NHL Cancels UBS Arena Sendoff, Sets Feb 5–7, 2027

The NHL has canceled a planned Olympic sendoff media event at UBS Arena that had been slated for February 2026 so players can focus on traveling to and preparing for the Milan-Cortina Olympics. The league will pause the NHL season Feb. 6–24, 2026 to accommodate player participation, marking the NHL’s first Olympic involvement since 2014. The decision followed a reassessment of All-Star-format midseason events after the unexpected success of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, and Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league wants any All-Star-format event to meet newly raised expectations. UBS Arena and the New York Islanders will now host a traditional All-Star Weekend and Skills Competition Feb. 5–7, 2027, per league confirmations.