Edmonton Oilers Kris Knoblauch.
NHL Trade Talk Morning Roundup – February 19
Welcome to today’s edition of the NHL Trade Talk Morning Roundup! Each morning, we provide three key NHL stories, covering team performances, trade rumors, and player updates. Since there were no NHL games last night, today’s focus will be on the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off matchups.
Team USA vs. Team Canada – Championship Game Preview
Tomorrow’s championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off will feature Team USA taking on Team Canada. In today’s update, we’ll discuss the uncertainty surrounding Quinn Hughes’s availability, potential MVP candidates, and highlight Connor McDavid’s elite skating speed.
Quinn Hughes Unlikely to Play in 4 Nations Face-Off Final
Will Quinn Hughes suit up for Team USA in the championship? As of yesterday, he was practicing with the Vancouver Canucks, making his participation in the final increasingly doubtful. Factors like injuries, tournament rules, and roster constraints make it unlikely that the Canucks captain will join Team USA. Instead, his focus appears to be on Vancouver’s upcoming matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. Edmonton Oilers Kris Knoblauch.
According to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, Hughes will only travel to Boston if he gets the green light to play. Michael Russo also reports that Team USA GM Bill Guerin is still trying to secure Hughes for the championship game.
Top Contenders for 4 Nations Tournament MVP
With the final yet to be played, four standout players have emerged as frontrunners for tournament MVP—two from each team:
- Team Canada:
- Sidney Crosby (Penguins) – Four assists and exceptional leadership.
- Connor McDavid (Oilers) – Scored what may be the tournament’s most impressive goal, effortlessly weaving through an entire defense.
- Team USA:
- Jake Guentzel (Lightning) – Two clutch goals in key games.
- Connor Hellebuyck (Jets) – His stellar goaltending has been a game-changer for Team USA, and another strong performance in the final could seal the MVP title.
McDavid’s Speed Dominates the 4 Nations Face-Off
Connor McDavid continues to showcase why he’s among the fastest skaters in NHL history. In the tournament, he has recorded 23 speed bursts exceeding 20 mph, four more than any other player. Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche) and Jack Eichel (Golden Knights) round out the top three in speed rankings.
