"The 2026 Milano Olympics are going to be perfect. Best on best hockey rarely disappoints, and when you bake in the fact that it has been 12 years since the last time NHLers participated in the Olympic Games, this February is going to be particularly special. The added bonus? We, as consumers, get a year reprieve from what has become a painful exercise in corporate compost and a league not being totally sure how to present its best."
"So, let's fix it. Let's go back 25 years to revive a format that existed from 1998 to 2002, and pit North America's best against the top players from around the world. Maybe, just maybe, the players will compete with a little more juice and a little more pride? And maybe, just maybe, the fans will understand what they're watching and being asked to root for."
"The other wrinkle is stolen from the NBA, who included a "Commissioner's Pick" to honour aging stars Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade in the 2019 All-Star festivities. The NHL needs to do the same. Bring a couple veteran legends who have fallen below the typical all-star standard. Have them participate in the skills competition. Let them have a shift, and wear a letter. Give our old stars their flowers. Nostalgia rarely fails."
The NHL All-Star Weekend has grown stale: 3-on-3, division matchups, and draft formats have failed to engage players and fans. A revival of the 1998–2002 North America vs World format would restore competitive balance and clearer allegiances. Not every franchise would automatically get a representative; selections should reflect true all-star merit. Include Commissioner's veteran picks to honor aging legends with skills-competition roles and limited shifts to deliver nostalgia. The 2026 Milano Olympics returning NHL players will elevate international significance and offer a refreshing alternative to the current All-Star spectacle.
Read at Puck Prose
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