Gary Bettman confirms New York Islanders will host 2027 NHL All-Star event

A major announcement was made just before the Stanley Cup Final. It involves the New York Islanders, a big hockey event, and something fans have been waiting to hear. This update came from the NHL’s top voice.

But some details are still unclear, and many questions remain.

On Saturday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke during his yearly “State of the NHL” address. This happened about two hours before the 2025 Stanley Cup Final began. Bettman stated at this address that the New York Islanders will stage their first NHL event in 2027, at UBS Arena, the Islanders' home rink in Elmont, New York. Still uncertain, though, is the precise timetable of the event.Bettman called it an “All-Star style” event, but said the full plan is being worked on.The decision comes after the NHL cancelled the 2026 All-Star Game. Instead of the usual format, the league plans an “Olympic Send-Off” that also has no set structure yet.

This new 2027 event appears to be a response to demands from New York’s state leadership. Governor Kathy Hochul reportedly urged the NHL to give the Islanders a major event. Many believed it was fair, especially after the 2026 cancellation.So far, the Islanders have not given a public statement about the announcement.

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Other key points from the NHL commissioner’s address

During the same address, Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly spoke on other topics too. One big point was about taxes. Some NHL teams, like those in Florida and Nevada, do not have state income tax. This can be helpful when offering player contracts.Teams in states like New York and California often mention this as a problem. It makes it harder for them to match deals from low-tax states. However, Bettman said the league will not take action on this issue.

That means teams like the Islanders may still face challenges when signing top players.Bettman did not explain why the NHL is avoiding this topic. He simply said, “We’re not getting into it.”Though the Islanders have not made a statement, fans are now excited to see what the 2027 event will look like. The NHL has promised to share more updates as plans develop.