NHL cancels Olympic sendoff, Isles get 2027 all-star event

NEW YORK — The NHL has canceled the Olympics event scheduled for February at the New York Islanders Arena and plans to host All-Star weekend there in 2027, two people familiar with the situation said.

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The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the decision had not been announced. ESPN was first to report the move during its coverage of the game between Boston and defending Stanley Cup champion Florida.

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UBS Arena was announced to host All-Star Weekend in 2026 when the league decided it would experiment with the event as a launching point for players, coaches and staff to gather there and fly from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Milan.

The massive success of the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament earlier this year has officials wondering how much sense it makes to hold a traditional all-star weekend with a skills competition and a game or a 3-on-3 tournament that has become a fixture in midseason hockey for nearly a decade. The NBA changed its format to USA vs. World to add variety.

NHL officials said the Islanders will likely receive an All-Star Game in the odd-numbered year between the return to the Olympics and the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. We hope to use the weekend of February 5-7, 2027 for this.