NHL teams aren’t letting a little thing like the 4 Nations Face-Off get in the way of making trades. That’s the word from insider Elliotte Friedman, who says several clubs are quietly preparing to make moves during the tournament.
"There might even be a secret memo floating around about mid-level deals getting the green light," Friedman revealed.
Don’t expect any blockbusters involving stars like Brock Nelson or Dylan Cozens. But there’s plenty of buzz around some solid role players who could be on the move.
Some names to watch:
• Brandon Tanev from Seattle
• Scott Laughton from Philadelphia
• Carson Soucy from Vancouver
• Mario Ferraro from San Jose
• Jake Evans from Montreal
The league’s big boys are circling. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights are all looking to beef up their rosters for a playoff push.
Here’s the thing – the NHL has put a lot of effort into promoting this tournament, which runs February 12-20. They’re probably not thrilled about trades stealing the spotlight.
But hockey’s a business, after all.
The actual games don’t start until February 18th, giving teams plenty of time to wheel and deal. With no official roster freeze in place, expect at least one trade to go down.
Teams are feeling the pressure with just two and a half months left in the regular season. If a good deal comes along, they’re not going to let a tournament stand in their way.
"Less eyes on the tournament means less money for the league," one source noted. "But teams have to do what’s best for them."
