Swiss in the NHL | October 4, 2024

The NHL season begins on Friday with the game in Prague between the Buffalo Sabers and the New Jersey Devils. A few facts about it.

Roman Josi (left) starts his eighth season as captain of the Nashville Predators. Photos: Keystone

Defender Roman Josi is one of those rare players who make a team better with their presence alone. The 34-year-old from Bern is starting his eighth season as captain of the Nashville Predators. Overall, it is his 14th in the NHL. Although Josi has played exactly 1,000 games in the best league in the world, he is not yet officially part of the NHL’s 1,000 club, as only the qualifying games are taken into account. The winner of the Norris Trophy from 2020 is still 91 games away from the magical mark. So he can’t reach it until the 2025/26 season at the earliest; the contract with Nashville runs until 2027.

More set Swiss

In addition to Roman Josi, eight other Swiss are included in their teams. Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Jonas Siegenthaler play for the New Jersey Devils. Like Roman Josi, Nino Niederreiter is entering his 14th season in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets. Pius Suter and Philipp Kuraschew are in the final year of their contracts with the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks, respectively. Kevin Fiala, who became a father for the first time in May, produced 145 points (52 goals) in his first two years with Los Angeles, more than anyone else with the Kings during this period in the regular season. A new chapter begins for Janis Moser after the trade from the Utah Hockey Club (previously Arizona Coyotes) to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Hopeful Swiss

Four more Swiss can hope to play in the NHL next season. Goaltender Akira Schmid was traded from the New Jersey Devils to the Vegas Golden Knights and received a one-way, two-year contract. However, he is currently only number 3 behind Adin Hill and Ilja Samsonow, which is why he will start the season in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. Lian Bichsel impresses in preparation for the Dallas Stars, but the competition is fierce. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old defender is likely to make his NHL debut. Goaltender Connor Hughes (Montreal Canadiens) and defenseman Rodwin Dionico (Anaheim Ducks) fell victim to a cut early on and had to go to the AHL farm teams Laval Rockets and San Diego Gulls, with whom they normally stay.

Nashville Predators

Despite a period of upheaval, the Nashville Predators made it to the playoffs last season, where they lost in the first round to the Vancouver Canucks (2:4). This time the team from Tennessee State is rated significantly higher. The Predators are considered transfer winners after signing defender Brady Skjei and forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. The latter was named playoff MVP in the Vegas Golden Knights’ 2023 Stanley Cup triumph. Roman Josi speaks of enormous reinforcements. “The expectations are definitely higher.”

New Jersey Devils

After reaching the quarterfinals in 2023, the New Jersey Devils wanted to take the next step in this year’s playoffs, but they didn’t even reach it. That was also due to a lot of injuries. Among those affected was the Swiss trio Hischier, Meier and Siegenthaler, who missed a total of 59 games. Meier had to undergo shoulder surgery after the season, which is why he missed the World Cup in Prague. But that doesn’t change the fact that he, like Siegenthaler, fell below expectations in the last NHL qualification.

On Friday, the New Jersey Devils with Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Jonas Siegenthaler, three Swiss, will be on the ice in the season opener against the Buffalo Sabers – in Prague.

Now everything should be better in New Jersey, the squad seems to be broader. The Devils are particularly hoping for a lot from Swedish goalie Jacob Markström, who was brought in from the Calgary Flames. The head coach is also new, Sheldon Keefe has replaced Lindy Ruff. Keefe previously worked for the Toronto Maple Leafs for almost five seasons, leading them to the playoffs every time. Captain Hischier believes the team can do a lot if everyone stayed healthy and pulled together.

Top favorites

With the exception of the Chicago Blackhawks, the other teams with Swiss players are expected to make the playoffs. But there are others among the top favorites, especially the defeated finalist Edmonton Oilers with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. The defending champion Florida Panthers are also expected again. The Dallas Stars are also rated very high, and the Devils appear just as high in the forecasts.

Modus

In the regular season, all 32 teams play 82 games each. It ends on April 17, 2025. Eight teams each from the Eastern and Western Conferences will reach the playoffs. Twelve spots will be awarded to the top three teams in the four divisions, plus two wildcard teams per conference.