As the Olympics wrap up and we await the NHL's return, teams are in a unique transitional phase. Players are making their way back to their clubs, with some unexpected detours along the way.
Team USA, for instance, found themselves rerouted from New York to Miami due to a hefty snowstorm in the northeast. Interestingly, they weren't alone-Team Canada also touched down in Miami.
Meanwhile, the NHL trade rumor mill is buzzing. The Boston Bruins are in the spotlight as they search for a right-shot defenseman, a position that's not as common as their left-shot counterparts.
They're one of six teams reportedly on the hunt, and rumors are swirling around a potential interest in a 6-foot-4 Flyers defenseman, whose Olympic performance has caught attention. With the trade deadline looming on March 6, the Bruins are keen to bolster their lineup.
Elsewhere in the league, the Edmonton Oilers are shopping a forward who hasn't quite found his rhythm since leaving Washington. The Flyers, on the other hand, are in selling mode, with eyes on fresh prospects.
The Colorado Avalanche might face a challenge this week, potentially playing shorthanded after having four players involved in the gold medal game just 72 hours before their next match. They're not alone in this predicament, as several teams navigate similar post-Olympic adjustments.
In other NHL news, the Penguins have called up Avery Hayes, who made an impressive debut before the break. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs face uncertainty with Auston Matthews potentially unavailable due to the USA's celebrations.
As college hockey heads toward its conference tournaments, the NCAA rankings are out, with several Bruins prospects making the top 12. It's an exciting time as teams and players gear up for the next phase of the season, and fans are eagerly watching how the trade dynamics and player movements will unfold.