Olympics today: Team Canada Women vs Team Finland today at 3:10 pm ET in the Milano Rho arena (the one in the convention centre, not the new one). This game is available in English and Inuktitut on GEM and in French on ICI TOU.TV.

Live coverage of other events starts at 3:55 am ET on CBC GEM.

I would not actually object.

Now, the news rundown:

Rangers deal Panarin to Kings ahead of Olympic roster freeze
The New York Rangers have traded winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a conditional third-round pick and prospect Liam Greentree.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

They have signed him to a two-year extension at $11 million AAV, and the Rangers retained 50% of his salary for this season. The take was modest, a good but not elite prospect in Liam Greentree, and a conditional third-round pick.

The conditions can turn that pick into a second-rounder if they win a playoff round, and the will also get a fourth-rounder if they win two rounds.

Panarin with a full NMC, chose the team he wanted to play for, and the Rangers had no other options.

St. Louis traded Nick Bjugstad to New Jersey:

And the Penguins' Caleb Jones has been suspended under the Performance Enhancing Substances Program. Like most rules in the NHL, this is a collectively bargained set of rules, and there is little to no motivation by the NHLPA to seek to change this. The NHL has never made any indication they want changes either, and there are very few infractions.

There are no trades now until midnight on February 22, but players can sign extensions during the break.

Some NHL players will leave early for the Olympics in order to be there for the opening ceremony. The charters for the bulk of them leave on Saturday.

Leon Draisaitl is definitely going early:

So is David Pastrnak:

His co-flag bearer is a biathlete.

10 questions about NHL teams and players as we head to the Olympic break
Will teams that are sending fewer players to the Olympics have a playoff race advantage? Who might push up from the East? How does the trade freeze work? Justin Bourne answers 10 questions heading into the NHL’s Olympic break.
Sportsnet.caJustin Bourne
Gavin McKenna Facing Felony Charge After Incident On January 31
McKenna faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Onward StateJack Anderson-Jussen

And to help you all in navigating the Leafs choices, their cap space:

They aren't exactly short on cap space next year, and have many options open to make more, add players, etc.

From The Branches