NHL Season on Pause as Players Head to Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

The NHL has officially paused its regular season for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, leaving hockey fans without their usual slate of professional games on Monday, February 9. The league went on hiatus after games concluded on Thursday, February 5, allowing players to travel to Italy and represent their countries in Olympic competition for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games. The NHL will resume play on February 25 following the conclusion of the men's ice hockey tournament.

This marks a historic return to Olympic participation for NHL players after a 12-year absence. The league sat out both the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics due to disagreements between the NHL, the International Olympic Committee, and the International Ice Hockey Federation over financial arrangements and scheduling concerns. However, an agreement was finally reached in 2024 that satisfied all parties, paving the way for the world's best hockey players to compete on the Olympic stage once again.

During the Olympic break, fans can still enjoy high-level hockey action as the men's and women's Olympic tournaments unfold in Italy. On Monday, February 9, several preliminary round games took place, including matchups between Japan and Italy at 6:10 AM ET, Germany versus France at 10:40 AM ET, Switzerland facing the United States at 2:10 PM ET, and Canada taking on Czechia in women's competition. These games feature many familiar faces from the NHL competing under their national flags.

The Olympic break provides NHL players with a unique opportunity to represent their countries and compete for gold medals on the world's biggest sporting stage. For many veterans, the 2026 Winter Olympics may be their last chance to add an Olympic medal to their trophy cases, making the tournament particularly meaningful. Younger stars are experiencing their first Olympic Games, eager to make their mark in international competition and create memories that will last a lifetime.

NHL teams are taking different approaches to the break, with some grateful for the rest after grueling first-half schedules, while others worry about losing momentum during the nearly three-week pause. Coaches and general managers have stressed the importance of their players staying healthy during Olympic competition, though they also recognize the honor and prestige associated with representing one's country at the Winter Games. Several NHL franchises have multiple players competing in Italy, showcasing the truly international nature of professional hockey.

NHL Network will provide comprehensive coverage of the Olympic hockey tournament with a special program titled "NHL Tonight: Milano Cortina 2026," which debuts on February 10. The show will feature on-site analysis, player interviews, and highlights from the Games. When the NHL season resumes on February 25, teams will face compressed schedules as they push toward the playoffs, making every remaining game crucial in the race for playoff positioning and home-ice advantage.