The Washington Capitals should host the 2027 All Star Game at Capital One Arena or wherever they play their home games in. We'll talk about the current home in this exercise who has yet to host an NHL game of this marquee but did host the 2018 and 1998 Stanley Cup Finals.
Showcasing the arena both times was landmarks for a franchise that's turning 50 next season and is techically 50 years old now. The NHL annouced that the 2026 All Star Game will be held in Long Island, New York at the Islanders new arena.
This 1982 All Star Game was hosted by Washington but the game was technically played in Landover, Maryland at the old Capital Centre. Why hasn't MCI/Verizon Center/or Capital One Arena hosted an event in so long is a crazy thought.
The area is metro acessable for fans across the DMV from Maryland to Virginia or whatever corner of DC you are from. The sport of hockey around here has only grown among the youth thanks to the Ovechkin effect and Alex Ovechkin sadly is not getting any younger as he turns 39 this September. Who knows if he'll even play in this but he could always coach or host this special occession if he already catches Wayne Gretzky by that point.
Tom Wilson got to represent his hometown of Toronto this year. Imagine if by 2027 we see someone around this league get to represent their DMV area in this game or even the All Star Skills competition. Of course if there's a new arena why not split each one like Leonsis promised. He did say the Mystics and other events and concerts would take place if that new arena move were to happen.
But either way, we as an area are due for an All Star Game.