A dozen German players, games in Stockholm and the “Eternal Ovechkin”. There is everything important for the new NHL season.
A dozen German players, games in Stockholm and the “Eternal Ovechkin”. There is everything important for the new season of the North American ice hockey profile NHL.
When does it start?
The regular season starts on October 7, 2025 and runs until April 16, 2026. Shortly afterwards they start Playoffs. It is not until the end of June Stanley Cup-S winner. The exact dates are not yet known.
The defending champion denies the opening game on October 7th Florida Panthers Against the Chicago Blackhawks.
How is the mode?
It’s a little complicated. A total of 32 teams are there – Seven from Canada, 25 from the USA. The clubs are in one Eastern and one Western Conference divided. And they are in Divisions divided. In the east there are Atlantic and the Metropolitan Divison, in the west the Central and Pacific Divison. Each of the four divisions consists of eight teams.
Although the teams also play against teams from the other conference, there are separate tables. The top three teams of each division qualify for the playoffs, and there are two each Wildcards. In the end, each conference sends eight teams into the playoffs. They will be in “Best-of-Seven”-Modus played.
There the teams only determine the conference winner, which then around the Stanley Cup plays.
Are there any special games?
Yes, two games of the main round are played in Europe. On November 14th and 16th, the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins against each other.
In addition, two outdoor games are scheduled. The traditional NHL Winter Classic on January 2, 2026 between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers in Miami and also on February 1, 2026 the game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins in Tampa.
A NHL All-Star Game there will not be. This is because the NHL goes into a break from February 6th to 24th because of the Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. For the first time since the 2014 winter games of Sochi, NHL professionals can also appear at the Olympics.
Which German professionals are there?
Twelve German players are currently in the squads of the teams. Leon Draisaitl gets from the Edmonton Oilers Support from David Lewandowski and Josh Samanski. Maksymilian Szuber, Julian Lutz and JJ Peterska run for Utah Mammoth on, Moritz Seider plays for them Detroit Red Wingsand Tim Stützle laced up for them Ottawa Senators the boots. Nico Sturm is to the Minnesota Wild changed, and Philipp Grubauer continues to guard the gate of the Seatlle octopus. Wojciech Stachowiak are also at Tampa Bay Lightning and Lukas Reichel with the Chicago Blackhawks included.
However, one or the other player could still fly out of the squad and land in his club’s farm team. Draisaitl, Peterka, Seider, Stützle, Sturm, Grubauer and Reichel have their place.
And there is also a German trainer: Marco Sturm is with the Boston Bruins in the gang.
Has been playing for Ottawa Senators since 2020: Tim Stützle
Who are the favorites on the Stanley Cup?
The first thing to mention is the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, which contested the two latest final series – each with the better end for the Panthers.
The bookmakers are also very popular with the Carolina Hurricans. Outsider chances will also be the Dallas starsthe Vegas Golden Nightsthe Colorado avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning granted.
What are the league’s top stars?
The world’s best ice hockey player is currently the Canadian Connor McDavid. He forms a congenial duo at the Edmonton Oilers with Leon Draisaitl – probably the strongest in the NHL. Both have cleared numerous records in recent years.
Nathan Mackinnon from the Colorado Avalanche also has world-class format. He led the team to the Stanley Cup victory in 2022. Nikita Kutscherow recently delivered outstanding services for Tampa Bay Lightning.
Alex Ovechkin is also there again. The 40-year-old goes into his 21st NHL season and has been a record goal of the league since April 2025. He exceeded Wayne Gretzky’s 894 hits, which has long been unreachable. The Russian runs for the Washington Capitals on.
Connor McDavid (right) from the Edmonton Oilers.
What else is new?
The team from Salt Lake Citythe Utah hockey clubin which the German international Maksymilian Szuber also plays, is called Utah Mammoth from the new season.
Where can German fans see the games?
For example at “Sky”. The payment channel broadcasts around 300 games per season and has it A first right to top games. Everything else is available “Nhl.tv“To see – and that is also subject to paid StreamingService “dazn”. The games transferred by “Sky” live are only available at “NHL.TV” after the end of the game Re-live. Translations in Free TV there will be no longer.