Three Possible Options For The 2026 NHL All-Star Game

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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman indicated at the conclusion of the GM meetings in Florida on Wednesday that the league is reevaluating the format of the 2026 All-Star Game at UBS Arena next February, which will be just prior to the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Bettman did not specify what exactly the league has in mind in terms of changes, but here are three possible options:

Gary Bettman not committing to classic #NHL All-Star game for next year. Says the Islanders will get “an event.” But what that is, he won’t be “pinned down” on yet.

4 Nations raised the bar on what the league wants for its signature showcases.

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 19, 2025

Expanded Skills Competition​

One undeniable fact that resulted from the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off was how injuries that occurred in the tournament (such as the loss of Charlie McAvoy, Shea Theodore and Matthew Tkachuk) affected NHL clubs after the break. With the likelihood of two weeks of hard-fought competition in Italy, the league may want to minimize the workload and risk of injury in the All-Star Game. One way that they could do that – while increasing the entertainment value of the weekend – is to eliminate the game altogether and expand the number of events in the skills competition, which fans seem to find more interesting than a no-contact game of shinny.

Teams Based On Nationality, Not Division​

The game in recent years has been a round-robin of teams made up by division. With all eyes looking forward to the Olympics, the NHL should want to take advantage of that and have teams made up of individual countries. In this instance, you could have as many as eight separate squads (Canada, United States, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Germany) playing in a skills competition or round-robin.

Teams Based On Age Range​

The most exciting team at the 2016 World Cup was Team North America, made up of players aged 23 or younger. Squads could be assembled by age range, 18-24, 25-31, and 32 and older, which would allow youngsters like Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini to participate since the odds of them making Team Canada are slim. The All-Star Game may be the only opportunity for Alex Ovechkin to play, since Russia will likely be prevented from participating due to the IIHF ban.

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