Fantasy Hockey Trade Tips Before Olympic Break

Suggestions on players to target or trade away ahead of the NHL's Olympic hiatus

Feb. 4, 2026 at 9:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

With the NHL shutting down for the Olympics, fantasy hockey managers have a limited window to make trades before the home stretch. Rotoworld's Michael Finewax provides tips on players to target, like Brayden Point and Seth Jones, as well as players to consider trading away, such as Aaron Ekblad and Ryan O'Reilly.

Why it matters

The NHL's Olympic break provides a unique opportunity for fantasy managers to make strategic trades that could pay dividends in the final push to the playoffs. Identifying undervalued players returning from injury or those who may see their roles change post-break is key to gaining an edge.

The details

Finewax highlights several players as trade targets, including Lightning center Brayden Point, who is expected to be fully healthy after the break, and Panthers defenseman Seth Jones, who is hoping the time off will allow him to recover from an upper-body injury. On the flip side, he suggests trading away Panthers blueliner Aaron Ekblad, whose power-play time may decrease with Jones' return, and Ducks center Mikael Granlund, who could lose his first-line role to prospect Leo Carlsson. Additionally, Finewax recommends trading Predators center Ryan O'Reilly, who is having a strong season but could see his value diminish if he's dealt to a contender and relegated to a third-line role.

  • The NHL trade deadline is at 3 pm ET on Wednesday, February 8, 2026.
  • The NHL will shut down for the Olympic break from February 9 to February 25, 2026.
  • The NHL season will resume on February 26, 2026.

The players

Brayden Point

A center for the Tampa Bay Lightning who has been sidelined since January 12 with a lower-body injury, but is expected to be fully healthy upon his return from the Olympic break.

Seth Jones

A defenseman for the Florida Panthers who last played on January 2 and is dealing with an upper-body injury, but the team is hopeful he will return to action on February 26.

Aaron Ekblad

A defenseman for the Florida Panthers who has seen his power-play time decrease and has struggled offensively, with only 3 goals and 21 points in 54 games this season.

Mikael Granlund

A center for the Anaheim Ducks who has excelled as the team's first-line center, but is likely to lose that role to prospect Leo Carlsson upon Carlsson's return from injury.

Ryan O'Reilly

A center for the Nashville Predators who is having a strong season, but could see his fantasy value diminish if he is traded to a contender and relegated to a third-line role.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Point has been out of action since Jan. 12 with a lower-body injury, and while he will not return to the Tampa Bay lineup play before the break, he is still hopeful that he will be healthy enough to join Canada at the Winter Olympics. He is expected to be fully healthy upon his return from the break, which should make him a prime candidate to trade for at this time.”

— Michael Finewax, Editor at Rotoworld.com

“Jones last played Jan. 2 against the Rangers, managing only three minutes of ice time before he left the game in the opening stanza with an upper-body injury. He and the Panthers are hoping the break gives him enough time to heal and that he will return to action Feb. 26 against the Maple Leafs, the Panthers first game back.”

— Michael Finewax, Editor at Rotoworld.com

“Cooley (lower body) has been out of action since Dec. 6, a span of 27 games. The good news is that he has returned to the ice in the last few days, skating in a noncontact jersey Monday. Cooley is one of the brightest young players in the NHL.”

— Michael Finewax, Editor at Rotoworld.com

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.