10 Key NHL Storylines to Follow Before the Olympic Break: Winter Classic in Miami and Milestones
The NHL is back in action after the holiday break, with 13 games set to take place this Saturday. This kicks off a busy six-week period leading up to the Olympic Winter Games break from February 6 to 24. As we gear up for the excitement ahead, here are 10 things to keep an eye on in the world of hockey.
First up, the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship is set to begin in Minnesota on Friday, with the United States aiming for their third consecutive title. This would be a historic feat, as no country has achieved this since Canada’s five-title run from 2005-2009. Keep an eye out for returning players like Cole Eiserman, James Hagens, and Max Plante, as well as top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Next, NHL players will be making their return to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014. Twelve countries have already named six players each to their preliminary rosters, with the rest of the 25-player squads set to be announced by December 31. France has already revealed most of its roster, with the others to follow suit shortly.
The 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic will be making history as it heads to Miami for the first time. The game will see the New York Rangers take on the Florida Panthers at loanDepot park on January 2. Keep an eye out for Matthew Tkachuk’s potential return to the Panthers lineup following surgery.
Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane is also on a milestone chase, aiming for 500 NHL goals and surpassing Mike Modano’s record for points by a U.S.-born player. With just two goals and nine points away from these milestones, Kane’s return to the ice is highly anticipated, possibly as soon as December 31.
Sergei Fedorov is set to become the ninth player to have his number retired by the Detroit Red Wings on January 12. Look out for the ceremony honoring Fedorov as his No. 91 jersey is raised at Little Caesars Arena.
Meanwhile, Auston Matthews and Steven Stamkos are chasing goal-scoring records of their own. Matthews aims to break the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goal-scoring record, while Stamkos looks to become the 22nd player in NHL history to reach 600 goals.
Hockey Day in Canada will take place on January 17, with Moncton, New Brunswick hosting the 26th annual Scotiabank Hockey Day celebration. All seven Canadian NHL teams will be in action throughout the day, promising a full day of exciting hockey.
In January, we’ll also see the return of Jonathan Toews and Mitch Marner to their former teams as visitors. Toews will face the Chicago Blackhawks as a member of the Winnipeg Jets, while Marner takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Finally, keep an eye out for Anze Kopitar as he approaches his 1,500th game when the Los Angeles Kings visit the St. Louis Blues on January 24. The Kings captain plans to retire after this season, capping off an impressive 20-year career in the NHL.
As we gear up for an action-packed few weeks in the hockey world, these are just a few of the exciting storylines to watch out for before the Olympic break in February. Stay tuned for all the thrilling action on the ice!
