Chipman ecstatic for Jets to take part in 2018 NHL Global Series

TAMPA BAY, Florida - Next season's NHL schedule won't be released for a number of months, but Patrik Laine and Joel Armia already know two games to circle on the calendar.
In November 2018, the Winnipeg Jets will play two regular season games in Laine and Armia's home country of Finland against the Florida Panthers.
Jets Executive Chairman Mark Chipman says the conversations began back in November.
"I think it's going to be great. There's a long history of our organization and players from Finland and Sweden," said Chipman. "It's kind of neat, it's full circle. To be asked to go over there is a real honour. That the league would think that we would be an attraction in Finland is really a high honour for us. We're fired up about it."

A number of details still need to be ironed out, including the specific dates and cities the games will be played.
Even those logistics up in the air, Chipman is happy for Laine and Armia, two players that have already contributed so much to the organization in their 271 combined NHL games.
"Not only just the way Patrik has performed at such an early age, but the way he's carried himself as well. He's really earned the respect of his teammates, and people around the league in short order," said Chipman. "The league notices those things. He's a great young man.
"I think the fact Joel Armia is having a great year again, and has really turned into a fine NHL player is fantastic as well. We're very pleased with the young man we drafted last summer in Kristian Vesalainen. He's having a great year in the Finnish Elite League. So we've got some pedigree in Finland right now. Our fans over there, of which I know there are many because of those guys, they'll be really excited to see us over there."
Also part of the NHL Global Series, the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils will also head overseas. Each team will play a preseason game (Edmonton in Germany, New Jersey in Switzerland). Then the two will face-off to open the regular season in Sweden.
"We think the German market is a tremendous opportunity for the National Hockey League, NHL players, in terms of making an impact in the German market it's a great market place," said NHL Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly. "It has a hockey tradition, and a hockey culture, and we think we can build on that and add to it. We have a great relationship with the German Ice Hockey Federation, a great relationship with the German Ice Hockey League."

The NHL also announced the league is heading back to China in September, as part of the 2018 O.R.G. NHL China Games. Like the Finland games involving the Jets, details are still being worked on, including which teams will attend.