With the NHL hitting pause for the Olympic break, all 32 teams have a few days to breathe before the men’s hockey tournament kicks off in Milan on Wednesday. For the Chicago Blackhawks, the break began with a bit of housekeeping and a touch of disappointment.
Blackhawks Notes: Roster Moves and Olympic Snubs
The first move was expected: defenseman Sam Rinzel was reassigned to the Rockford IceHogs. It’s a logical decision-Rinzel gets to stay active during the Olympic downtime, rather than sitting idle while the NHL schedule is on hold. According to reports, he’ll be the only skater heading to the AHL during the break.
The more buzzworthy headline? Connor Bedard, once again, was left off Team Canada’s Olympic roster.
With Brayden Point officially ruled out due to injury, Hockey Canada had a spot to fill. But GM Doug Armstrong chose to go in a different direction, passing over Bedard for the second time.
It’s a notable omission, especially considering Bedard’s profile and the expectations surrounding him. Whether it’s about experience, fit, or something else entirely, the decision will be dissected plenty in the days ahead.
On the injury front, head coach Jeff Blashill gave minor updates on Wyatt Kaiser and Colton Dach, both of whom were banged up in the final game before the break-a 4-0 loss to Columbus that, frankly, looked like a team already halfway on vacation. Blashill also explained why rookie Ryan Greene was scratched for the first time this season, though the reasoning wasn’t detailed.
Around the NHL: Rivalries, Rookies, and a Red-Hot Goalie
Elsewhere in the league, the Panthers-Lightning rivalry added another fiery chapter. Thursday’s game saw 13 penalties and another round of fisticuffs between Brandon Hagel and Matthew Tkachuk-those two aren’t exchanging holiday cards anytime soon. Tampa Bay walked away with the win, steamrolling Florida 6-1 in a game that was more about emotion than execution.
In Pittsburgh, it was a night to remember for Avery Hayes. The rookie made his NHL debut and wasted no time making an impact, scoring twice in the Penguins’ 5-2 win over Buffalo. Four of Pittsburgh’s five goals came from rookies, a promising sign for a team looking to inject some youth into its core.
Carolina continues to roll. The Hurricanes extended their point streak to 10 games with a 2-0 shutout win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Goaltender Brandon Bussi, who grew up a Rangers fan, made the most of his return to New York, stopping all 16 shots he faced in front of a crowd that included plenty of family and friends. That’s a memory that’s going to stick.
In Calgary, the Flames were dealt a tough blow as forward Jonathan Huberdeau is expected to miss the rest of the season with a hip injury. He’s scheduled for surgery in March but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils made a last-minute move before the Olympic roster freeze, acquiring veteran forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues. It’s a depth play for the Devils, adding size and experience down the middle as they gear up for the stretch run.
And finally, a troubling off-ice development involving top 2026 draft prospect Gavin McKenna. The projected No. 1 overall pick is facing four charges, including one felony, after an alleged altercation in State College, Pennsylvania. The legal process will play out, but it’s a situation that will undoubtedly impact how teams evaluate him leading up to the draft.
What’s Next
With Olympic hockey about to take center stage, NHL teams are in a holding pattern. But as we’ve seen, the news doesn’t stop. Whether it’s roster moves, rivalries flaring up, or rookies making waves, there’s still plenty to keep an eye on before the league resumes play.