With the NHL officially on pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics, teams across the league are catching their breath, reassessing rosters, and gearing up for what promises to be a high-stakes stretch run. When the puck drops again in late February, there won’t be much margin for error - especially for teams on the bubble. Let’s dive into some of the biggest storylines to watch once the action resumes.
Are the Maple Leafs Headed Toward a Sell-Off?
The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a precarious position. Six points out of the second wild card spot, with just six games to play before the trade deadline once the Olympic break ends. That’s not a lot of runway.
Their post-break schedule doesn’t do them any favors either. Toronto comes back with a tough back-to-back against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers - two teams not exactly known for giving away points. If the Leafs come out of that swing empty-handed, the gap in the standings could widen fast, and the front office may have no choice but to pivot toward selling.
It’s a tough spot for a team that came into the season with playoff expectations. But with limited time to make up ground, Toronto’s direction could be determined within the first week of their return. If they stumble early, don't be surprised to see them flip the switch and start looking toward the future.
Panarin’s Move to L.A. Could Be the Domino That Starts the Party
The Artemi Panarin trade to the Los Angeles Kings didn’t just make headlines - it might’ve cracked open the entire trade market.
Big-name players like Panarin tend to create a traffic jam. Once they’re on the block, other teams often hit pause, waiting to see where the chips fall. Now that he’s landed in L.A., don’t be shocked if the trade chatter around the league ramps up in a hurry.
Several teams are already positioned to sell, and sell aggressively. The Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and New York Rangers have made it clear they’re open for business. With Panarin no longer clogging up the rumor mill, the path is clear for other moves to start materializing once the roster freeze lifts.
The trade deadline is always a whirlwind, but this year’s could be especially active - and Panarin’s move might’ve just lit the fuse.
Can the Red Wings and Sabres Finally Break Through?
It’s been a long road for fans in Detroit and Buffalo, but this season has a different feel.
Both the Red Wings and Sabres are sitting in strong positions heading into the Olympic break, and there’s real optimism they’ll still be in the mix when play resumes. For Detroit, there’s even a realistic shot at challenging for the top spot in the Atlantic Division - a scenario that could turn them into buyers at the deadline, not just playoff hopefuls.
Buffalo, meanwhile, has been quietly one of the league’s better teams over the past couple of months. While there’s always the risk of a post-break slide, the Sabres have shown enough consistency to suggest they’re for real this time.
If both teams hold their ground, we could be looking at playoff hockey in Detroit and Buffalo for the first time in a decade - or more. That’s not just good news for those cities; it’s great for the league.
Two storied franchises, both with passionate fan bases, finally getting back into the postseason conversation? That’s the kind of storyline that writes itself.
With the Olympic break giving teams a chance to regroup and recalibrate, the final stretch of the NHL season is shaping up to be a thriller. Whether it’s playoff pushes, trade fireworks, or long-awaited turnarounds, there’s no shortage of drama waiting on the other side of the break. Buckle up - the sprint to the finish is almost here.