The NHL is set to bring its excitement to Europe once again, with the Hurricanes and Kraken facing off in Helsinki, Finland, on November 12 and 14 as part of the 2026 Global Series. This announcement marks a thrilling addition to the league's European schedule, which also includes a December showdown between the Blackhawks and Senators in Düsseldorf, Germany.
For both Carolina and Seattle, these games represent their debut in the Global Series. The Kraken have yet to play a regular-season game outside North America since joining the league five seasons ago. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are making their first overseas trip since the 2010-11 season opener against the Wild, also held in Helsinki.
While neither team boasts a roster brimming with Finnish stars like the Dallas Stars' famed Finnish contingent, there's still plenty of homegrown talent to watch. Carolina's Sebastian Aho, a standout center, will be a key player to follow, joined by fellow Finn Jesperi Kotkaniemi. On the Kraken side, Finnish forwards Kaapo Kakko, Jani Nyman, and Eeli Tolvanen add to the intrigue, though Tolvanen's future with the team is uncertain as he approaches free agency.
Finland remains a popular destination for the NHL, thanks to its strong hockey tradition. The country consistently ranks high in international play and contributes significantly to the NHL's player pool, accounting for around 5% of active players.
The games in Helsinki will be held at Veikkaus Arena, marking the league's return to the venue since 2018. The arena, previously known as Hartwall Arena, has recently reopened after being closed due to ownership issues related to geopolitical tensions. Prior Global Series events in Finland took place at Nokia Arena in Tampere, but the return to Helsinki promises a fresh chapter in the NHL's European journey.