{"id":458143,"date":"2026-02-14T19:39:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T19:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/458143\/"},"modified":"2026-02-14T19:39:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T19:39:15","slug":"olympic-buzz-heating-up-binnington-to-montreal-couturier-kane-drawing-trade-interest-despite-nhl-freeze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/458143\/","title":{"rendered":"Olympic Buzz Heating Up Binnington to Montreal? Couturier, Kane Drawing Trade Interest Despite NHL Freeze"},"content":{"rendered":"

Olympic Spotlight Heating Up Binnington Market\u2026 Couturier, Kane Drawing Real Interest Despite Freeze<\/p>\n

The trade freeze doesn\u2019t stop the talking. It never has.<\/p>\n

If anything, this is when a lot of the framework gets built. GMs are watching games together, texting, calling, comparing notes, and quietly laying the groundwork for what could happen the moment the freeze lifts. The Olympics only add fuel to that, especially when certain players remind everyone just how much they still have left.<\/p>\n

Three names are getting a lot of attention right now\u2026<\/p>\n

Binnington reminded the hockey world who he is with a shutout in his first Olympic game, and you can be sure NHL front offices were watching closely. The Canadiens, in particular, are doing more than casual scouting here. \u00a0Montreal has been looking for stability and experience in goal, and Binnington\u2019s big-game reputation has always carried weight. He\u2019s proven he can handle pressure, and performances on an international stage only reinforce that. The sense around the league is that the Canadiens are tracking him heavily, doing their homework, and trying to determine what the true cost would be if St. Louis ever made him available.<\/p>\n

This doesn\u2019t mean a deal is imminent.\u00a0But the interest is real, and the timing is interesting. A strong Olympic run can change perception fast.<\/p>\n

Couturier is quietly drawing attention again. \u00a0Edmonton appears to be the most serious team looking into the Flyers\u2019 center right now. The Oilers are constantly evaluating ways to strengthen their two-way play down the middle, and Couturier\u2019s defensive reliability, leadership, and experience make him an intriguing fit.<\/p>\n

Behind Edmonton, Pittsburgh and San Jose are both monitoring the situation. The Penguins always value smart, responsible centers, while the Sharks are doing deep dives on veteran leadership pieces who can help stabilize their group.<\/p>\n

The Flyers aren\u2019t actively shopping Couturier, but teams are calling. And when teams call about a center who can still log big minutes in all situations, you listen.<\/p>\n

Kane is another name that\u2019s starting to pick up traction again. \u00a0Washington appears to be the team most focused here. The Capitals are always looking for size, edge, and playoff-style forwards, and Kane checks every one of those boxes. His physical presence and scoring ability still make him a dangerous addition for a team thinking about a postseason push. \u00a0Boston and Dallas are also in the mix, both watching and assessing fit, cost, and timing. Neither team is rushing, but both are doing the background work you\u2019d expect this time of year.<\/p>\n

The Freeze Doesn\u2019t Stop the Planning<\/p>\n

The key thing to remember: a trade freeze doesn\u2019t mean silence.\u00a0It means planning. \u00a0GMs suddenly have time. They\u2019re together at events. They\u2019re watching the same games. They\u2019re talking more, not less. This is when ideas are floated, frameworks are tested, and interest levels become clearer. \u00a0They can also freely discuss players without having the fear of them being just ponds in the game and having those players disappear from underneath them…. something Mr. McCrimmon in Vegas is often talked about doing…<\/p>\n

No deals get announced\u2026 but a lot of deals get built.<\/p>\n

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