Golden Knights sit 5 from Olympic gold-medal game in NHL return against Kings

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights were without five players from the Olympic gold medal-game Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL's return from a three-week break.

Having already ruled out center Jack Eichel and defenseman Noah Hanifin from the champion United States, the Golden Knights traveled without Canadian forwards Mark Stone and Mitch Marner and defenseman Shea Theodore.

“Well, it’s a challenge to the group, and it’s an opportunity for others, so we still got 20 NHL players in our lineup,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Obviously, less room for error when you’re missing some real difference-makers.”

The United States beat Canada 2-1 in overtime in Milan on Sunday. Eichel, Stone and Marner are Vegas’ top three point producers, Theodore and Hanifin lead Vegas defensemen in ice time and points.

Eichel and Hanifin will join up with the Golden Knights in Washington and are expected to play against the Capitals on Friday night. Cassidy expressed optimism Stone, Marner and Theodore will make the trip from Las Vegas to the East Coast and also be available Friday.

Vegas does have reinforcements coming into the lineup with forwards Brandon Saad (undisclosed) and Colton Sissions (upper body) and defenseman Brayden McNabb (upper body) all having been activated off injured reserve Tuesday.

The Golden Knights have a four-point lead over the second-place Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division. Vegas will play 18 games over the next 35 days.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

United States' Jack Eichel celebrates with teammates after defeating Canada in a men's ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Canada's Mitch Marner warms up before a men's ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Canada's Mark Stone (61) challenges with Finland's Olli Maatta (3) during a men's ice hockey semifinal game between Canada and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears have agreed to let linebacker Tremaine Edmunds seek a trade, agent Todd France said Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Edmunds is entering the final season of a four-year, $72 million contract he signed in 2023 and could be released if he doesn't find a trade partner. He has a $17.4 million salary cap hit for next season, but the Bears would save $15 million in cap space by letting him go before the start of the league year next month. The Chicago Tribune first reported the Bears have agreed to allow Edmunds to seek a trade.

Edmunds helped the Bears go from worst to first in the NFC North. He led the team with 112 tackles despite missing four games with a groin injury and had four interceptions.

Chicago went 11-6 and won its first division title since 2018 after finishing last in the NFC North the previous season. The Bears advanced in the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, rallying to beat Green Bay in a wild-card thriller before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime in the divisional round.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

FILE - Chicago Bears middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds looks on during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 2, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)