If the Washington Capitals are going to make a major move to improve their team down the stretch, two deadlines are approaching over the next six weeks — one temporary and the other real — that could spur on trades around the league.
While March 6 at 3 pm (EST) is the trade deadline for the 2025-26 season, the NHL will institute a trade freeze for most of February ahead of the upcoming Olympic break.
According to longtime NHL insider John Shannon, the freeze will begin at 3 pm (EST) on February 4, and it’ll last until 11:59 pm (EST) on February 22.
Other NHL Key Dates for the Olympics
- The last game before the Olympic break is on February 5
- The NHL’s Olympic break for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games lasts from February 6 to February 24
- Teams are not allowed to hold practices from February 6 through February 16
- Teams can start having full practices again after 2 pm local time on February 17
- The Olympic tournament is set to last from February 11 through February 22
- The NHL schedule resumes on February 25
The Capitals, who are sinking down the standings and are currently sitting outside of a playoff spot, are in the market for a “higher-end, skilled winger,” and the freeze could give them an opportunity to complete a deal prior to the final stretch of the season. The Capitals are reportedly exploring a trade for Artemi Panarin and had been linked to Quinn Hughes before his trade to Minnesota.
With the Caps wanting to make another postseason run with Alex Ovechkin, the team could use a shot in the arm as soon as possible, especially with Pierre-Luc Dubois out until after the Olympic break. The Capitals haven’t won back-to-back games since the first week of December.
