The NHL’s plan to stage regular-season games in Germany for the first time in 15 years is drawing criticism from the country’s top professional league. The German Ice Hockey League says it is upset with how the schedule was set and is calling for better coordination.
German league managing director Gernot Tripcke says the NHL schedules the games without consulting the league and its clubs about the dates. He argues that the two sides should work together more closely to ensure the events support the sport in Germany rather than creating friction between leagues.
While both outlets report the same basic dispute, they emphasize different aspects: one foregrounds the German league’s reaction, while the other frames it within the broader NHL milestone of returning to Germany after a long absence. The core issue described across sources remains the lack of prior discussion over timing and the request for a joint approach going forward.
