The Greatest International Line Combos Ever

Defining "International Lines"

What Counts

For this list, international lines include:

Fully Non-North American:

• Three European players
• Same or mixed nationalities
• Cultural/language connection

Majority European:

• Two Europeans, one North American
• Significant international flavor
• Nationality as talking point

International Chemistry:

• Players from different countries
• Cross-cultural excellence
• Memorable combinations

If you know which NHL stars are Swedish, Finnish, Russian, or Czech, you'll love Gridzy Hockey — birthplace categories show up constantly in the daily grid.

Top 10 International Line Combos

The Complete Ranking

1. Stastny Brothers Line (Quebec Nordiques, 1981-85)

Peter Stastny, Anton Stastny, Marian Stastny. Three Slovak-Czechoslovak brothers who defected and became one of league's most dangerous lines.

Production:

• Combined 300+ points annually at peak
• Peter: 139 points (1981-82)
• Helped normalize European stars in top roles

Why It Matters: First all-European line to dominate NHL, proved international players could be offensive stars. Cultural significance of brothers defecting together.

2. Russian Five (Detroit Red Wings, Mid-1990s)

Sergei Fedorov, Igor Larionov, Slava Kozlov (forwards); Viacheslav Fetisov, Vladimir Konstantinov (defense). All-Russian five-man unit that controlled puck and defined Detroit's European style.

Impact:

• Two Stanley Cups (1997, 1998)
• Revolutionary puck possession
• Changed NHL tactics forever
• Proved European systems work

Legacy: Not technically a forward line but operated as cohesive Russian unit. Most influential international combination ever.

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3. Gretzky-Kurri-Tikkanen (Edmonton Oilers, 1980s)

Wayne Gretzky (Canada), Jari Kurri (Finland), Esa Tikkanen (Finland). Two-thirds international, dominated scoring and won multiple Cups.

Production:

• 300+ combined points regularly
• Kurri: 601 career goals
• Five Stanley Cups

Chemistry: Gretzky's playmaking with Finnish finishing and defensive responsibility created perfect balance.

4. Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche, 2017-2023)

Gabriel Landeskog (Sweden), Nathan MacKinnon (Canada), Mikko Rantanen (Finland). Modern international powerhouse line.

Success:

• Stanley Cup (2022)
• Combined 250+ points in peak seasons
• Playoff dominance

Style: Swedish two-way captain, Canadian speed demon, Finnish power winger. Perfect international blend.

5. Kucherov-Point-Palat (Tampa Bay Lightning, 2018-2023)

Nikita Kucherov (Russia), Brayden Point (Canada), Ondrej Palat (Czech Republic). International chemistry driving back-to-back Cups.

Championships:

• Two Cups (2020, 2021)
• Kucherov: Conn Smythe finalist
• Dominant playoff line

Production: Combined for 200+ points regularly, elite playoff performers.

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6. Sedin-Sedin-Burrows (Vancouver Canucks, 2008-2015)

Henrik Sedin (Sweden), Daniel Sedin (Sweden), Alexandre Burrows (Canada). Swedish twins with Canadian agitator created chemistry.

Success:

• Presidents' Trophy (2011)
• Stanley Cup Finals (2011)
• Art Ross winners

Chemistry: Telepathic Swedish connection with Canadian grinder who fit perfectly.

7. Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom (Detroit Red Wings, 2000s)

Henrik Zetterberg (Sweden), Pavel Datsyuk (Russia), Tomas Holmstrom (Sweden). Swedish-Russian combination with elite skill.

Production:

• Stanley Cup (2008)
• Elite two-way play
• Playoff excellence

Style: Swedish skill with Russian wizardry created magical combinations.

8. "Czechs-Mex" Line (Edmonton Oilers, 2006-07)

Petr Sykora (Czech), Ales Hemsky (Czech), Raffi Torres (Canada-Mexican heritage). Cult classic line fans loved for nickname and personality.

Appeal:

• Memorable nickname
• Playoff run (2006)
• Fan favorite

Production: Not the most dominant but beloved for chemistry and entertainment value.

9. Koivu-Ryder-Kovalev (Montreal Canadiens, 2007-09)

Saku Koivu (Finland), Michael Ryder (Canada), Alexei Kovalev (Russia). International mix with elite skill.

Success:

• Playoff runs
• Kovalev: Elite playmaker
• Finnish-Russian chemistry

10. Forsberg-Sakic-Hejduk (Colorado Avalanche, 2001-04)

Peter Forsberg (Sweden), Joe Sakic (Canada), Milan Hejduk (Czech). International skill with Canadian leadership.

Championships:

• Multiple deep playoff runs
• Stanley Cup contenders
• Elite production

Read more: Best Swedish NHL Players of All Time

Era Evolution

How International Lines Changed

1980s: Rare but revolutionary (Stastny brothers, Gretzky-Kurri)

1990s: Russian Five changed everything, proved European systems work

2000s: International lines became common, no longer novelty

2010s-2020s: Fully integrated, nationality irrelevant to chemistry

Modern NHL sees international combinations as normal, not exceptional.

Read more: NHL International Trivia: Swedes, Finns, Russians, Etc.

Build Your Own Modern International Line

Hypothetical Dream Combos

Imagining perfect international lines today:

All-Nordic Superline:

• William Nylander (Sweden)
• Mikko Rantanen (Finland)
• Mats Zuccarello (Norway)

Young European Stars:

• Lucas Raymond (Sweden)
• Tim Stutzle (Germany)
• Juraj Slafkovsky (Slovakia)

Russian Power:

• Nikita Kucherov
• Andrei Svechnikov
• Kirill Kaprizov

These hypothetical lines show depth of current international talent.

Read more: Best Finnish NHL Players of All Time

The Verdict

From Stastny brothers proving Europeans could dominate to Russian Five revolutionizing tactics to modern seamless integration, international line combinations have shaped NHL history.

The best international lines combined cultural diversity with on-ice chemistry, creating memorable combinations that transcended nationality.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

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