While the NHL season is currently on pause, the hockey world’s attention is firmly fixed on Milan, Italy, where the world’s best players are battling for gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The latest NHL news is dominated by incredible performances on the international stage, but back in North America, trade rumor chatter is reaching a fever pitch as the March 6 deadline draws closer.
NHL Stars Put on a Show at Milano Cortina 2026
Following a spectacular day of action on February 15, the preliminary round of the men’s Olympic hockey tournament has concluded, setting the stage for the knockout rounds. NHL superstars were front and center, leading their respective nations to crucial victories.
Team Canada made a massive statement with a resounding 10-2 thrashing of Team France, securing the top overall seed. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was unstoppable, notching a goal and two assists to take the undisputed tournament scoring lead with nine points. It was a historic night for Canada, as 19-year-old sensation Macklin Celebrini became the first player ever to score on a penalty shot in an Olympic game featuring NHL players. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby passed Jarome Iginla to become Canada’s all-time Olympic points leader.
Not to be outdone, Team USA wrapped up a perfect preliminary round with a commanding 5-1 win over Germany, clinching the top spot in Group C. Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews led the charge with two goals, showcasing his lethal scoring touch on the world stage.
Other notable outcomes from February 15 included Switzerland’s overtime win against Czechia and Slovakia’s victory over Latvia. The stage is now set for the qualification playoffs, followed by the quarterfinals, where powerhouse teams like Canada and the USA await their opponents.
Top 20 Olympic Men’s Scoring Leaders
Here are the scoring leaders for the Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey tournament following the conclusion of the preliminary round. NHL stars are shining brightly on the international stage, with Connor McDavid currently leading the pack.
| Rank | Player Name | Country | GP | G | A | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connor McDavid | 🇨🇦 CAN | 3 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
| 2 | Macklin Celebrini | 🇨🇦 CAN | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Juraj Slafkovsky | 🇸🇰 SVK | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | Sidney Crosby | 🇨🇦 CAN | 3 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 5 | Auston Matthews | 🇺🇸 USA | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 6 | Nathan MacKinnon | 🇨🇦 CAN | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 7 | Martin Necas | 🇨🇿 CZE | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 8 | Lucas Raymond | 🇸🇪 SWE | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 9 | Matthew Tkachuk | 🇺🇸 USA | 3 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 10 | Tim Stützle | 🇩🇪 GER | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 | Timo Meier | 🇨🇭 SUI | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 12 | Nick Olesen | 🇩🇰 DEN | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 13 | Cale Makar | 🇨🇦 CAN | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 14 | Mitch Marner | 🇨🇦 CAN | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 15 | Mark Stone | 🇨🇦 CAN | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 16 | Bo Horvat | 🇨🇦 CAN | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 17 | Filip Chlapik | 🇨🇿 CZE | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 18 | Kaapo Kakko | 🇫🇮 FIN | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 19 | Pius Suter | 🇨🇭 SUI | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 20 | Brady Tkachuk | 🇺🇸 USA | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
NHL Trade Rumors Grow Louder as Deadline Looms
Even with the Olympic break, NHL general managers are working the phones. The latest rumor mill is churning with speculation about big-name players potentially on the move before the trade deadline.
One of the most intriguing rumors involves the Los Angeles Kings potentially pursuing Nashville Predators captain Steven Stamkos. With Kevin Fiala suffering a season-ending injury at the Olympics, the Kings are in desperate need of scoring punch, and Stamkos could be the perfect short-term fix. However, Stamkos holds a full no-movement clause, so any deal would require his approval.
Other teams positioned as sellers, such as the Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers, are expected to be active. Players like Jonathan Marchessault, Elias Pettersson, and Jordan Binnington have all heard their names in trade chatter. The New Jersey Devils are also rumored to be looking for a “hockey trade” to shake up their roster, with Dawson Mercer’s name surfacing in reports.
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