U.S. Olympic gold medal winners shake up the NHL landscape with trade requests
Following a gold medal win at the Winter Olympics, several prominent American NHL players have requested trades from their respective teams. Players and analysts suggest the experience of winning at the international level has shifted the players' career priorities toward seeking championship-contending environments.
Why it matters
The trend of star players forcing trades significantly impacts team rosters and the competitive balance of the NHL.
United States players Brady Tkachuk (7), Matthew Tkachuk, centre, and Zach Werenski (8) celebrate after their overtime win against Canada in the men's hockey gold medal game at the Winter Olympics in Milan, earlier this year. Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press
What happened in Milan did not stay in Milan. It may have changed the course of NHL history.
Since the U.S. won gold at the Olympics in February, three members of that team asked for a trade and another was the subject of serious trade talk that did not materialize. Brady Tkachuk asked out of Ottawa and wound up in Florida to play with brother Matthew; Connor Hellebuyck could soon join him crossing the border after going public with his trade demand to leave Winnipeg; and Dylan Larkin’s future in Detroit is in limbo following his desire for a fresh start.
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