The next gathering of the NHL's top talent is still three months away with the 2015 NHL All-Star Game scheduled for January in Columbus. But we've already learned the host of the 2016 NHL All-Star Game will be the Nashville Predators.

The NHL made the announcement from Music City on Friday morning complete with a set of novelty Predators jerseys with a special message (photo above). The 2016 All-Star logo will probably be released sometime next summer.

By the way, I'm really hoping the photographer got a wider photo at some point because the visual of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was like some kind of cosmic gift for all his haters. From sleeve to sleeve, the jersey he's holding up reads 666 — "the mark of the beast." That's good for a laugh.

We first heard about the Preds' desire to host an All-Star Weekend back in June. They were hoping for something within the next five years. Looks like their wish came true sooner than expected.

The last NHL event Nashville hosted was the draft in 2003. The team played its first season in 1998.