What Is Split Squad In NHL Preseason Games?

The roster of any NHL team is generally divided into two squads when they are set to play two matches at the same time, or even the same day.

Regarding the two different fixtures of a team on the same day, they are usually played at two different hockey arenas; one home and one away.

A split squad ensures that all the players on the roster are provided with an opportunity to exhibit their skills and ultimately compete for the spot.

Not just about impressing the coaching staff with their gameplay, it also provides emerging athletes a chance to learn from experienced players. Just watching how they train, speaking with them, and getting to know their mentality will give massive confidence to the younger lads.

The coaching panel of a team separates players into two groups taking several factors into consideration such as playing position, experience, and skills among others. It also helps to reduce the fatigue of the players whilst keeping them fresh and ready ahead of the new season.

Furthermore, a team roster is split only during the training sessions and preseason fixtures. They remain intact during the regular season matches.

The following NHL teams have split squads for the 2023 preseason games:

• Arizona Coyotes
• Los Angeles Kings
• St. Louis Blues
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• Pittsburgh Penguins
• Nashville Predators
• Florida Panthers
• New Jersey Devils
• Seattle Kraken
• Calgary Flames
• Carolina Hurricanes

Arizona Coyotes Split Squad

The Coyotes called a total of 74 players for the 2023 training camp. The roster includes eight goaltenders, 23 defensemen, and 43 forwards.

The main group of players took a flight to Melbourne on 16 September for the NHL Global Series. The remaining members of the roster began their training camp on Sep 20 at the Ice Den Scottsdale.

After playing a couple of preseason games in Melbourne, the group will return to Arizona on Sep 25 and partake in the practice session at the Ice Den Scottsdale on Sep 28.

Arizona Coyotes squad for the 2023 NHL Global Series in Australia includes the following players.

Goaltenders

• Connor Ingram
• Karel Vejmelka
• Andrew Oke

Defensemen

• Travis Dermott
• Sean Durzi
• Troy Stecher
• Josh Brown
• Matt Dumba
• J.J. Moser
• Juuso Valimaki
• Victor Soderstrom

Forwards

• Travis Boyd
• Logan Cooley
• Nick Bjugstad
• Lawson Crouse
• Michael Carcone
• Jason Zucker
• Dylan Guenther
• Clayton Keller
• Jack McBain
• Nick Schmaltz
• Barrett Hayton
• Liam O’Brien
• Alex Kerfoot
• Matias Maccelli

LA Kings Split Squad

68 players have been called by the Los Angeles Kings for the training camp. The roster comprises 8 goalies, 22 defensemen, and 38 forwards.

The on-ice sessions have also started at the Toyota Sports Performance Center. 27 players are currently in Melbourne for the NHL Global Series.

2021 draft pick Brandt Clarke and the 2020 draft pick Quinton Byfield are also included in the roster. Likewise, goalie J.F. Berube who recently signed a PTO with the Kings will also get an opportunity to showcase his skills in the training sessions.

Furthermore, the players will be divided into three groups for the camp. Group A for the 2023 NHL Global Series includes the following players.

Goaltenders

• Phoenix Copley
• Cam Talbot
• David Rittich

Defensemen

• Andreas Englund
• Drew Doughty
• Matt Roy
• Mikey Anderson
• Jordan Spence
• Tobias Bjornfot
• Vladislav Gavrikov
• Jacob Moverare
• Brandt Clarke

Forwards

• Adrian Kempe
• Trevor Moore
• Viktor Arvidsson
• Anze Kopitar
• Kevin Fiala
• Phillip Danault
• Jaret Anderson-Dolan
• Arthur Kaliyev
• Alex Turcotte
• Samuel Fagemo
• Jacob Doty
• Trevor Lewis
• Blake Lizotte
• Quinton Byfield
• Pierre-Luc Dubois
• Carl Grundstrom

Hockey fans in the Southern Hemisphere will get to watch the NHL teams play in Australia for the first time as part of the NHL Global Series.

Arizona Coyotes and LA Kings will play 2 preseason games at the Rod Laver Arena. However, both teams will have a split squad for the fixtures.

Ahead of the exhibition games in Melbourne, the Coyotes and the Kings practiced at the O'Brien Icehouse in Docklands. The arena is expected to be packed with thousands of fans purchasing tickets already.

Since most of the regular season athletes are included in the exhibition games roster, fans will get to relish the high-quality hockey matches.

Apart from the likes of Arizona and LA, several other teams have also made split squads where they will be playing matches in multiple venues.

Split squad hockey preseason schedule (All times in ET)

Arizona Coyotes vs. LA Kings at Rod Laver Arena - Sep 23, 12 am

Arizona Coyotes at St. Louis - Sep 23, 3 pm

Arizona Coyotes vs. St. Louis at Intrust Bank Arena - Sep 23, 8 pm

Arizona Coyotes vs. LA Kings at Rod Laver Arena - Sep 24, 12 am

Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins - Sep 24, 1 pm

Arizona Coyotes vs. Dallas Stars at Cedar Park - Sep 24, 6 pm

Pittsburgh Penguins at Columbus Blue Jackets - Sep 24, 7 pm

LA Kings at Anaheim Ducks - Sep 24, 8 pm

Nashville Predators at Florida Panthers - Sep 25, 2 pm and 6 pm

NJ Devils at Montreal Canadiens - Sep 25, 7 pm

Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils - Sep 25, 7 pm

Seattle Kraken at Calgary Flames - Sep 25, 9 pm

Calgary Flames at Seattle Kraken - Sep 25, 10 pm

Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers - Sep 29, 6 pm

Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning - Sep 29, 7 pm