NHL Global Series 2023, explained: Why Maple Leafs, Red Wings, Wild, Senators are playing in Sweden

The NHL is saying "hej" from Sweden this week, as four games are set to be played in Stockholm. 

This weekend, Stockholm is hosting the 2023 NHL Global Series, an annual event where the league brings games abroad, expanding into the international audience. It not only is an opportunity for Scandinavian fans to watch some of their favorite teams and players in person, but it is also a chance for the international NHLers to skate in front of their home crowds. 

This year, there are four teams that are playing in Stockholm — the Maple Leafs, the Red Wings, the Wild and the Senators. It's a change from years past when primarily only two teams have gone over to Europe to play in the international series. 

These clubs have prominent Swedish influences on their teams, led by Toronto with William Nylander, John Klingberg, Timothy Liljegren, Calle Jarnkrok and William Lagesson, and Minnesota with Joel Eriksson Ek, Jonas Brodin, Filip Gustavsson and Marcus Johansson. Ottawa has Anton Forsberg and Erik Brannstrom, and Detroit's lone Swede at the NHL level is Lucas Raymond. 

MORE: Watch the 2023 NHL Global Series with Fubo (free trial)

Here is what fans need to know about the 2023 NHL Global Series in Sweden. 

What is the NHL Global Series?

The NHL Global Series is an opportunity for the league to bring its product overseas to other countries. The league has been playing games internationally since the NHL started back in the early 1900s, but the Global Series was only recently added to the slate. This year marks the fifth edition of the international series. 

While primarily playing games in Europe, the NHL did bring games Down Under this preseason. Two exhibition games were played in Melbourne, Australia, marking the first time the NHL was played south of the equator.

In addition to Sweden and Australia, the Global Series has previously taken place in Finland, Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic.   

Where is the 2023 NHL Global Series?

• Venue: Avicii Arena
• City: Stockholm, Sweden

The NHL is returning to Sweden for the 2023 Global Series, as Stockholm is the site for all four games in the event. 

The four contests will all be played at Avicii Arena in Stockholm. It's the first time the venue is hosting NHL Global Series games. 

This marks the third time the Global Series is being played at the venue in Stockholm. The previous games in 2017 and 2019 were played while the site was called the Ericsson Globe. In 2021, the facility was re-named after the death of popular Swedish DJ, Avicii. 

How to watch the 2023 NHL Global Series

• TV Channel: NHL Network (U.S.) | TSN, Sportsnet (Canada)
• Live stream: Fubo, ESPN+ | TSN+, Sportsnet (Canada)

For fans in the United States that are itching for overseas NHL action, the NHL Network will be airing all four of the NHL Global Series games in Sweden. 

In terms of streaming options, viewers in the United States can watch through the NHL Network through Fubo, which offers a free trial. In addition, ESPN+ is another streaming option to watch the international games. 

The Canadian audience will be able to watch the first three games in the Global Series live on TSN, or can stream through TSN+. The final game on Sunday will be available on Sportsnet and Sportnet+. 

NHL Global Series 2023 schedule

Here is the full schedule for the four Global Series games played in Sweden this week. 

NHL Global Series history

This is the fifth year that the NHL has put on an NHL Global Series event.

The league has been playing games at international sites for years, but the games branded underneath the "Global Series" first started in 2017 in Stockholm. 

2017 NHL Global Series

2018 NHL Global Series

2019 NHL Global Series

2022 NHL Global Series