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It’s not hard to find the global leader in hockey as all roads lead to the mighty NHL. For a long time, stars of the league — who have primarily been Canadian and American — have been household names across North America. Things are now changing as a new wave of European talent is making the league more global than ever before. 

European stars like Leon Draisaitl and David Pastrňák are changing the business of the NHL with an increasingly global fanbase, influencing the game in all sorts of ways, including everything from culture and strategy to how money flows through the sport. But just how far does that influence reach?

The rise of European talent

It’s not unfair to say that European players weren’t always taken too seriously in the NHL. For decades, only a handful of standout stars made the significant step up to the NHL from the European leagues, but now times have changed. Sweden, Finland, Russia, Czechia, and Switzerland have all been home to players who have headed to the NHL over the last 30 years. This European influence has become one of the league’s defining characteristics.

European prospects used to be a money pit for NHL teams as they had to spend plenty of cash to scout the top European talent. This doesn’t include the time that had to go into understanding the unique style of the European leagues. Major developments in technology, as well as the huge growth of the sport in Europe, have made things easier than ever.

Every NHL team now features European talent, with stars like Victor Hedman and Mikko Rantanen becoming the cornerstones of their franchises, and Russia’s Alex Ovechkin becoming one of the league’s highest-paid players. So, what does all this mean? It has resulted in a more diverse, multicultural league blending playing styles and philosophies from both sides of the Atlantic.

The business of change

If you think it’s just on the ice that the European influence has been felt in the NHL, then think again! The betting industry has experienced a huge shift into international markets such as Russia, Sweden and Finland as these countries now have better representation in the NHL. Fans in these countries are switching on to the opportunities available to add even more fun to their sport of choice with their passion and knowledge of their countrymen helping them beat the odds.

In Canada and the US as well, sports betting has become increasingly mainstream. In terms of the NHL, many of the league’s international stars are now a focal point for sportsbooks. With fans having more data than ever, they’re more equipped to tap into different markets looking to find an edge.

The NHL is already paying attention to the opportunities associated with the industry, as it has partnered with sportsbooks both at home and internationally, reflecting the truly global appeal of the league.

Style of play

Most hockey fans are primarily concerned with what happens on the ice and the European influence is there for all to see as well. European players have brought a level of finesse with them in stark contrast to the physical style of many North American players. This is exactly what happened when continental stars joined the English soccer game. Now the mixture of skill, guile, and physicality has made the English Premier League the most lucrative sports leagues in the world, but the NHL isn’t too far behind.

Coaches have been quick to adapt to the European style of play with a more fluid, possession-based game being the favored tactic of many NHL teams. Skill and speed are what win hockey matches these days rather than simple brute force.

Young NHL fans and budding stars are now exposed to a far wider range of styles than ever before. These future stars are being influenced by coaching techniques brought directly from Europe that emphasize puck control and creativity to break down defenses.

What’s next for the NHL?

It seems the league is aiming for an increasingly international influence at its heart. More and more European players are making the jump to the league and the NHL’s global appeal is expected to continue to grow. While there’s no telling for sure how far this evolution will go, one thing is for sure — the game is now more diverse and globalized for fans to enjoy.