Former NHL Players Making Strong Impacts Across European Leagues in 2026-27 Season

The NHL represents the pinnacle of professional hockey, with a talent pool that far exceeds what many fans recognize. For players who struggle to establish themselves at the highest level, Europe often provides a fresh opportunity to showcase their skills and find renewed success.

Several former NHL players have already made their mark in European leagues during the early stages of the 2026-27 season, demonstrating that the talent drain from North America continues to strengthen overseas competitions.

Today, we examine former NHL players excelling in European leagues during the opening stretch of the 2026-27 campaign.

KHL

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) remains the most frequent destination for NHL players seeking opportunities abroad. Despite questions about its current competitiveness relative to its peak years, the KHL continues to attract experienced professionals and talented Russian players.

Josh Leivo has emerged as a key figure in the KHL. The 33-year-old veteran appeared in parts of 10 NHL seasons, accumulating 42 goals and 93 points across 265 games. Since joining the KHL in 2023, Leivo has recorded 96 goals and 196 points in 181 games.

Leivo captured the KHL scoring title and MVP award in 2024-25, and he’s maintaining that momentum with six goals and 13 points in his first 17 games this season.

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Justin Bailey is thriving in his inaugural Russian campaign. The 31-year-old leads the KHL in both goals (12) and points (21) through 19 games. Bailey appeared in parts of eight NHL seasons, recording 10 goals and 23 points in 141 games.

Alexander Radulov continues to perform at a high level as a 40-year-old in Russia, contributing eight goals and 16 points in 17 games. His extensive NHL background includes successful tenures with the Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars.

Radulov’s KHL achievements include four regular-season MVP awards, three Gagarin Cup championships, and three scoring titles.

Daniel Sprong is also off to a strong start in his second KHL season, posting eight goals and 10 points in 14 games. Sprong previously appeared in parts of nine NHL seasons.

SHL

The Swedish Hockey League (SHL) has evolved beyond a purely developmental circuit. An increasing number of former NHL players, both Swedish and international, are choosing Sweden as their destination.

Graeme Clarke exemplifies this trend. Selected by the New Jersey Devils in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft, Clarke played just three NHL games but excelled in the AHL during the same period. In his rookie SHL season with Frolunda, Clarke has recorded five goals and 13 points in 14 games.

Pavol Regenda battled for opportunities with the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks without securing a permanent NHL roster spot. After playing 24 games with the Sharks last season (recording nine goals and 10 points), he’s started his Swedish career strongly with three goals and 11 points in 11 games.

Former Swedish NHL players Oscar Lindberg, Par Lindholm, and Jakob Silfverberg all rank among the SHL’s top-20 scorers this season.

Liiga

Finland’s top-tier Liiga features fewer former NHL players than the KHL and SHL, but remains a competitive option for veteran professionals.

Former NHL defenseman Andrej Sustr is off to an impressive start. In 18 games, the 35-year-old has recorded a league-leading 16 assists. The 6-foot-7 defenseman previously appeared in 362 NHL games, primarily with the Tampa Bay Lightning. His best NHL season came in 2015-16 when he played 77 games, scoring four goals and 21 points.

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Iro Pakarinen spent parts of seven NHL seasons, appearing in 134 games while scoring 10 goals and 23 points. His last NHL action came during the 2017-18 season with the Edmonton Oilers.

After departing the NHL for Europe, Pakarinen spent one season in the KHL before returning to Finland. He’s now in his seventh consecutive season in the country, including five with HIFK. Currently on pace for career-high production, he’s contributed seven goals and 15 points in 16 games this season.

National League

Switzerland’s National League (NL) hosts more former NHL players than Finland’s Liiga. The league features numerous skilled veterans including Roby Jarventie, Dennis Malgin, Sven Andrighetto, Jimmy Vesey, Jeff Skinner, and Filip Zadina.

Jarventie leads the NL in scoring with 10 goals and 23 points in 16 games. Still just 24 years old, Jarventie remains under contract with the Edmonton Oilers despite playing only three NHL games last season, during which he recorded 23 goals and 47 points in the AHL.

Malgin is a skilled winger whose NHL career was limited by his stature. Possessing exceptional skating ability, soft hands, and excellent playmaking vision, Malgin has compiled five goals and 22 points in 16 games this season. His European success includes a Champions Hockey League championship and two NL titles.

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Andrighetto shares similarities with Malgin in terms of size and playing style. At 5-foot-10, he’s a skilled playmaker who’s started the season with four goals and 18 points. As Malgin’s teammate, the duo has formed a formidable offensive combination in Switzerland. His extensive resume includes a Champions Hockey League title and MVP award, along with two Swiss league championships.

Jeff Skinner brings the most NHL experience among the players mentioned. With 1,110 NHL games, 379 goals, and 717 points, the 34-year-old began his European career this season after being unable to secure an NHL contract. He’s contributed eight goals and 13 points in 13 games.

Czech Extraliga

Most former NHL players in the Czech Extraliga are Czech natives. While the league may not feature as many international players as other European circuits, it remains highly competitive.

David Kampf and Ondrej Kase represent notable NHL alumni currently playing in the Czech Extraliga. Both were reliable bottom-six contributors, particularly during their time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kase’s NHL career was shortened by multiple head injuries that limited his potential impact.

Despite these challenges, Kase has been productive since returning to Czechia. Playing alongside Kampf at Litvinov HC, he’s scored four goals and 15 points in 15 games.

Kampf played 576 NHL games over nine seasons but struggled to maintain consistent employment last year. Following a contract termination with the Maple Leafs, he briefly joined the Vancouver Canucks, was traded to the Washington Capitals at the deadline, and was subsequently dealt to the Buffalo Sabres in the off-season.

Now 31, Kampf leads his team in scoring with six goals and 11 points through 15 games.

David Tomasek returned to the Czech Extraliga after an unsuccessful one-year NHL stint with the Edmonton Oilers. He currently ranks second in league scoring, trailing only Roman Cervenka, who spent the 2012-13 season with the Calgary Flames.

Lukas Sedlak, another non-Czech player who reached the NHL, started the season with four goals and nine points in 10 games before sustaining an injury. Sedlak appeared in 192 career NHL games.

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