Former NHL players making noise in European leagues this season
The article profiles five players with NHL experience who are thriving in top European pro leagues. Roman Cervenka, 40, is scoring at a near 100-point pace in Czechia after winning league and playoff MVP honors last season. Nikolay Goldobin is among the KHL standouts, and the group also includes other former first-round picks and an NHL All-Star.
Roman Cervenka, 40, skates for HC Dynamo Pardubice in Czechia. The ex-Calgary Flame played 39 NHL games. Last season he was Czech Extraliga player of the year and playoff MVP, recording 60 regular-season points and 25 in the playoffs as Pardubice won the title. He is again near a 100-point pace and leads the league in points.
Nikolay Goldobin, 31, is a 2014 first-rounder now with SKA St. Petersburg. After leaving the NHL by 2020, he stayed in Russia, broke out with 78 points for Spartak Moskva in 2023-24, and is tracking 91 assists. Jesse Puljujarvi, 28, the No. 4 pick in 2016, had 52 points in 52 games for Geneve-Servette and helped Finland win world gold.
This story may resonate with hockey fans who follow former NHL names abroad, giving them reasons to track European leagues and KHL, Swiss, and Czech coverage. It could also affect players’ reputations and future opportunities, as strong overseas seasons may draw interest from NHL clubs, national teams, or sponsors. For European clubs and leagues, such recognizable veterans can boost attendance, media attention, and merchandise interest, though the actual impact likely varies by market and performance.