{
  "id": 6422881,
  "title": "Ron MacLean, Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa reunite as Sportsnet unveils expanded national NHL lineup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/ron-maclean-elliotte-friedman-and-kevin-bieksa-reunite-as-sportsnet",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T13:30:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/09/09/sportsnet-nhl-national-hockey-schedule-eliotte-friedman-kevin-bieksa-ron-maclean/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Sportsnet is reshaping its hockey coverage for the upcoming NHL season, lifting 150 regional blackouts and rolling out a revamped national broadcast slate headlined by the return of Ron MacLean, Elliotte Friedman, Kevin Bieksa, and Colby Armstrong to a new flagship program: Saturday Night Hockey. The move, announced by Sportsnet on Wednesday, marks one of […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ron MacLean, Elliotte Friedman, and Kevin Bieksa return to Saturday Night Hockey",
    "550-plus games and 35% increase in national broadcasts compared to last season",
    "Monday Night Hockey streams exclusively on Sportsnet+, with David Amber as host"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The revamped national broadcast slate, featuring a new flagship program and increased game coverage, solidifies Sportsnet's position as a premier destination for NHL fans in Canada.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}