Global Series Buzz: Sweden artist meets Lack, Talbot, other clients

Welcome to the 2018 NHL Global Series. The New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers will face off in the regular-season opener for each team in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Saturday. (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, MSG+, NHL.TV). NHL.com columnist Nicholas J. Cotsonika (with the Oilers) and staff writer Mike G. Morreale (with the Devils) are on hand to provide the sights and highlights throughout the trip.
Here is the latest buzz from the Global Series:

GOTHENBURG, Sweden --Sweden-born artist David Gunnarsson had a rare opportunity to meet seven NHL goalies who happen to be clients at the 2018 NHL Global Series Challenge between the New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers at Scandinavium on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, MSG+, NHL.TV).
Gunnarsson, 42, a painter of goalie masks since the age of 20, has designed and painted masks for Cory Schneider, Keith Kinkaid, Eddie Lack and MacKenzie Blackwood of the Devils, and Cam Talbot, Mikko Koskinen and Shane Starrett of the Oilers.
"I'm a total pop-culture nerd; I love Lego, Star Wars, Batman ... all that stuff," Gunnarsson said. "When I paint the mask, I want to send it to the goalie to see what he says and then move on to the next project."
Gunnarsson paints 10 hours each day and works with about 60 percent of all NHL goalies. He paints masks for all goalies in the Swedish Hockey League.
He said his favorite mask was for Sweden goalie and good friend Stefan Liv for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Liv died in the plane crash that killed 43 of 45 people on board the airline for Lokovotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL on Sept. 7, 2011.
"Now I paint for Stefan's 10-year-old boys (Herman and Harry)," Gunnarsson said. "I painted a picture of their father on both masks, so that's very special for me."
Gunnarsson traveled two hours with his 15-year-old daughter, Ellen, from his home in Savsjo to be at the game.
His biggest challenge may have been the mask designed for New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist for the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. Lundqvist and the Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
"That was a difficult design because you wanted the mask to look old with scratches, so I was afraid I would destroy the painting, but it worked perfectly," he said.
-- Mike G. Morreale

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Third city in Sweden considered

The NHL might play a regular-season game in a third city in Sweden, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Saturday.
The NHL played its first regular-season game in Gothenburg on Saturday when the Edmonton Oilers played the New Jersey Devils at Scandinavium as part of the 2018 NHL Global Series. The NHL played regular-season games in Stockholm in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2017.
"We want to bring the product to different places in Sweden, so there might be another city in Sweden that we might visit in the future," Deputy Commissioner Daly said in a press conference.
Deputy Commissioner Daly said the NHL could make an announcement about future events as early as Nov. 1-2, when the Florida Panthers and the Winnipeg Jets play a pair of regular-season games in Helsinki, Finland.
The NHL played 26 regular-season games outside North America from 1997 to 2011, visiting six countries: the Czech Republic, England, Germany, Japan, Sweden and Finland. Then the Colorado Avalanche and the Ottawa Senators played back-to-back regular-season games before enthusiastic, sellout crowds of 13,396 at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm last year.
"I think what struck us from the time we resumed these games last year is the enthusiasm and the demand in the European marketplaces seemed to be much higher than they were when we left, which means the League has done a better job kind of connecting," Deputy Commissioner Daly said. "Obviously the countries have done a better job of producing players for our teams. There's a lot more connectivity with the NHL and NHL cities and our competition."
Asked if other countries were on the radar for regular-season games, Deputy Commissioner Daly said there were but declined to go into detail.
"We're thrilled with the state of hockey development in Europe, and I think there are a lot of opportunities to bring NHL hockey, NHL hockey players, back to their home markets," Deputy Commissioner Daly said.
Before the Oilers played the Kolner Haie in an exhibition at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner Daly said he would expect the NHL to play another regular-season game in Germany in the near future.
-- Nicholas J. Cotsonika

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Elias believes Zacha will respond

GOTHENBURG, Sweden -- Patrik Elias, the all-time leader in points (1,025), goals (408) and assists (617) in 20 seasons with the Devils, said former teammate and fellow Czech Republic countryman Pavel Zacha needs to shoot more this season.
Zacha, 21, who enters his third full season, will be counted on for secondary scoring this year. Chosen No. 6 in the 2015 NHL Draft, he has 51 points (16 goals, 35 assists) in 140 NHL games. He has scored eight goals in each of the past two seasons.
Elias had a 1-on-1 talk with Zacha this past summer.
"This is a big year for him," Elias said. "I told him over the summer don't even think about last year but start being selfish because he passes too much. When I say selfish, I mean take things upon yourself more. I think he's playing with the right guys now with Marcus Johansson.
"I hope this is the year for him to break through because I watched him a little bit last year and he does things on the ice that most guys on the team can't do; he sees the plays and he makes the play through his feet and I like that."
Elias retired in March 2016 and had his jersey No. 26 retired by the Devils in a pregame ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Feb. 24, 2018.
Elias is at the 2018 NHL Global Series Challenge as an ambassador for the League.
"I think it's great because you look back a few decades at how many European players have been part of the NHL and I they are recognizing it and giving back by coming here and playing one or two games abroad to help expand the fan base," Elias said.
-- Mike G. Morreale

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Bouchard to make NHL debut for Oilers in Sweden

The first NHL game in Gothenburg will be the first of defenseman Evan Bouchard's NHL career.
The Edmonton Oilers and the New Jersey Devils open their season at Scandinavium on Saturday as part of the 2018 NHL Global Series.
"There's some excitement in him, I can already see that," Oilers coach Todd McLellan said. "We want to see him settle down and get the nerves out early and then just play his game. He doesn't have to be a star player tonight. He just has to be Evan Bouchard."
Bouchard, the No. 10 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, was paired with veteran Kris Russell when the Edmonton Oilers practiced Friday. Russell has been dealing with an undisclosed injury, but McLellan said he has passed all the required tests.

Bouchard is 14 days shy of his 19th birthday. He said his parents weren't on the trip but would be watching at home in Oakville, Ontario.
"It would be pretty special for me, not only getting to play my first NHL game but having it be in Sweden," Bouchard said Friday. "You really want to find out [if you're playing]. But if you don't play, it's not the end. You've just got to work to work your way into the lineup. It's a whole process. For now, it's just really enjoying Sweden and being ready for the game whether you're in or not."
Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said Bouchard played beyond his age during the preseason; head up, always looking for the next play before it happens. Bouchard had 87 points (25 goals, 62 assists) in 67 games with London of the Ontario Hockey League last season.
"It can be a little tough to take your first step into the League, but he's got a lot of poise out there," Nugent-Hopkins said. "He already plays like he's been in the League for a few years. So far, that's a good sign. He's just got to make sure that he keeps that confidence and plays like that."

--Nicholas J. Cotsonika

Happy homecoming for Johansson

Marcus Johansson and his daughter Mila were hand-in-hand from the moment the New Jersey Devils forward stepped off the ice after practice at the Scandinavium on Thursday.
Johansson, of Landskrona, Sweden, is taking full advantage of being back in his home country. He saw his wife, Amelia, before taking his 2-year-old daughter on a tour of the Devils locker room. He introduced her to all his teammates and even brought her to his press conference a few minutes later.

Johansson is looking forward to the regular-season opener against the Edmonton Oilers as part of the 2018 NHL Global Series on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, MSG+, NHL.TV).
"It's always been fun coming in here to play. It's always been a loud place to play," Johansson said.
Johansson, who turns 28 on Saturday, spent three seasons in the Swedish Hockey League with Farjestad, scoring 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 87 SHL games. His teams often played in Scandinavium, home to the Frolunda Indians.
"It was always a good rivalry, so hopefully they won boo me on Saturday," Johansson said. "I never thought I'd be able to play an NHL game here, so it's a special feeling. At the same time, it's really weird being in Sweden with your teammates, but I've been looking forward to it for a long time now and can't wait for it to start."
-- Mike G. Morreale
COLOGNE, Germany --Soccer is the No. 1 sport in Germany and dominated the sports pages in Cologne on Tuesday. But native son Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers had a presence.
The newspaper Express displayed a large package with photos of the tour Draisaitl gave his teammates Monday: Draisaitl posing with the guys outside the Cologne Cathedral, a group taking photos inside, Oscar Klefbom lighting a candle, Connor McDavid walking the streets.
It also showed Draisaitl speaking to the media with his father, Peter, the coach of Kolner Haie; Draisaitl laughing during practice; even Draisaitl grabbing a sandwich.
The headline in German: "Leons Koln-Tour mit den Oilers: Mega-Star zeigt seinen Edmonton-Kollegen den Dom."
Translation: "Leon's Cologne tour with the Oilers: Mega Star shows his Edmonton teammates the cathedral."
The newspaper Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger ran a story with the headline in German: "Leon Draisaitl hat in Koln das Kommando."
Translation: "Leon Draisaitl is in command in Cologne."
-- Nicholas J. Cotsonika

Former Oilers forward settled in Germany with Kolner Haie

COLOGNE, Germany --The billboards are all over town, and the sign hangs on the side of Lanxess Arena, advertising the exhibition between the Edmonton Oilers and Kolner Haie on Wednesday (10 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN, NHL.TV). On one side is Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, the kid from Cologne. On the other is Haie forward Ryan Jones, the kid from … Chatham, Ontario.
"I mean, I wish they would have picked a better picture," Jones said with a laugh. "But, yeah, it's cool. I'm going to try to find a way to get up there and snip that down and take it home with me when this game's over with."
Jones played 334 NHL games from 2008-09, including 247 for Edmonton. At his peak, he scored 35 goals for the Oilers over two seasons from 2010-12. But he came to Cologne in 2014 and averaged 15.25 goals over his first four seasons with the Sharks. He has no goals in six games this season.
He raved about the quality of life in Germany and the passion of its hockey fans. Asked what those fans wanted to see, he said: "They probably want to see 17 goals from Leon Draisaitl, maybe another 17 from Connor McDavid and then one from us."
He laughed.
"You know, they just want to see those guys," he said. "Those are players that they normally only get a chance to see on TV, and for them to see that live is pretty special. I was joking there. They probably want to see us win 25-0. They're passionate fans. The Oilers will see that tomorrow. They're soccer fans crammed in a hockey rink. There will be flags all over the place, chants and a lot of noise."
-- Nicholas J. Cotsonika

Kolner Haie mix of NHL alumni, nationalities

COLOGNE, Germany -- A German reporter asked Oilers center Conner McDavid what he knew about his opponent in the exhibition Wednesday.
"We know that they're well coached," McDavid said, smiling. "That's all we've been told."
The coach of the Kolner Haie -- the Cologne Sharks, in English -- is Peter Draisaitl, the father of Oilers center Leon Draisaitl.
The roster is a mix of nationalities and includes seven players who have appeared in the NHL. Forwards Ryan Jones (334 games) and Jason Akeson (15), and defenseman Morgan Ellis (three) were born in Canada. Defenseman Corey Potter (130), and forwards Ben Hanowski (16) and Mike Zalewski (six), are from the United States. Defenseman Alexander Sulzer (131) is from Germany.
"We were in the locker room yesterday just looking around at some of the stalls," McDavid said. "It's amazing the names you recognize and how many guys that have played in the NHL or have had a taste in the NHL. They're going to be a good team."
They're in transition, though. The Deutsch Eishockey League -- the German Ice Hockey League, in English -- began its regular season Sept. 14. The Sharks are 2-2-2 for eight points in the standings, good for eighth place in the 14-team league.
"We're still looking for our identity," Peter Draisaitl said. "We have replaced 12 players in the summer. We have a lot of players in key positions coming first time to Germany from different leagues -- Russia and Sweden and wherever they come from -- so still they don't know the players, they don't know the opponents, they don't know the buildings. So we're still a work in progress, and we're not done yet with our team building."
Keep an eye on forward Fabio Pfohl, 22, Cologne's leading scorer with seven points (three goals, four assists). Peter Draisaitl said the Sharks wanted to build around him for the future.
"Great hockey player," Peter Draisaitl said. "Great hockey mind. Needs a little bit of physical stability, but he plays hard. He can make plays."
-- Nicholas J. Cotsonika

Draisaitl back in Germany with Oilers

COLOGNE, Germany -- Welcome home, Leon.
As soon as Leon Draisaitl exited passport control at Cologne Bonn Airport on Sunday, he was met by a fan wearing a replica of his orange No. 29 Edmonton Oilers jersey.
Draisaitl grew up in Cologne and
will play against the local team coached by his father
, Peter, in an exhibition at Lanxess Arena on Wednesday (10 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN) as part of the 2018 Global Series Challenge.
Christian Gottriech, 32, is a fan of Kolner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga -- the Cologne Sharks of the German Ice Hockey League, in English. He already had gotten Draisaitl's autograph on the back of his jersey in the summer, while Draisaitl was skating in Cologne. But he wanted to catch a glimpse of him before he got on the bus.
So he figured out when the Oilers' plane would land after an 8-hour, 40-minute flight from Edmonton, and he waited.
He can't wait to go to the game and see Draisaitl, not to mention his teammates.
"All the big players," Gottriech said. "Connor McDavid to play in Cologne, that's an experience. … I think it is one chance in my life to see the Oilers here in Germany."
The Oilers went through an off-ice workout Sunday and will practice Monday.
"I think Cologne is known for its people," Draisaitl said last week. "We're such a unit as a city. We're so close together. People always say that it's the people that make Cologne beautiful."
-- Nicholas J. Cotsonika

Bern ready for Devils

Andrew Ebbett told New Jersey Devils coach John Hynes, his former mentor, to prepare for an experience he'll never forget when SC Bern plays the Devils in a preseason game at PostFinance Arena in Switzerland as part of the 2018 NHL Global Series on Monday (1:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, MSG+).
Ebbett, who has four points (one goal, three assists) in three games for SC Bern this season, played two seasons for Hynes at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (2013-15). On Saturday, Ebbett saw his former coach and recommended some places to shop and eat while in town, and also enlightened him on one other thing.
"I told him it'll be a good, fun game and said to be ready for our fans because it's a different atmosphere than an NHL atmosphere, that's for sure," Ebbett said. "I've always been a big Hynes fan, so I was really excited when he was up for the Devils job, and when I head he got it, I knew he would do a good job. I know how he operates and I know that they'll be ready because it's their last preseason tune-up before their regular-season opener.
"I've been telling these guys to be ready for a really good hockey game."
SC Bern defenseman Eric Blum said his team and the entire city is excited and ready.
"It's something you don't experience a lot or maybe just once throughout a career, so it's a really cool event," he said. "For all of hockey in Switzerland, it's definitely a special thing. Fans don't get to see NHL games that often so it's a really cool event to see, and it's definitely going to be packed."
-- Mike G. Morreale

Hynes shares knowledge with local coaches

Hynes is doing more than just preparing the Devils for their last preseason game of the season against SC Bern at PostFinance Arena on Monday.
The Devils coach is also taking time to assist local coaches. Hynes, along with former NHL assistant coaches Curt Fraser and Darryl Williams, had an opportunity to speak with approximately 65 area coaches during a coaching clinic that followed Devils practice at the PostFinance Arena in Bern on Sunday.
"It was great; we went up and talked to them about how we do things with handling individual players, how we teach, what systems we play," Hynes said. "It's always fun to do something like this because as you go through coaching you're trying to learn and get better. I think it's an opportunity for us to be able to give back, too, and offer some ideas.
"In the summer, I'd be right in there if I were them, trying to pick a coach's brain, learn and try to get better. When you have a chance to share, I think it's important."
Hynes offered his practice plan to Fraser and Williams before all three conducted the discussion with many coaches from different leagues throughout Switzerland.
-- Mike G. Morreale

Hynes, Devils eager to get started

New Jersey Devils coach John Hynes can sense excitement in his players and staff as they prepare for the first leg of the
2018 NHL Global Series
.
The Devils held a final practice at Bell MTS Iceplex on Friday before departing for Bern. They are expected to arrive on Saturday and conduct a practice in the afternoon. New Jersey will play its final preseason game against SC Bern at PostFinance Arena in Switzerland on Monday.
Nico Hischier, the No. 1 center for the Devils, grew up in Brig, a short train ride from Bern, and briefly played for SC Bern before being drafted No. 1 in the 2017 NHL Draft.
"You always want to keep things fresh, so the fact we get to go over to two beautiful countries, two great cities, and combine that with some team-building that we'll have collectively as a group is great," Hynes said. "I also think when you go to another country, and particularly the cities we'll be in with [Hischier] being in his hometown, it'll be great for the guys as teammates and without coaches and management around, to spend some time together.
"The venues are fantastic."
-- Mike G. Morreale