Your Seattle Kraken are officially set to make an international splash early next season, heading all the way to Helsinki, Finland, for the NHL Global Series in November 2026. The league just dropped some massive schedule bombs, and while we're all waiting for the full lineup tomorrow, this news for our boys in blue and green is already huge. Mark your calendars, Emerald City, because our team is taking on the Carolina Hurricanes at Veikkaus Arena on November 12th and 14th!
Our Boys Go Global: Finland Bound!
This is not just some regular road trip, folks, this is a statement! The Kraken getting tapped for the NHL Global Series shows the league is seeing what we already know: our team brings the heat, and the fanbase is legit. Think about it, our squad, out there on the international stage, battling the Hurricanes in front of a global audience. It's an incredible opportunity for the Kraken to show off their grit and skill early in the 2026-27 season. Two games in Finland means an early test, a chance to bond, and a way to kick off what we hope will be a dominant year. We're talking about a significant moment for the franchise, putting Seattle hockey on the world map.Bigger Season, Better Breaks, Less Crunch for the Kraken
Beyond the European adventure, the NHL also dropped some crucial changes to the upcoming season's structure that directly impact our Kraken. Get this: the 2026-27 season is kicking off earlier than most in recent memory, with the league shortening the preseason. That means more intense, meaningful hockey sooner! Even better, they're adding two more regular season games, boosting the schedule to 84 games for the first time since 1994. What does this mean for our boys? Each team will now play every single division rival four times! In past 82-game seasons, there was a rotation where we'd only play some rivals three times. This new format amps up the divisional rivalries, making every game against those Pacific Division foes even more critical. Plus, with the season starting earlier and no condensed scheduling needed for an Olympic stoppage, teams should be in line for some lengthy breaks throughout the year. Remember last year, when some teams were playing 17 games in March? The league wants to avoid that grind, which is great for player health and keeping our Kraken fresh for the long haul. More games, but smarter scheduling. It's a win-win! We're all on pins and needles waiting for the full schedule release tomorrow. With the Global Series already locked in for November and these new league changes, the 2026-27 season is shaping up to be one for the books for our Seattle Kraken. Get ready to cheer on the boys, whether they're in Helsinki or right here at Climate Pledge Arena. Let's go Kraken!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.