FloHockey breaks down the biggest takeaways from Milan, spotlighting Macklin Celebrini, Jack Hughes, and Connor Hellebuyck's standout Olympic showings. These performances ripple straight into NHL conversations, with draft buzz heating up around Celebrini and vets like Hughes and Hellebuyck elevating their games. Front offices parse every shift as playoff positioning tightens and 2026 draft boards shuffle.
Jack Eichel delivers the goods for Team USA, ending a 46-year gold medal drought with a gritty overtime win over Canada in Milan. The Vegas center, who's already got a Stanley Cup on his shelf, joins Neal Broten in the rare air of Hobey Baker winners with Olympic gold. Fellow Golden Knights like Noah Hanifin share the glory while Mark Stone and others settle for silver, but Eichel's emotional postgame words hint at the personal stakes that fueled this run.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey faces an extended sideline stint after picking up an injury at the Olympics. The blueliner's absence hits hard as the Jets push for playoff positioning in the Central. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff monitors recovery timelines while scrambling for defensive depth before the trade deadline.
Team USA honors Johnny Gaudreau at the 2026 Olympics, prompting a deep dive into the NHL star's enduring legacy. Fans and insiders revisit the tragic circumstances that cut short his brilliant career, with Milan serving as a poignant memorial. As tributes echo through the league, Gaudreau's impact on the game resonates stronger than ever.
RotoWire identifies the top NHLers who skyrocketed their value with dominant play at the 2026 Milan Olympics. These performances from familiar faces have fantasy GMs and talent evaluators scrambling to reassess trade values and prospect parallels. As clubs return to NHL action, the Milan boost signals potential fantasy bargains and contract leverage shifts before the deadline.
Rasmus Dahlin emerges from the Milan Olympics declaring "now the fun begins," primed to lead Buffalo's playoff charge with that signature swagger. Insiders know the Sabres blueliner used the international stage to sharpen his edge, blending Olympic intensity with NHL grind. As Buffalo eyes a deep run, Dahlin's post-Olympics mindset could flip the script on their Atlantic Division rivals.
Edmonton Oilers navigate a brutal Western Conference playoff race, clinging to their spot amid fierce competition. Connor McDavid drives the bus while rivals like Vegas and Colorado apply pressure. Every game counts now, with the Oilers' fate hinging on goaltending stability and depth scoring in the final push.
Jack Hughes turned heads in the postgame presser after Team USA's Olympic gold medal triumph, delivering a moment that had fans buzzing across the league. The Devils star's poise under the lights reminded everyone why he's a cornerstone for both club and country, especially amid New Jersey's own playoff push. As NHL GMs digest the international showcase, Hughes' spotlight could influence how teams approach their top talent at the deadline.
Casey DeSmith locks in as the confirmed starter for Wednesday's matchup, giving his team a steady glove hand between the pipes. The veteran backup steps up amid a rotation that's kept the starter fresh through a grueling stretch post-Olympics. Coaches trust his poise in tight games, where his positioning and rebound control often steal points.
Mikko Rantanen faces a brief absence with the Stars after rejoining the club from Olympic duties, testing Dallas' depth at a critical juncture. The big winger's lower-body tweak comes as the team integrates returnees and eyes the standings. Coach Pete DeBoer juggles lines without his firepower, putting pressure on the roster's vaunted forward corps to step up.
Ottawa Senators outline a careful ramp-up plan for Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson as they shake off Olympic rust and return to game action. The dynamic duo's absence left holes in the top lines and blue line, with the team treading water in the Atlantic scrum. Their timeline sets the stakes for a playoff charge, as coaches balance health and urgency.
The entire Hughes family turns Milan into their personal highlight reel, with Jack's overtime winner and Quinn's shutdown defense leading Team USA past Canada for gold. Brothers who grew up dominating Michigan rinks now own the Olympic narrative, drawing comparisons to the old family dynasties GMs still scout for. League scouts note how this sibling synergy translates back to NHL ice time, setting stakes high for their clubs in the stretch drive.
Jack Hughes shakes off a chipped tooth to bury the overtime winner that hands Team USA Olympic gold. The Devils star's heroics cap a gritty tournament run, blending pain and glory in classic Hughes fashion. NHL front offices already buzz about how this fuels his sophomore surge back in New Jersey.
Elvis Merzlikins savors the 'huge honor' of battling on hockey's biggest stage in Milan. The netminder's journey from NHL starter to international warrior adds layers to his resume that Columbus values deeply. With the league resuming, his perspective fuels the fire for a Blue Jackets team eyeing the playoffs.
The Tampa Bay Lightning sent nine members to Milano Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where they chased hardware on the international stage. Stars like Victor Hedman rack up assists for Sweden, Jake Guentzel grabs gold with a gritty Team USA squad that stunned Canada in overtime, and Darren Raddysh pays up on a bold bet by donning a USA jersey at practice.
GMs across the league pored over every shift in Milan, and now the trade board looks wildly different with the roster freeze lifted. Players who lit up the Olympics boosted their stock sky-high, while others who faded might find themselves on the move sooner than expected. As the March 6 deadline looms, these international performances carry massive stakes for contenders hunting upgrades and sellers packaging assets.
Radek Faksa nurses an injury that puts his status up in the air for Wednesday's key matchup. Teams leaning on his bottom-six grit hate seeing this, especially with the schedule tightening post-Olympics. His availability swings lineup decisions and trade calculus for a squad that can't afford depth hiccups now.
Jack and Quinn Hughes stack cash like nobody's business, with contracts and earnings that scream dynasty in the making. These brothers dominate on ice and off, turning family talent into front-office envy. As their profiles soar post-Olympics, their financial empire underscores why every GM dreams of building around bloodlines like this.
NHL players keep lobbying hard for Olympic spots even as the injury bugbites loom large from those high-stakes international clashes. Guys like McDavid and MacKinnon just wrapped Milano-Cortina with records smashed and gold on the line, but front offices still grumble about lost seasons and banged-up rosters heading into playoffs. The NHLPA knows the pull of that Olympic dream runs deep in every locker room, and they push on because skipping it again risks fracturing the league's global grip.
Zach Werenski has elevated his game to superhero levels during the Olympics, carrying the Blue Jackets' hopes on his back like few defensemen can. Columbus fans know his cannon from the point, but this international spotlight reveals why he's the cornerstone they build around. With the team lurking near playoffs, his form sets the tone for what comes next in a critical stretch.
St. Louis players return from the 2026 Olympics with performances that GM Doug Armstrong couldn't have scripted better, fueling talk around their Central Division push. Bleedin' Blue insiders note how key Blues reps medaled or stood tall, easing deadline pressures amid roster freeze lifts. This glow could solidify their wildcard hunt if they channel that gold-medal grit back into NHL rinks.
Jack Hughes' gold-medal heroics at the 2026 Olympics spark buzz on how they recharge his Devils season amid injury comebacks and trade deadline noise. NY Sports Day explores the momentum shift for New Jersey's franchise face. With the roster freeze lifted, his form dictates whether Devils buy, sell, or stand pat.
Philadelphia's blue-liners turn Milan into their personal playground, anchoring defenses that shut down top lines. Coaches rave about their shutdown prowess abroad, but whispers question carryover to Broad Street battles. Flyers GM watches closely as this gold rush bolsters trade leverage or extension bids.
A scribbled note from Jack Hughes' 2019 draft interview uncovers his bold vision tied straight to that Olympic golden goal. Scouts and GMs remember the kid's fire, but this peek shows he plotted USA glory years ahead. Devils fans ponder how his international shine reshapes his next contract push.
Team USA's stunning Olympic gold over Canada spotlights the league's richest contracts, with mega-deals fueling the stars who delivered. Agents and capologists dissect these paydays amid the medal glow, revealing how salary structures shape roster battles back in the NHL. As players return stateside, their Olympic heroics amplify contract talks that define the next free-agency whirlwind.
St. Louis Blues open their crease to USA Hockey's elite goalie clinic, sharpening future netminders with NHL-level drills. Local talent and prospects soak up tips from pros who've stared down McDavid rushes, building the pipeline that feeds every roster. Event organizers highlight how these sessions spot diamonds in the rough, fueling Team USA's next Olympic charge.
The NHL's triumphant comeback to the Olympics in Milano Cortina lights a fire under the league's international ambitions, with Commissioner Bettman doubling down on Europe as the next frontier. GMs and owners see this momentum translating to packed rinks overseas and a deeper talent pool that benefits every roster back home. As the league eyes the 2028 World Cup split between continents, expect front offices to push harder for that worldwide edge that keeps North American dominance fresh.
Jack Hughes spits blood and sparks USA's golden charge, turning a gruesome dental disaster into tournament legend. The Devils star's battered smile embodies the grit that flipped the script on favorites. Back stateside, that warrior image amps his profile as New Jersey builds around him.
Team USA shocks the hockey world by clinching Olympic gold with Jack Hughes' overtime dagger against Canada, ending a 46-year drought since the Miracle days. Connor Hellebuyck stands tall with 41 saves, while Quinn Hughes earns Best Defender honors after logging monster minutes in the gold-medal clincher.
Dallas Stars players snag six medals from the 2026 Olympics, turning Milano Cortina into their personal trophy case. Front office suits pop champagne quietly while the locker room swells with momentum heading into the NHL stretch. This haul boosts morale and trade value across the board.
Linus Ullmark shakes off the Olympic layoff and confirms he's ready to roll for his club after a Games run that tested every goalie's grit. Coaches eyed his every move in Milano, knowing netminders return rusty or recharged from international duty. Bettors and fantasy GMs circle as he eyes a hot streak with the trade deadline looming large.
Jack Hughes buries the overtime winner against Canada to cap Team USA's gold rush, then unleashes a celebration that locker rooms will replay for weeks. The Devils' dynamo silenced doubters who questioned his spot on the roster with a tournament that screams playoff MVP vibes back home. Teammates spill on the behind-the-scenes chaos as Olympic fever hits the NHL stretch drive.
Jack Hughes just etched his name in Olympic lore with that overtime snipe to end Team USA's 46-year gold drought against Canada, but now a 2024 clip from his Devils days is blowing up online. In it, the New Jersey star shuts down the noise around NHL players skipping Pride Night, praising his team's full-throated embrace and his family's unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community.