The Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils will open the regular season with a Global Series game in Prague, Czechia. Being in the global series raised a unique opportunity for the Sabres, who will now play a preseason game against the Red Bull Munich team in Germany's DEL on September 27th.
The NHL has a long history of international games, but in recent years has really leaned back into it with the Global Series, and it has produced fantastic games. The Edmonton Oilers were able to participate in 2018 when they faced off against the Cologne Sharks in Germany - Leon Draisaitl's hometown team. The Oilers narrowly squeaked out a 4-3 overtime win, but today's roster might dominate a DEL team. Now that it's been a while, perhaps the NHL considers sending over Draisaitl and the Oilers to Europe again next year.
Not many players this year have a connection to the host nation of Czechia - only Ondrej Palat and Tomas Nosek are nationals. Sabres forward JJ Peterka is also born in Germany. Last season, the Leafs were sent to Sweden, and star forward William Nylander put on a show in his home country. It seems that any of the Global Series games always produced incredible theatre.
The Oilers will open their preseason on September 22nd at home against the Winnipeg Jets. The Oilers will have a long preseason, playing 8 games over 2 and a half weeks before their regular season opener on October 9th against the Jets at home. Gear up Oilers fans, the regular season is coming soon!
Source: NHL PR on X
POLL | ||
AOUT 6 | 97 ANSWERS NHL announces preseason international game against German team Do you think the Oilers should be involved in the next Global Series? | ||
Yes | 55 | 56.7 % |
No | 31 | 32 % |
See Results | 11 | 11.3 % |
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