NHL cancels Olympic send-off, grants Isles 2027 All-Star Game
Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks during the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The NHL has canceled a planned send-off event for the 2026 Winter Olympics in February at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
The league, however, plans to hold the All-Star Game and skills competition at the New York Islanders' home arena in 2027.
The initial plan was to create an international event on Long Island to replace the 2026 All-Star Game. That drew the ire of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who expressed her disappointment to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in a letter and requested the league "bring a hockey event with equal or greater economic activity and cultural value to the region in 2027."
League games will pause from Feb. 6-24 to accommodate the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The last time NHL players competed in the Olympics was in 2014, when Canada won gold in Sochi, Russia.
The league opted against a traditional All-Star Weekend for the 2025-26 season and planned another international event on the heels of the success of the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off.
--Field Level Media
Wild All-Star Idea That Could Save NBA All-Star Weekend
Of Course Paul Skenes Wants To Join the New York Yankees
Ime Udoka’s Rockets Are the Future of Big-Man Basketball
- NHL Picks for Wednesday November 12th: Rangers vs. Lightning, Orioles vs. Flyers Bets
- Best NBA Bets November 11th: Top Tuesday Basketball Picks, Predictions
- NHL Picks and Predictions for November 11: Best Hockey Bets Tuesday
- Eagles vs. Packers Week 10 Monday Night Football Top Betting Picks, Predictions
- NHL Picks and Predictions for November 10: Panthers vs Golden Knights Highlight the Slate
- NBA Sunday Best Bets: November 9th's Top Betting Picks & Predictions
- Steelers vs. Chargers Week 10 Sunday Night Football Top Betting Picks, Predictions
