NHL reveals the real reason the Toronto Maple Leafs were given the best Global Series schedule

PUBLICATION

Sam Hutch
November 26, 2023 (10:15 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Recently, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild ventures to Stockholm, Sweden for the National Hockey League's Global series. Many fans were wondering how the league chose who would play as the home and away teams and why Toronto got two away games.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the NHL is forced to cut a check to a team who loses a home game. Which makes it a lot easier to pay a team like Ottawa instead of Toronto.

Friedman says that when it comes to the global series the league is basically robbing, and has to pay for a home games gate.

You'll notice that Ottawa had 2 Home games while Toronto had 2 away games simply because the NHL found it easier to cut a check with Ottawa #GoSensGo

The Leafs are one of the most valuable franchises in sport, so of course it would be easier to cut a deal with Ottawa. This also explains why the league chose to not give the Leafs a home game. Unlike Toronto, Ottawa games don't always sell out and the lower ticket values make that check a much easier one to write.