Olympic Spotlight Puts Pressure on 4 NHL Stars Already in Trade Rumors

The Winter Olympics can be a showcase unlike any other — a best-on-best stage where reputations are built, narratives shift, and front offices take notice. For NHL players already in trade rumors, the tournament offers a significant opportunity to boost their respective trade value. But the opposite is just as true. A rough showing could cool interest fast and, in some cases, take a player off the trade board entirely.

Here are four NHL names who could play their way out of trade contention with a disappointing Olympic performance.

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Elias Pettersson (C, Vancouver Canucks – Team Sweden)

Few players have faced more speculation over the past year and change than Elias Pettersson. The 27-year-old Canucks star has been at the center of trade chatter amid Vancouver’s struggles and ongoing roster shakeups — including the stunning departure of both J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes. While Pettersson carries a massive contract and a no-movement clause, his name is certainly out there.

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The Olympics could be pivotal. A dominant tournament for Sweden, and specifically Pettersson, would remind teams why he is still viewed as an elite, franchise-level player. But if he struggles and doesn’t produce much, it could reinforce concerns that he’s not worth betting on.

For potential trade partners, committing major assets and cap space to a player who looks disengaged on the international stage would be a significant gamble. If he’s really ineffective, his contract could reach “untouchable” territory.

Jordan Binnington (G, St. Louis Blues – Team Canada)

The Blues have signaled they’re open for business, and Jordan Binnington’s name continues to surface as a possible trade chip — provided he shows well in a tournament where everyone is questioning his selection before even playing a game.

The Olympics offer him a massive stage to prove a lot of people wrong. As a likely starter for Canada, Binnington will have both pressure and opportunity. A strong tournament against elite shooters could re-establish him as a reliable No. 1 and spark legitimate deadline interest. If he chokes, as many think he’ll do, he’ll be a player teams steer clear of and the Blues won’t be able to trade him, even if they offer a sweetener.

With other Canadian options like Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper waiting to replace him in goal, a stumble could even cost Binnington the crease mid-tournament.

A poor Olympic performance might make St. Louis’ netminder far harder to move — or force the Blues to retain salary to facilitate a deal.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D, Toronto Maple Leafs – Team Sweden)

Oliver Ekman-Larsson finds himself in an interesting spot. Sweden’s blue line is loaded with names like Rasmus Dahlin, Victor Hedman, and Erik Karlsson. OEL is the one name in the rumor mill in the NHL.

With the Maple Leafs likely set to sell coming out of the break and into the NHL trade deadline, Ekman-Larsson will be a name fans are watching closely. His veteran presence and puck-moving ability make him a potential trade chip if the Leafs are dumping assets and a strong showing at the Olympics could make him a popular target.

If he looks a step slow and struggles against high-end competition, or posts minimal impact on a stacked roster, he’s likely not going anywhere. Or at best, the Leafs don’t get a great return.

David Kämpf (C, Vancouver Canucks – Team Czechia)

David Kämpf isn’t flashy, but he’s cheap and fairly reliable in a depth role. A $1.1 million cap hit for the Vancouver Canucks, the Canucks are sellers. Kämpf’s bottom-six skill set — faceoffs, penalty killing, defensive awareness — typically appeals to playoff-bound teams seeking depth.

With Czechia, he’s expected to play a checking role alongside offensive stars like David Pastrnak and Tomas Hertl. A solid tournament where he wins key draws, kills penalties effectively, and chips in timely offense would strengthen his trade value.

But if he fades into the background, loses important faceoffs, or struggles to make an impact in limited minutes, potential suitors may see him as replaceable rather than essential, cooling trade interest.

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