"The now-scrapped event had been billed as a Super-Bowl-style "Opening Night" for the NHL's returning Olympians - the league's first full participation in the Games since 2014. It was to bring more than 100 players under one roof for a fan-attended media spectacle before they flew to Milan-Cortina. The league had publicly framed the concept as both a marketing play and a moment to celebrate the global stage NHL talent was returning to."
"UBS Arena still remains central to the league's near-term tent-pole calendar. The 2027 All-Star Weekend will continue as planned in Elmont, giving the Islanders' home a marquee event without the overlap with the Olympics. The All-Star designation further cements UBS Arena - one of the NHL's newest buildings - as a destination for league-wide showcases. The timing may end up being perfect for the Islanders franchise."
The NHL canceled the planned Olympic send-off at UBS Arena ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. The send-off had been designed to gather more than 100 returning NHL Olympians for a fan-attended media spectacle and marketing showcase before travel to Milan-Cortina; no replacement event has been announced. UBS Arena will still host the 2027 NHL All-Star Weekend in Elmont with a traditional skills competition and All-Star format, not the Four Nations Face-Off. The All-Star designation reinforces UBS Arena as a league showcase venue and could align with Matthew Schaefer’s potential All-Star selection on home ice.
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