Global push from the NHL gains steam, and Europe is clearly listening
Photo credit: NHL
The NHL is turning the page to a bigger stage, chasing fresh fans, global series momentum, and real growth outside North America.
You could feel a shift on Thursday, with league voices echoing one message. Growth beyond Montreal and New York is no longer a side project.
Gary Bettman and Bill Daly have telegraphed this path for years, and now the volume is up. International media deals and marquee events are the new heartbeat.
The clearest proof sits in Stockholm, where Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators headline. Two regular season games abroad say plenty without a press release.
Since 1997, the league has staged dozens of overseas contests, and the trend keeps climbing. This season's entries will mark the 47th and 48th such games.
It is not just about a weekend postcard, it is about planting roots. Consistent returns to Europe create rhythm, not one-off spectacles for tourists.
NHL Global Series, European markets, and the next growth wave
There is also timing, with the Olympics on the horizon and star power ready. If the stage is set properly, the spotlight follows naturally.
London remains a dream stop, and Germany feels like a sleeping giant. France, Denmark, and Norway quietly wait in the on-deck circle.
I love that the league is thinking beyond ticket stubs and merch stands. Local broadcasts and digital rights matter as much as packed arenas.
Stockholm's Avicii Arena, fresh off renovations, gives this plan a polished backdrop. When buildings shine, casual fans take a second look and usually stay.
The Penguins bring Sidney Crosby's enduring magnetism, and that never hurts. The Predators deliver pace, personality, and a brand that travels surprisingly well.
Fans in Europe do not just want cameos, they want consistency. Annual games, clinics, and youth partnerships make the commitment real.
Numbers back the strategy, even if growth is incremental and steady. Overseas games keep pulling strong gates, and broadcast windows attract curious viewers.
I will be honest, I once doubted the repeatability of these trips. Now the calendar feels incomplete without at least one stop abroad.
There is zero appetite for adding new franchises right now, and that is fine. Thirty two teams is a solid canvas, the world can be the frame.
If the NHL keeps stacking meaningful events, everything else follows naturally. Players buy in, sponsors engage, and fans build traditions of their own.
The message from Thursday sounded clear enough to cross oceans. Keep sending real games, keep meeting fans where they already skate.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 16 | 1 ANSWERS Global push from the NHL gains steam, and Europe is clearly listening Which global push excites you more, Pittsburgh Penguins versus Nashville Predators in Stockholm, or expanding future stops? | ||
