Maxim Tsyplakov — in exchange for two first-round picks (2027, 2028), a 2026 second-round pick, and defenseman Etienne Morin. Nemec signed a five-year contract on July 6. Calgary also acquired defenseman Jake Middleton from the Minnesota Wild on July 2, sending Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta to Minnesota. The moves shore up a blue line that ranked in the NHL’s bottom three in skating speed metrics. Calgary finished 34-39-9 last season, seventh in the Pacific.
Ducks Match Carlsson Offer Sheet, Sign Greer as Roster Shuffle Continues
The Anaheim Ducks capped a busy offseason by matching the Philadelphia Flyers’ five-year, $90 million offer sheet for restricted free agent center Leo Carlsson. The team also signed forward A.J. Greer to a four-year deal after acquiring him from the Florida Panthers, and added veteran defenseman Nick Jensen on a two-year contract. Key departures include center Mason McTavish, traded to the Blues for two 2026 first-round picks, and defensemen Jacob Trouba (signed in San Jose) and John Carlson (traded to Carolina). Restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier, who led the Ducks with 69 points last season, remains unsigned.
Eastern Conference — Final 2025-26
Atlantic Division
1. Buffalo — 109 pts (50-23-9) *
2. Tampa Bay — 106 pts (50-26-6) *
3. Montreal — 106 pts (48-24-10) *
4. Boston — 100 pts (45-27-10) *
5. Ottawa — 99 pts (44-27-11) *
6. Detroit — 92 pts (41-31-10)
7. Florida — 84 pts (40-38-4)
8. Toronto — 78 pts (32-36-14)
Metropolitan Division
1. Carolina — 113 pts (53-22-7) *
2. Pittsburgh — 98 pts (41-25-16) *
3. Philadelphia — 98 pts (43-27-12) *
4. Washington — 95 pts (43-30-9)
5. Columbus — 92 pts (40-30-12)
6. NY Islanders — 91 pts (43-34-5)
7. New Jersey — 87 pts (42-37-3)
8. NY Rangers — 77 pts (34-39-9)
* Qualified for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Western Conference — Final 2025-26
Central Division
1. Colorado — 121 pts (55-16-11) *
2. Dallas — 112 pts (50-20-12) *
3. Minnesota — 104 pts (46-24-12) *
4. Utah — 92 pts (43-33-6) *
5. St. Louis — 86 pts (37-33-12)
6. Nashville — 86 pts (38-34-10)
7. Winnipeg — 82 pts (35-35-12)
8. Chicago — 72 pts (29-39-14)
Pacific Division
1. Vegas — 95 pts (39-26-17) *
2. Edmonton — 93 pts (41-30-11) *
3. Anaheim — 92 pts (43-33-6) *
4. LA Kings — 90 pts (35-27-20) *
5. San Jose — 86 pts (39-35-8)
6. Seattle — 79 pts (34-37-11)
7. Calgary — 77 pts (34-39-9)
8. Vancouver — 58 pts (25-49-8)
* Qualified for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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