Liiga vs NHL

How would you compare/contrast Liiga and NHL?

Liiga is the top level of hockey in Finnish hockey. The NHL is both the top league in North America and is unanimously the top level in the world. Head to head, the NHL is stronger overall, but you’d likely see a competitive match if you put a top Liiga club on the ice against an NHL club in exhibition. The bottom lines on Liiga rosters wouldn’t cut it at the NHL level, but the league is still a top 5-10 league in the world. A number of Finnish players who eventually go on to play in the NHL spend some time in Liiga if they are still playing in Europe. On the flip side of this, a number of ex-NHLers have finished out their careers playing in Liiga overseas in Europe.

We've scouted many games in Liiga over the years and understand how it compares/contrasts from the NHL based on our teams scouting over in N America.

Liiga

Liiga is the top ice hockey league in Finland.

NHL

The NHL (National Hockey League) is the top ice hockey league in the world with 32 teams spanning North America.

Location: Finland

Location: North America

Skill Level in Liiga

Liiga is the highest professional hockey league in Finland. Founded in 1975, the league has 15 clubs that span from the South near Helsinki all the way up to the Arctic Circle. It's considered by many to be one of the stronger leagues in Europe.

Skill Level in NHL

The NHL (National Hockey League) is considered the top ice hockey league in the world. The league is currently made up of 32 teams spanning North America in both the United States and Canada.

Player Perspective: Liiga

"Liiga is the perfect league to play in, especially as an import from North America who enjoys the physical play paired with skill. I'd agree that Liiga's caliber is up there with a number of the top leagues in Europe based on my experience also playing in Germany and Austria. The fans hear love their hockey.

Player Perspective: NHL

"Playing in the NHL is just incredible. The level of play, depth of every single roster, and the pace of the game today here is unparalleled. There's a reason it is the best league in the world."

Number of Teams in Liiga: 15

Number of Teams in NHL: 32

Caliber of Players and Imports in Liiga

Skill level of Liiga players is extremely high, with only the best Finnish players moving up to the highest league. For imports, teams expect players in Europe with strong resumes and players from North America with high-end ECHL/AHL experience on their resumes. Some even have NHL games played. This shows the strength of the league.

Caliber of Players and Imports in NHL

The caliber of play you need to play in the NHL is second to none. Each roster is filled with world class players ranging from young players to best in class veterans who've solidified themselves in the world's top league. The best players around the world from North America to Europe all vie to make it to the NHL.