Some major NHL news could be coming down the pipeline on Monday. The March GM meetings will be kicking off in Florida with various items on the docket.
One of the most important items is the NHL’s next major event. The expectation is that the league will formally announce the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, insider Pierre LeBrun reported.
The success of the 4 Nations Face-Off last year and the smashing hit of the Winter Olympics this year have renewed interest in staging best-on-best events. As such, fans should expect NHL news on Monday to feature the announcement of this newest major event.
Of course, the possibility of another edition of the World Cup of Hockey is no secret. NHL news had hinted at a timeline for major best-on-best events alternating every two years.
The 4 Nations was a bit of a test event ahead of the 2026 Olympics. 2027 won’t feature any major events, with the All-Star game going ahead as usual. 2028 will feature the World Cup, with 2029 not hosting a major event.
That off-year will help the league gear up for the 2030 Winter Olympics in France. So, the tempo marks two major events in the next four years. The league should also announce the sites for the 2028 World Cup, with Edmonton and Calgary being major players.
It’s unclear which, if any, major events will happen beyond 2030. The 2034 Winter Olympics are far from a guarantee, while another World Cup of Hockey in 2032 is still light-years away.
Best-on-Best Events to Dominate NHL News
The possibility of best-on-best events should dominate the NHL news cycle on Monday. The league has been adamant about improving the game’s exposure worldwide by hosting premier events featuring the hockey world’s best players.
However, there may be some pushback considering the implications of major events. Last year and this season have seen condensed schedules that have come at the expense of players. Injuries have piled up across the league, leading to superstars hitting the shelf.
The toll that shutting down the league mid-season has also seen teams pay the price on the ice. It’s also worth pointing out that the NHL will be moving to an 84-game format next season. That’s another situation that should play into NHL news regarding major events moving forward.
Russian Participation Unclear in Next Major Event
Another item that should be a part of NHL news is Russian participation in major events. The 4 Nations and Olympics were devoid of Russian involvement due to numerous legal and political issues.
That said, the NHL will need to tackle this matter. The noticeable absence of Russian stars may call into question the true “best-on-best” nature of these upcoming tournaments. While the NHL has full control over the World Cup of Hockey, the 2030 Olympics are pretty much beyond the league’s control.
Be that as it may, NHL news on Monday could provide some clarity into Russia’s participation in the two biggest hockey events looming on the horizon. It will be interesting to see if the league moves towards easing its stance on Russian participation in 2028.
NHL News: League to Announce Major 2028 Event