© Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI

PRAGUE — The NHL will continue expanding its international footprint after playing a preseason game in Germany, two regular-season games in Czechia and two regular-season games in Finland this season.

Bill Daly, the NHL deputy commissioner, suggested during the European Player Media Tour on Wednesday that the league’s current rotation of games and team development in Finland, Sweden, and Czechia might soon change. He indicated they have a list of other locations they’re considering. “Don’t get too comfortable with our current rotation, as I believe it will likely change in the near future,” he said.

Once this season concludes, the NHL will have hosted 20 regular-season games in Europe since 2017: nine taking place in Sweden (eight in Stockholm and one in Gothenburg), six in Finland (four in Tampere and two in Helsinki), and five in Czechia (all in Prague).

During that period, it will have participated in 13 preseason games across Europe, Asia, and Australia. This includes three games in Switzerland (two in Bern and one in Lausanne) and three in Germany (one each in Munich, Berlin, and Cologne).

The League has not held a regular-season game in Switzerland yet, but it did play one in Germany in 2011. The last time it played two regular-season games in London was in 2007, and it hasn’t returned since.

Daly expressed his belief that everyone likely has their own ideas about priority markets. He stated his desire, as well as that of the players and NHL Players’ Association, to return to London for a game. He also identified Germany and Switzerland as potential locations for regular season games in the near future.

Daly stated his anticipation for the NHL to revisit Australia for preseason matches. He noted that the League first journeyed to the Southern Hemisphere when the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings participated in two preseason matches at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on a temporary ice sheet, from September 23-24, 2023.

Daly expressed his belief that the experience was a positive one. “You initiate with the players and teams, and their experiences should be positive. Of course, playing two preseason games is a long journey, but the feedback we received from both clubs was encouraging. This makes it easier to persuade the following two clubs that initiating in Australia would be beneficial,” he said.

I believe we have successfully achieved all our business expectations from this venture. I consider it to be a strong sports market, particularly for North American sports. I feel that the fans identify themselves as supporters of North American sports, and it is a financially and economically mature market.

If the clubs continue to have a positive experience, then it remains logical for us to use it as a strategy to grow our business.

When questioned about the possibility of the NHL returning to Melbourne or venturing to a city like Sydney, Daly responded, “That’s a valid query. I don’t think we’ve reached the stage of determining that yet.”

The issue in Australia is the quality of ice suitable for NHL.

Daly stated, “Producing quality ice at Rod Laver Arena posed some challenges. It’s crucial that we get it right as we don’t want to jeopardize players’ safety, especially during a preseason game. Before we decide to return, we must ensure that we can successfully create quality ice.”

The Buffalo Sabres will face off against EHC Red Bull Munchen in a preseason game this season. The match, part of the 2024 NHL Global Series Challenge Germany sponsored by Fastenal, will be the inaugural event at the new SAP Garden in Munich, Germany, on September 27.

The 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia, sponsored by Fastenal, will feature two regular-season games between the Sabres and the New Jersey Devils. These games will take place at the O2 Arena in Prague on Oct. 4-5.

Finally, the 2024 NHL Global Series Finland presented by Fastenal will feature two regular-season games between the Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers. The games will be held at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1-2.

Dallas just made the Western Conference Final for the second straight season. Florida just won the Stanley Cup after going to the Stanley Cup Final in 2022-23. The game will feature several players from Finland, most notably Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, a Tampere native.

“Daly said, “The game is expected to be a fierce competition between two of the best teams in the League, both heavily featuring Finnish players. It’s bound to be compelling.”

NHL players are also slated to take part in the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. However, discussions are still ongoing between the League, the International Olympic Committee, the NHL Players’ Association, and the International Ice Hockey Federation.

“From what I understand, we’re completely on schedule with the venue,” stated Daly. “The expectation was to complete the venue by October 2025 and hold a test tournament in December 2025, which I believe is crucial. The building is in good condition. We’re yet to finalize everything with the IOC, NHLPA, and the IIHF. The process is ongoing, but I don’t foresee any problems.”