Liiga vs 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.

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.