This Week in the NHL: 2026 World Juniors begin
With 32 teams, games every night and countless narratives emerging, the NHL season can make one’s head spin, and it’s easy to miss out on the weekly storylines. Not to worry; every Monday from October to April, I’ll map out the major events, games, plotlines and milestones on tap for the next seven days.
So what’s happening the week of Dec. 22-28?
Dec. 24-26: NHL goes dark for holiday break
No games. No scheduled practices. Dressing rooms are closed. Everyone gets a little breather for some holiday time.
Dec. 26: World Junior championship begins
Also known as the under-20 worlds, the WJC gets underway in Minnesota beginning Boxing Day Friday, featuring dozens of drafted NHL prospects and many 2026 Draft hopefuls. Team USA will attempt a three-peat, but Canada and Sweden might be the top two favorites this year based on the teams they’re bringing. Make sure you follow Steven Ellis for the best WJC coverage in the biz. He’s published a boatload of preview content teeing up the tourney already, and he’ll be present in Minnesota for blow-by-blow accounts of all the action.
Dec. 28: NHL holiday roster freeze ends
Beginning Dec. 28 at 12:01 a.m. local time, trades, waivers and all forms of roster movement are back in play league-wide.
Patrick Kane’s 500th goal
The future Hall of Famer opens the week two away from 500 for his career, with his Detroit Red Wings playing three times. Kane will soak in that milestone when it comes but has a bigger one on the mind: passing Mike Modano for the most points among U.S.-born players. Kane needs eight more to do so.