Nathan MacKinnon speaks out on Olympics hockey rink saga days after NHL ultimatum

Construction delays and measurement concerns have cast doubt on the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic hockey venue. The ice surface, required initially to meet NHL dimensions under an agreement among the NHL, NHLPA, IOC, and IIHF, has been found to be more than 3 feet shorter than standard.

Despite the violation of specifications, the IIHF has approved the modified 196.85-by-85.3-foot rink, prompting questions across the hockey community.

Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon, who has been named to Canada’s Olympic roster, told The Athletic that players had known about the change for months.

"If you have a foot less space, it can be a big difference,” MacKinnon said about the rink size. "If you get a foot closer in the slot, I think that could be a big difference. But it’s the same for everybody. It’ll change things, but who cares?"

The NHL, however, has expressed concern over both the rink size and the slow construction progress. Team Canada assistant coach Pete DeBoer discussed the issue on Sportsnet's Real Kyper and Bourne this week.

"The ice surface, it looks like it's going to be smaller than NHL rink standard by probably 3 or 4 feet," DeBoer said. "I don't understand how that happened."

Organizers have pushed test events back to January, heightening scrutiny as the clock ticks toward the February tournament.

NHL DC Bill Daly comments on Olympic rink delay

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly gave a clear update on the league’s view of the 2026 Olympic situation. Daly said NHL players will attend only if the main rink in Milan is completed on time.

"Depends on the percent you want to place on the possibility the rink doesn’t get completed," Daly said, via Matt Larkin on X. "If there’s no rink completed, there’s no NHL players going to the Olympics."

Delays at the Santagiulia Arena have forced the cancellation of a test event. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman raised similar issues in November, and the NHL sent its own inspectors to Italy to check progress and ice quality.

The league still hopes to send players, but only if the arena meets NHL standards.