Overview
- The league’s Olympic roster freeze starts Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. ET and runs until 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 22, with limited waiver and assignment exceptions outlined by PuckPedia.
- Regular-season play halts after Feb. 5 and resumes Feb. 25, and teams cannot practice from Feb. 6–16 before workouts reopen the afternoon of Feb. 17.
- Artemi Panarin controls any move with a full no‑movement clause, has been held out of the Rangers’ lineup, and reportedly declined a trade to Seattle despite widespread interest.
- Reports indicate Nazem Kadri is open to a trade from Calgary, though his term and 13‑team no‑trade list shape timing and potential destinations.
- Fantasy Week 18 is split around the break with no changes to transaction limits or goalie‑start minimums, creating value on teams playing three pre‑break games (e.g., Sabres, Panthers, Predators, Islanders, Senators, Penguins, Capitals) versus clubs with only one (Ducks, Bruins, Rangers), while injuries and returns include Robert Thomas out until after the Olympics and Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark winning first star with a 26‑save return.