NHL could play more games in Europe in future seasons
PRAGUE — The NHL could bring additional games to Europe in the future and enjoy some later in the time, NHL Deputy Commissioner Invoice Daly explained Friday.
The Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks opened the NHL frequent season at O2 Arena in Prague on Friday as component of the 2022 NHL Worldwide Series. They Predators concluded a sweep with a 3-2 get right here Saturday.
These were the very first normal-time game titles the NHL has held outside North The usa considering that 2019, mainly because the League was not able to enjoy overseas in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re thrilled to be back, and in particular, we’re thrilled to be back again in Prague,” Daly claimed. “It truly is this sort of a beautiful town with excellent and heat persons. We like coming below.”
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The Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets will participate in at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 4-5 as element of the 2022 NHL World Sequence. These will be the 37th and 38th game titles the NHL has held exterior North The usa considering the fact that 1997.
NHL standard-year video games abroad constantly took area in September or Oct until 2017, when the League played in Europe in November for the initially time. The League returned to Europe in November in 2018 and 2019.
Daly mentioned he thinks the League will do one thing comparable in the quick time period, but that could improve afterwards.
“Our clubs are protecting of their frequent seasons, and we have to get the job done with them and be collaborative with them,” Daly stated. “But I could see us growing that window, bringing a lot more games to Europe perhaps later in the year.”
The NHL plans to continue to keep showcasing teams in Europe rather than base them right here.
“I you should not anticipate that any time in the small expression that we would be bringing teams below forever or owning groups in Europe,” Daly reported. “But we feel that these occasions have assisted us link improved with our lovers in Europe and enable them to practical experience players that these international locations make. It really is been extremely positive for us, for our brand and for our business.”
Questioned about the potential of games in the Czech Republic, Daly claimed no selections have been built about online games in Europe upcoming time. He praised O2 Arena and Prague.
“It is really an NHL-dimension arena,” Daly mentioned. “There’s a huge passion for the sport in Prague and in Czechia frequently, which will make it a really interesting selection for us heading forward. So I unquestionably count on that we are going to continue on to convey video games to Prague.”
Daly explained the Entire world Cup of Hockey continues to be a get the job done in development. The NHL met Friday with Alois Hadamczik, the new president of the Czech Ice Hockey Association, and will satisfy with other events about the Entire world Cup more than the subsequent couple of days.
“It is really continue to our intention to goal for a tournament in February of ’24,” Daly mentioned. “We are functioning by means of the facts of what that seems to be like.”
The NHL expects to have 8 international locations in the tournament.
“The dilemma is irrespective of whether we can stage a qualifying event to get paid the past places, regardless of whether that is two spots or 3 spots,” Daly said. “That’s 1 of the issues that we’re debating as part of the information.”
Russia would not be section of the tournament these days because of to the war in Ukraine. The NHL will go on to observe the condition.
“We fully grasp that there is a sure distress, and we share that distress, with together with the Russian crew at this time,” Daly claimed.