Ron MacLean, Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa reunite as Sportsnet unveils expanded national NHL lineup

Sportsnet is expanding its hockey coverage for the upcoming NHL season, lifting 150 regional blackouts and unveiling a revamped national broadcast slate. This includes the return of Ron MacLean, Elliotte Friedman, Kevin Bieksa, and Colby Armstrong to a new flagship program called Saturday Night Hockey. The network is promising 550-plus games and a 35 per cent increase in national broadcasts compared to last season.

Saturday Night Hockey will debut on October 3, featuring Canadian teams in every match-up. The show will also air a weekly doubleheader, with at least one Canadian team present in each match. On Monday nights, Monday Night Hockey will stream exclusively on Sportsnet+. This broadcast will feature host David Amber and analysts Luke Gazdic and Justin Williams.

Sportsnet+ subscribers will have access to this stream, while TV subscribers can upgrade for $12.99 per month, starting September 15. The network's national coverage will kick off on September 29, with a coast-to-coast Canadian doubleheader: Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, play-by-play by Chris Cuthbert, analysis by Craig Simpson, and reporting by Kyle Bukauskas.

Additional coverage will include the Heritage Classic (October 25), Winter Classic (December 31), All-Star Weekend (February 5-6), and Stadium Series (February 20). Sportsnet will also broadcast all major NHL events, except for three early-round playoff series airing on Prime Video.