NHL GMs Juggle Roster Moves During Olympic Break

Teams must navigate injuries, playoff pushes, and the upcoming trade deadline while many players are in Milan Cortina.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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With many NHL players competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, league general managers are staying busy during the break. Teams are assessing their playoff chances, managing injuries, and preparing for the upcoming trade deadline on March 6. GMs are allowed to speak with each other during the roster freeze, laying the groundwork for potential deals. Executives attending the Olympics in Milan Cortina must also balance their front office duties with responsibilities for their national teams.

Why it matters

The Olympic break comes at a critical time for NHL teams, with many clubs jockeying for playoff positioning in tight divisional and wild card races. Injuries sustained by players at the Olympics could significantly impact a team's postseason hopes, making the next few weeks crucial for GMs to position their rosters. The trade deadline also looms, giving teams a short window to make moves that could shape the rest of their season.

The details

NHL teams have until the March 6 trade deadline to make roster moves, though a league-wide roster freeze is in place during the Olympic break. GMs are still allowed to communicate with each other and lay the groundwork for potential trades, but cannot officially complete any deals until the freeze is lifted on February 22. Teams are also using this time to assess their playoff chances, with several clubs within striking distance of wild card spots in both conferences. Injuries suffered by Olympians, like the season-ending leg fracture sustained by Los Angeles Kings forward Kevin Fiala, are a major concern for GMs as they navigate the break.

  • The Olympic roster freeze is in place from February 5 to February 22.
  • The NHL trade deadline is on March 6.
  • The regular season schedule resumes on February 25, following the Olympic break.

The players

Artemi Panarin

A forward for the Los Angeles Kings who was acquired in a trade before the Olympic break.

Kevin Fiala

A forward for the Los Angeles Kings who suffered a season-ending leg fracture while playing for Switzerland at the Olympics.

Don Waddell

The general manager and president of hockey operations for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Bill Guerin

The general manager of the Minnesota Wild and the general manager of the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team.

Jim Nill

The general manager of the Dallas Stars and an assistant general manager for the Canadian Olympic men's hockey team.

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What they’re saying

“There's nothing that stops people from talking. You just can't consummate a deal, of course. You're not going to call a guy when he's either at the Olympics or in Mexico City or Miami or wherever he is and tell him he's been traded.”

— Don Waddell, General Manager and President of Hockey Operations, Columbus Blue Jackets (ESPN)

“The way I look at it is we're very fortunate to have nine Olympians. That means we have good players and a good team, and they have this unique opportunity of a lifetime that we're all embracing. Of course, there is always risk. You can't do something like this risk-free, but it's worth it. If something happens? We'll figure it out.”

— Bill Guerin, General Manager, Minnesota Wild (ESPN)

“There's a lot of teams with uncertainty. There are a lot of teams in the mix for the playoffs, and I can't stress enough how important it is for teams and organizations to make the playoffs. Those teams will have to make decisions. Are they buyers? Are they sellers? That's a lot of uncertainty. But we've done our homework and we're prepared.”

— Jim Nill, General Manager, Dallas Stars (ESPN)

What’s next

The NHL roster freeze will be lifted on February 22, allowing teams to complete any trades or roster moves they have been discussing during the Olympic break. The regular season schedule will resume on February 25, with the trade deadline set for March 6, giving teams a short window to finalize their rosters for the stretch run and playoffs.

The takeaway

The 2026 Olympic break has presented a unique challenge for NHL general managers, who must balance their team's playoff push, manage injuries to key players, and prepare for the upcoming trade deadline - all while many of their top players are competing in the Milan Cortina Games. This short window of time could prove pivotal in determining which teams make the postseason and how they are constructed for the final stretch.