How many transactions will take place before the Olympic break?
Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta joined Steve Kouleas and Nate Thompson on Sirius XM NHL Network. There he was asked about the likelihood of teams making moves before the Olympic break.
NHLRumors.com Transcripts
NHL Rumors: Are Dougie Hamilton’s Days Numbered in New Jersey?
Nate Thompson: “This season with the Olympics. And that’s coming up, that’s looming with GMs. Is it a different philosophy this year going to the Olympics? Are they thinking, OK, I have to make this trade before the Olympics, or is it closer to the trade deadline in early March?”
Dave Pagnotta: “I’ve talked to a bunch of different general managers and other management types around the league. I’ve talked to Mathieu Darche with the Islanders. And you know the idea of making a move before the deadline, excuse me, before the Olympic break. That appeals to a lot of people. Because they get their stuff done a little bit earlier than normal. And they don’t have to go in this mad rush because it’s twelve days from the Olympic freeze to the trade deadline.”
They get things done early, and it also makes it easy for the player to get used to their new surroundings. This doesn’t throw him straight into the fire, where this is our new guy, he’s playing tonight. You’ll see him in a few minutes when he takes the ice for pregame. This gives them many more opportunities to orientate themselves in their new environment, with their new team, and to grow further from there.
NHL Rumors: Florida Panthers looking to add depth
So there is a positive element in making something happen faster. But of course it comes down to what two teams have to agree on, a deal to make it happen. I think there is a preference. I think some teams will try to make something happen this month and before February 4, when the roster freeze then goes into effect at midnight.
But of course this competition especially likes working with deadlines. So this is the Deadline Junior, if they can’t figure it out, they go: Okay, well, at least we have some time, a runway until the trade deadline. But I do believe we will see some activity leading up to Deadline Junior, the Olympic hiatus.
NHL Rumors.com Note: Something to watch is whether teams that thought they were in the playoff mix start selling if the losing streak continues. Could there be a Dougie Hamilton trade given what’s going on between the player and the Devils from New Jersey at this moment? There are only a few vendors at the moment and this month will be crucial for many teams.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumors overviews and hot topics from around the league. We also post some stuff Instagram.
#teams #trades #Olympic #break