A handful of American players on Canadian NHL teams have requested trades in recent months, but Utah Mammoth forward Vincent Trocheck doesn't believe Team USA's gold-medal performance at the Olympics is the reason.
"I think people make it a bigger thing than it is," Trocheck, who recorded three assists in six games at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.
"Obviously, people want the headlines, but the whole Canada thing or guys wanting out of Canada that are from the U.S., I think it was more situational than it was anything else."
Since Team USA won its first Olympic men's hockey gold in 46 years by beating Canada in the championship game, a few American players on Canadian teams have made major news.
Notably, the Ottawa Senators traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, while Winnipeg Jets superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck formally requested a trade and has been suspended for failing to report to camp. Both Tkachuk and Hellebuyck played for Team USA at the Olympics.
"There's (a group chat) from Team USA. But not, like, a trade talk one," Trocheck said, as rumors have swirled about marquee American stars playing in Canadian markets. "It's been dormant for a little bit. It's sad. I might have to fire it back up."
Trocheck was traded from the New York Rangers to the Mammoth this past offseason.
