Following the conclusion of the Olympic tournament, the NHL is back in action, although not all teams are operating at full strength. Notably, the Vegas Golden Knights had five of their key players absent from the ice after participating in the Olympic final against Canada, while the Winnipeg Jets were missing their primary goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck. In contrast, Jack Hughes, the author of the game-winning goal for the U.S. team, was present and already participating in the league game.

Latvian players Teodors Bļugers and Zemgus Girgensons returned to North America earlier than their compatriots who competed for their national teams in search of medals. On the same day they rejoined their respective NHL teams, both players saw considerable ice time but did not manage to score any points. Bļugers has recently been in the spotlight not for his performance with the Vancouver Canucks, but due to the likelihood of him being traded to another team before the NHL’s March 6 trade deadline.

This potential trade scenario has caught the attention of many hockey analysts, who speculate that it would be surprising if Bļugers remains with the Canucks beyond this crucial date. As the trade deadline approaches, teams are strategizing to strengthen their rosters. The NHL's dynamic atmosphere, especially after international competitions like the Olympics, can lead to significant player movements, affecting both team compositions and individual careers as the season progresses.