Patrik Laine and Robert Thomas dominate the latest trade predictor as GMs scramble post-Olympics with the freeze lifted and deadline fever building. Front offices whisper about NTC waivers and sky-high asking prices, especially for St. Louis' prized center who's dodging questions like a pro. Deals simmer behind closed doors, poised to reshape contenders before March 6, and one wrong move could derail a playoff push.

Fans keep pitching wild Blues trades like sending Binnington to Montreal or Robert Thomas to Minnesota, and with St. Louis scraping the standings' bottom, GM Doug Armstrong listens to every angle. Thomas holds a full no-trade clause and an $8.125 million cap hit through his eight-year deal, but whispers say he might waive it for the right fit while the Blues demand a king's ransom.

The Minnesota Wild made a splash acquiring Quinn Hughes from Vancouver back in December, but early returns suggest one star defenseman won't be enough to compete with Dallas or Colorado in the playoffs. With the trade deadline just two weeks away and the Olympic roster freeze lifting today, GM Bill Guerin is already circling potential targets like Vincent Trocheck and Robert Thomas to address the team's glaring need at center.

Jake Oettinger backstops Team USA to gold over Canada in a gold-medal thriller that reignites old rivalries. Thomas Harley grabs silver amid controversy that has players and pundits debating calls long after the final buzzer. NHL stars return home with hardware, but the heated fallout tests international bonds ahead of the stretch drive.

Finland dominates Slovakia 6-1 in the bronze medal game, with Sebastian Aho opening the scoring and Miro Heiskanen anchoring a stifling defense that leaves the Slovaks chasing shadows. Erik Haula and Roope Hintz pile on in the third as Juuse Saros stones Thomas Tatar's lone response, turning a tight affair into a rout. Slovakia fights valiantly despite fewer NHL stars, but Finland's depth proves too much after their semifinal heartbreak against Canada.

Carolina's front office loads up draft picks and cap space, positioning them to swing big for scorers like Jordan Kyrou or Robert Thomas as the deadline nears. Rod Brind'Amour's crew already dominates the East, but GM Eric Tulsky eyes that extra top-shelf firepower to bury playoff foes. Everyone knows the Canes play the long game, and this deadline aggression could turn their contender status into dynasty talk.