The New Jersey Devils were picked by the NHL as one of the teams to represent the league in Europe. This shows this isn’t your grandfather’s Devils team.
The New Jersey Devils have been chosen to represent the NHL. Did you think you’d ever hear those words uttered? Well, it’s a reality, as the Devils have been chosen to play the Edmonton Oilers in Sweden.
This sends a clear message to this Devils fanbase, the NHL is willing to get behind a team built like this.
Bettman also confirmed the games in Sweden (NJ-Edm) and Finland (Wpg-Fla) for next season as reported earlier today
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 27, 2018
Think about this, the NHL can have any team it wants to go to Europe. In the past, they haven’t sent teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, possibly because of the array of North Americans on the team, but they will very much send teams with prevalent Europeans.
Right now, that describes the New Jersey Devils. Nico Hischier is the future of the franchise, and owns the distinction of the first player from Switzerland to be drafted first overall.
Jesper Bratt was drafted much later in the draft, but looks like he’s got a long career ahead of him. He will be playing in front of his home county when the Devils head to Sweden.
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Marcus Johansson is another Swede that will go back to his home country with the Devils next season. This shows why the NHL tapped the Devils as one of the teams to play in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Pavel Zacha hails from the Czech Republic and will likely find a role on this team. Sami Vatanen finds his stomping grounds in Finland, and Mirco Mueller calls Switzerland home.
Clearly, there is a ton of European influence on this team. That’s without the possibility of Jesper Boqvist (Sweden) and Fabian Zetterlund (also Sweden) making the team next season.
Did I mention there will also be an exhibition game in Switzerland? Hischier gets to play in front of his home country, which can propel him to superstardom (hopefully).
The Devils are built to be a team to watch for years to come. They play an exciting game. They have young, budding stars. There is a legitimate superstar in Taylor Hall. Cory Schneider can win games by himself when he’s at this best. There’s a lot to love about watching this team.
Next year will be fun. Playing the Oilers on foreign soil will be a great experience for all the players.