NHL Eyes Four-Country All-Star Format With World Team Twist

The NHL is looking at a new All-Star setup that would bring four countries into the mix and add a world team to the event. That kind of format would give the league a cleaner way to sell national rivalry without pretending the old exhibition script still has much juice. It also signals that the league wants something that feels more like a showcase than a mandatory midseason obligation. If this gets traction, it could change how the NHL packages its stars to the public.