The Swedish Hockey League is back on FloHockey for the 2025-26 season. U.S. subscribers will be able to watch each English-language broadcast from the SHL season from now until the league championship is won.

• Subscribe to FloHockey today to watch the SHL live and on demand in the U.S.
• Chicago Blackhawks Draft Anton Frondell: Instant Reaction
• SHL Broadcast Schedule on FloHockey

It is expected to be an extremely exciting year in the SHL, highlighted by some recent returns to the ice by former NHL superstars, as well as a wave of future NHL talent that will be pushing for bigger roles with their home country clubs before heading to North America.

The storylines for the league are plentiful. Here’s a look at our upcoming SHL schedule for the start of the season, as well as some key storylines to watch throughout the year.

Nicklas Bäckström Returns To The Ice With Brynäs

The regular-season champions of the SHL got quite a boost when it was revealed that club hero Nicklas Bäckström would be making his return to pro hockey on Swedish ice. The former Washington Capitals forward had not played a regular-season game since October of 2023, dealing with an injury to his hip that made playing a virtual impossibility. Once his contract expired with Washington, Bäckström turned his eyes to returning to Brynäs to resume his playing career.

Välkommen hem till Gävle och Brynäs IF, Nicklas Bäckström! 🤝✅

Efter en lång och framgångsrik NHL-karriär står det nu klart att Nicklas Bäckström är klar för en återkomst i Brynäströjan.

🗞️ Läs mer på https://t.co/MR7GswpDsO pic.twitter.com/Hd1zbvCBQT

— Brynäs IF (@Brynas) July 28, 2025

The 37-year-old spent 18 years with the Capitals, winning the Stanley Cup with the club in 2018. The Swedish superstar had 1,033 points in 1,105 NHL games and another 114 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bäckstöm is a two-time Olympian, earning the silver medal in 2014. 

The Valbo native has not played professionally in his home country in nearly 20 years, last skating for Brynäs in what was then known as the Eliteserien. He played two seasons of pro in what is now called the SHL, posting 66 points in 110 career games after working his way up through the Brynäs system. 

The excitement of seeing a club legend return will only compound the buzz around Brynäs, which won the SHL's regular-season title last season and fell just short to Luleå in the championship series. The team also boasts a number of former NHL players including Jakob Silfverberg, who returned to the team last season and was named the SHL's MVP. 

Expectations will be high for Brynäs with their star-studded, veteran lineup with a special focus paid to the guy who may go down as one of the great playmakers in NHL history.

Djurgårdens Returns To The SHL With Young Stars Frondell, Eklund

Welcome back to the SHL, Djurgårdens. After playing their way into promotion by winning the Allsvenskan championship, DIF is back where it feels it always belonged after a long three years in Sweden's second division. Now their focus turns to becoming a contender again in the top flight.

After helping Djurgårdens earn promotion, there will be even more focus on young forwards Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund, each of whom went in the top 20 in the first round of the NHL Draft. Frondell was picked third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, while Eklund was selected 17th overall by the New York Islnaders. Both players will be leveling up by playing in the SHL, but appear destined for North America after this season.

Top NHL Draft prospect Anton Frondell wasted no time getting to Texas for the #U18MensWorlds after helping Djurgårdens IF to a championship and promotion to the SHL!

FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/VYe5IROhZr#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/9ckfSwet3i

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) April 28, 2025

Frondell committed last season to returning regardless of where he was drafted. After putting up 25 points in 29 games in HockeyAllsvenskan last season, plus another seven in 16 playoff games, expectations will be high. For Eklund, who is the older of the two, perhaps even more will be expected. He had 19 goals last season and also had seven points in the playoffs.

Both figure to be prominent pieces of Sweden's World Junior team, so they'll be watched closely not just by fans but by the Swedish hockey federation. There's a lot riding on both of them.

Stenberg Looks To Become Top NHL Draft Pick With Frölunda

The top NHL Draft prospect in the SHL this season will be Ivar Stenberg who burst onto the scene with Frölunda late last season and played a top-six role for them in the SHL playoffs. Stenberg has a chance to be a top-five pick in the NHL Draft. He came it at No. 3 on FloHockey's way-too-early Top 10 for 2026. But there's good reason for such lofty expectations.

A speedy, hard-driving winger, Stenberg is the younger brother of St. Louis Blues first-round pick and current Springfield Falcons forward Otto Stenberg. In 25 games during the SHL season, Ivar Stenberg had just three points. However, in the playoffs, he had six points in just 12 games including three goals. It was there that you could see the maturity of his game.

Ivar Stenberg isn't even eligible for the #NHLDraft until 2026 and he's scoring in the SHL semifinals 🫣#SHL pic.twitter.com/9cUqK8Jo6N

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) April 8, 2025

He followed that up with an impressive showing at the U18 Men's World Championship, posting 13 points in seven games as Sweden took silver in the event. 

With a full season ahead, Stenberg has a chance to earn a prominent role in Frölunda's lineup and a likely starring role with Sweden at the World Juniors to build up his already high NHL Draft stock.

SHL Broadcast Schedule On FloHockey September-October

Here is complete SHL broadcast schedule for September and October on FloHockey. All games will air live and on-demand in the United States only.

• Sept. 13: Malmö Redhawks vs. Luleå HF
• Sept. 16: Växjö Lakers vs. HV71
• Sept. 18: Skellefteå AIK vs. Färjestad BK
• Sept. 20: Frölunda HC vs. Luleå Hockey
• Sept. 23: Djurgårdens IF vs. Frölunda HC
• Sept. 25: Malmö Redhawks vs. Brynäs IF
• Sept. 27: Djurgårdens IF vs. Timrå IK
• Sept. 30: Skellefteå AIK vs. Luleå 
• Oct. 2: Brynäs IF vs. Timrå IK
• Oct. 4: Färjestad BK vs. Brynäs IF
• Oct. 9: Leksands IF vs. Linköping HC
• Oct 11: Skellefteå AIK vs. HV71
• Oct. 16: Malmö Redhawks vs. Rögle BK
• Oct. 18: Leksands IF vs. Färjestad BK
• Oct. 23: Djurgården vs. Örebro 
• Oct. 25: Luleå HF vs. Frölunda HC
• Oct. 28: Växjö Lakers vs. Djurgården
• Oct. 30: Örebro vs. Linköping

How To Watch The SHL In The United States

FloHockey is the exclusive streaming home of SHL English-language broadcasts in the United Stats. U.S.-based subscribers can access all games live and on demand with their FloSports subscription. Sign up for a subscription today to watch some of the best pro hockey in all of Europe.

Drafted NHL Prospects To Track In The SHL This Season

• Damian Clara, G, Brynäs (ANA)
• Lucas Pettersson, C/W, Brynäs (ANA)
• Anton Frondell, C, Djurgårdens IF (CHI)
• Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgårdens IF (NYI)
• Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö Lakers (SJS)
• Theodor Hallquisth, D, Örebro HK (MIN)
• Melvin Fernström, RW, Örebro HK (PIT)
• Jack Berglund, C, Färjestad BK (PHI)
• Melker Thelin, G, Färjestad BK (UTA)
• Mikkel Eriksen, C, Färjestad BK (NYR)
• Noel Fransén, D, Färjestad BK (CAR)
• Marcus Gidlöf, G, Leksands IF (NYI)
• Victor Johansson, D, Leksands IF (TOR)
• Jakob His-Wozniak, RW, Luleå HF (VGK)
• Noah Dower-Nilsson, C/W, Frölunda HC (DET)
• Alfons Freij, D, Timrå IK (WPG)
• Eddie Genborg, LW, Timrå IK (DET)
• Linus Eriksson, C, Timrå IK (FLA)
• Karl Annborn, D, HV71 (SEA)

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

Hockey Hits Harder On Flo

Every game. Every goal. Every hit. All Season Long. FloHockey gives you access to the most live hockey anywhere, including leagues like the AHL, ECHL, OHL, QMJHL and USHL. Watch your team, follow top prospects and stay on top of all the action. Subscribe to an annual plan now and get 7 months free.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook