2026–27 NHL season
National Hockey League season
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The 2026–27 NHL season is the 110th season of operation (109th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The season features an 84-game regular season schedule for the first time since 1993–94. The regular season began on September 29, 2026.[1] The Stanley Cup playoffs are then planned to begin in April 2027, ending with the Stanley Cup Final in June.
| 2026–27 NHL season | |
|---|---|
| League | National Hockey League |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Duration | September 29, 2026 – June 2027 |
| Games | 84 |
| Teams | 32 |
| TV partner(s) | Sportsnet/SN1/SN360, TVA Sports (Canada) ESPN/ABC/ESPN2, TNT/TBS/truTV, NHL Network (United States) |
| Streaming partner(s) | Sportsnet+, Amazon Prime Video (Canada) ESPN app/Hulu/Disney+, HBO Max (United States) DAZN (international NHL.TV excluded Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) |
| Draft | |
| Top draft pick | Gavin McKenna |
| Picked by | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Regular season | |
| Playoffs | |
| Stanley Cup | |
League business
Collective bargaining agreement
On June 27, 2025, the league and the NHL Players' Association agreed on a new four-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that will take effect from the 2026–27 to 2029–30 seasons. Among the changes under the agreement, the 2026–27 regular season expands from 82 to 84 games, featuring two more divisional games; the additional regular season games will come with a reduction in the number of preseason games played, down from 6 to 4.[2][3]
Additionally, as part of the new CBA, the 2026–27 season will see the end of the use of amateur emergency back-up goaltenders (EBUGs) supplied by the home team for each game; instead, teams must hire their own emergency goaltender who will travel with the team and is permitted to have other non-player team duties. To prevent the hiring of "ringers", each team's new EBUG must fulfill the following conditions: they must not have played professional hockey at any level in the previous three seasons, cannot have ever played a single game in the NHL under a standard player contract, cannot have played more than 80 professional games in their careers, and are not on the reserve list or restricted free agent list of any NHL teams.[4][5][6][7] If a team signs three or more goaltenders, the team is still required to hire a permanent EBUG but is not required to have their EBUG present for a game.[8] EBUGs will be required to wear 00 as their uniform number.[9][10]
Winnipeg Jets franchise consolidation
On September 24, 2026, the NHL announced that the franchise records and statistics of the original Winnipeg Jets from 1972 to 1996 would be moved from the inactive Arizona Coyotes franchise to the current Winnipeg Jets franchise. As a result, the Jets' franchise records include both its original and current incarnations as well as the Atlanta Thrashers.[11]
Entry draft
The 2026 NHL entry draft took place on June 26–27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.[12]
Coaching changes
| Off–season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | 2025–26 coach | 2026–27 coach | Notes |
| Edmonton Oilers | Kris Knoblauch | Mike Babcock | Knoblauch was fired on May 14, 2026, two weeks after the Oilers' elimination from the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. In parts of three seasons with the team, Knoblauch totaled a 135–77–21 record, with two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025.[13] Babcock, most recently head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets during part of the 2023 offseason, was cleared by the NHLPA and NHL in an investigation on June 18, and was named head coach on June 23.[14] |
| Los Angeles Kings | Jim Hiller D. J. Smith* |
Peter Laviolette | Hiller was fired on March 1, 2026, after the Kings started the season 24–21–14, including a 2–5–1 record in his final eight games. In parts of three seasons with Los Angeles, Hiller posted a 93–58–24 record, reaching the playoffs in both of his completed seasons, but losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round both times. Smith, most recently an assistant coach for Los Angeles, and formerly head coach of the Ottawa Senators from 2019 to 2023, was named interim head coach the same day.[15] Smith finished out the season 11–6–6, with Los Angeles being swept in the first round of the playoffs. Laviolette, most recently head coach of the New York Rangers from 2023 to 2025, was named head coach on June 9.[16] |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Craig Berube | Jim Hiller | Berube was fired on May 13, 2026, approximately a month after the end of the Maple Leafs' season. In two seasons with Toronto, Berube posted a 84–62–18 record, reaching the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs in his first year, but missing the playoffs in his second.[17] Hiller, most recently head coach of the Los Angeles Kings from 2024 to 2026, was named head coach on June 17.[18] |
| Vancouver Canucks | Adam Foote | Manny Malhotra | Foote was fired on May 19, 2026, approximately a month after the end of the Canucks' season. In his only season with Vancouver, Foote recorded a 25–49–8 record, finishing last in the NHL.[19] Malhotra, the head coach of the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, and who played for the NHL Canucks from 2010 to 2013, was named head coach on June 1.[20] |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Bruce Cassidy John Tortorella |
Ryan Craig | Cassidy was fired on March 29, 2026, with eight games remaining in the season, after the Golden Knights started the season 32–26–16, including a 3–5–2 record in his final ten games. In just under four seasons with Vegas, Cassidy recorded a 178–99–43 record, with three playoff appearances, leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2023. Tortorella, most recently head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers from 2022 to 2025, was named head coach the same day, signing a contract for the remainder of the season and playoffs.[21][22] Tortorella finished out the season 7–0–1, with Vegas reaching the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, but losing to the Carolina Hurricanes. On June 16, the Golden Knights announced that Tortorella would not return as head coach for the 2026–27 season.[23] Craig, the head coach of the Golden Knights' AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, and previously an assistant coach with Vegas from 2017 to 2023, was named head coach on June 17.[24] |
(*) Indicates interim
Front office changes
| Off–season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | 2025–26 general manager | 2026–27 general manager | Notes |
| Colorado Avalanche | Chris MacFarland | Joe Sakic | On June 2, 2026, MacFarland departed the Avalanche to become president of hockey operations and general manager of the Nashville Predators.[25] Sakic, the Avalanche's president of hockey operations, and previously general manager from 2014 to 2022, re-assumed the role of general manager the same day.[26] |
| Detroit Red Wings | Steve Yzerman | Shawn Horcoff* | On July 15, 2026, the Red Wings announced that Yzerman would step down as general manager, instead becoming a senior advisor to owner Christopher Ilitch; however, he remained in the role until a successor was found.[27] Horcoff, the assistant general manager and general manager of the Red Wings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, was named interim general manager on September 15.[28] |
| Nashville Predators | Barry Trotz | Chris MacFarland | On February 2, 2026, Trotz announced his intention to retire as the Predators' general manager, instead serving as an advisor through the end of his contract; however, he stayed in the role until a successor was found.[29] MacFarland, most recently the general manager of the Colorado Avalanche, was named president of hockey operations and general manager on June 2.[25] |
| New Jersey Devils | Tom Fitzgerald | Sunny Mehta | Fitzgerald was fired on April 6, 2026, after the Devils began the season 40–34–3. Fitzgerald had served as the Devils' general manager since 2020, as well as president of hockey operations since 2024, overseeing two playoff berths in six completed seasons.[30] Mehta, most recently assistant general manager of the Florida Panthers, and formerly an executive with the Devils from 2014 to 2017, was named general manager on April 16.[31] |
| St. Louis Blues | Doug Armstrong | Alexander Steen | Armstrong was signed to a three-year contract extension on June 13, 2024, as the president of hockey operations for the Blues. Steen was also named as special assistant to the general manager at the same time through the 2025–26 season, with the intention to become the general manager of the Blues beginning with the 2026–27 season.[32] On April 24, 2026, the Blues formally confirmed that Steen would succeed Armstrong as general manager on July 1, with Armstrong remaining as president of hockey operations;[33] however, the Blues later announced on June 30 that Steen had officially begun his general manager duties that day.[34] |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Brad Treliving Ryan Hardy* Brandon Pridham* |
John Chayka | Treliving was fired on March 30, 2026, after the Maple Leafs began the season 31–30–13. Treliving had served as the Maple Leafs' general manager since 2023, overseeing playoff berths in his two completed seasons.[35] The following day, Toronto announced that assistant general managers Hardy and Pridham would serve as co-interim general managers for the remainder of the 2025–26 season.[36] Chayka, most recently general manager of the Arizona Coyotes from 2016 to 2020, was named general manager on May 3.[37] |
| Vancouver Canucks | Patrik Allvin | Ryan Johnson | On April 17, 2026, the day after the conclusion of the Canucks' season, Allvin was fired by the Canucks. Allvin had served as general manager since 2022, overseeing one playoff appearance.[38] Johnson, the assistant general manager, and general manager of the Canucks' AHL affiliate Abbotsford Canucks, was promoted to general manager on May 14.[39] |
(*) Indicates interim.
Arena changes
- This is planned to be the last season the Calgary Flames will play their home games at Scotiabank Saddledome before moving to Scotia Place.[40]
Regular season
The regular season began on September 29, 2026, and will end on April 10, 2027.[1][41]
International games
The Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes are scheduled to play two games against each other on November 12 and 14, 2026 at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki, Finland.[42] The Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators are scheduled to play two games against each other on December 18 and 20, 2026 at PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany.[43]
Outdoor games
The league has scheduled three outdoor games this season:
- The 2026 Heritage Classic is scheduled for October 25, at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, with the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Montreal Canadiens.[44]
- The 2027 NHL Winter Classic is scheduled for December 31, at Rice–Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, with the Utah Mammoth hosting the Colorado Avalanche.[45]
- The 2027 NHL Stadium Series is scheduled for February 20, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with the Dallas Stars hosting the Vegas Golden Knights.[46]
All-Star Game
The 2027 All-Star Game is scheduled for February 7 at UBS Arena at Elmont, New York, the home of the New York Islanders. The All-Star Game would be played for the first time since 2024. The league instead held the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, then the players participated in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The league originally planned a 2026 All-Star Game at UBS Arena as a "send-off" to the Olympics, but decided against it.[47]
Standings
Eastern Conference
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carolina Hurricanes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 1 |
| 2 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | New Jersey Devils | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Bruins | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 2 |
| 2 | Montreal Canadiens | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 2 |
| 3 | Florida Panthers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 2 |
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
| Pos | Div | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AT | Buffalo Sabres | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | AT | Detroit Red Wings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | ME | New York Islanders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | AT | Ottawa Senators | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | ME | Philadelphia Flyers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | ME | Pittsburgh Penguins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | AT | Tampa Bay Lightning | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | ME | Washington Capitals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | AT | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 0 |
| 10 | ME | New York Rangers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
Western Conference
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Avalanche | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Dallas Stars | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Minnesota Wild | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
| Pos | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vegas Golden Knights | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 2 |
| 2 | Vancouver Canucks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 2 |
| 3 | Edmonton Oilers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 1 |
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
| Pos | Div | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PA | Anaheim Ducks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | PA | Calgary Flames | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | PA | Los Angeles Kings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | CE | Nashville Predators | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | PA | San Jose Sharks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | PA | Seattle Kraken | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | CE | St. Louis Blues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | CE | Utah Mammoth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | CE | Winnipeg Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | CE | Chicago Blackhawks | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 0 |
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
Uniforms
Wholesale team changes
- The Calgary Flames re-introduced their home jerseys worn from 2003 to 2007 as alternate uniforms, paying tribute to the team's 2004 Stanley Cup Final run, replacing the black alternates worn from 2022 to 2026. It will be worn four times during the season against each team the Flames played against in that Stanley Cup Final run.[50][51]
- The New York Rangers re-introduced their navy blue third jerseys worn from 2023 to 2025, inspired by New York City, and featuring their shield logo as the crest. It will be worn four times during the season.[52]
"Hometown Remix" jerseys
On August 19, 2026, the league announced the "Hometown Remix" program, consisting of jerseys for all 32 teams meant to invoke the "fans, city, and local culture" of the franchises.[53]
Media rights
National
Canada
This will be the first season of a 12-year renewal to the NHL's Canadian broadcast rights with Rogers Sports & Media.[54] Both Amazon Prime Video and TVA Sports renewed their sub-licensing agreements with Rogers for the entire 12 years.[55][56]
However, CBC Sports will no longer sub-license NHL coverage from Rogers, ending the CBC's 74-year relationship with the league, announcing that it would replace Hockey Night in Canada with a new primetime sports block focusing on Canadian athletes. The CBC maintains ownership of the Hockey Night in Canada brand, and the broadcaster stated that it would use it in "different ways".[57]
- Linear television
- Saturday night games were rebranded as Saturday Night Hockey, and will continue to air across the four regional Sportsnet feeds, SN1, and SN360, with weekly doubleheaders featuring at least one Canadian team in each matchup.[58] Sportsnet would also be able to flex more regional games from its networks to national telecasts.[54][55][59] For the first time since the 2021–22 season, Sportsnet will have its own Tuesday opening-night doubleheader featuring Canadian teams (in previous seasons, the Tuesday opening-night only featured American teams for ESPN's U.S. media deal).[60] Citytv and Omni Television will also no longer carry broadcasts, ending all free-to-air television coverage of the NHL in Canada;[61] Sportsnet also confirmed the cancellation of Omni's Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition on August 14, 2026.[62]
- Under its new deal, TVA Sports will offer French-language broadcasts of up to 350 regular season games per season. The number of nationally-televised Montreal Canadiens regular games increases from 22 to 32, and includes the season opener and Monday night games, as well as Saturday night games. TVA will also continue to have the "tentpole" events and the playoffs.[56][63][64]
- Streaming
- Sportsnet+ takes over Monday Night Hockey from Amazon Prime Video. Monday Night Hockey and all national games aired on Sportsnet's linear channels will continue to be available on Sportsnet+'s Standard level, out-of-market games on the Premium level, and via authenticated streaming on participating teams.[54][58]
- Under its new deal, Amazon Prime Video takes over Wednesday Night Hockey from Sportsnet and will produce all its games in both English and French, succeeding its previous Monday Night Hockey package.[55][65]
- Postseason
Under the new sub-licensing deal, first- and second-round games will be split between Sportsnet and Amazon Prime Video. During the first round, Sportsnet will have the first three choices of which series to televise, Amazon Prime Video will have the fourth and fifth choices, and Sportsnet will have the remaining three series. Sportsnet will then have the first two picks of which second-round series to air, and Amazon Prime Video will pick third, and Sportsnet will air the fourth and final series. Sportsnet will exclusively televise the conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final.[65]
TVA Sports will continue to produce French-language versions of all Montreal Canadiens playoff games as well as all the series produced by Sportsnet. Amazon Prime Video may only produce French-language versions of its playoff games if they do not involve the Canadiens.[63]
United States
This will be the sixth season of the league's seven-year U.S. national broadcast rights deals with the ESPN family of networks and TNT Sports.[66]
- Linear television
- ESPN continues to have the opening day tripleheader before airing games on select days throughout the regular season as its schedule permits, primarily on Tuesdays and Thursdays. ESPN also has Sunday night doubleheaders on four select weekends between late February and April. ABC's Hockey Saturday has 16 regular season games on free-to-air television across select weekends between January and April, including one doubleheader, three tripleheaders, a Saturday afternoon game on January 16 prior to the NFL Wild Card games, and a special Sunday afternoon edition on January 31 prior to the NFL Conference Championship games, and the Stadium Series, marking the first time since 2024 that the outdoor game will be on ABC instead of ESPN. ESPN and ABC will also have the All-Star skills competition and the All-Star Game, respectively.[67][68][69]
- TNT continues to primarily carry Wednesday night games throughout the regular season, select Tuesday and Thursday games when the linear ESPN network does not have games, the Thanksgiving Showdown, the Winter Classic, and a Martin Luther King Jr. Day doubleheader. This season, the network will also have a Friday doubleheader on opening week, and one Monday game on November 16. TNT's Sunday schedule this season includes the Heritage Classic in October, five consecutive weekends in February and March, and the last Sunday of the regular season in April. The March 21 game in particular would mark the first time under its contract that TNT will have the NHL instead of two of the Sunday night Round of 32 NCAA March Madness games (TNT will still avoid conflicting with the March Madness Regional Finals on March 28). Some of TNT's games may be simulcast on TruTV. TBS may be used as an overflow channel. Not all of TNT Sports' regular season games will be exclusive broadcasts and are subject to blackout in local markets.[70][71][72]
- NHL Network will continue to televise games when the other national broadcasters are not airing games and will again primarily simulcast local coverage.
- Streaming
- The ESPN app will continue to stream games depending on the tier. ESPN+ (the ESPN app's Select plan) will have 47 exclusive games on select days throughout this season, primarily on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the linear ESPN network does not have games. Disney+ will join Hulu this season in simulcasting ESPN+'s exclusive games. ESPN+ will also continue to have the NHL Power Play out-of-market package, and on-demand replays of every concluded NHL game regardless of broadcaster. The ESPN app's higher Unlimited plan will continue to include the live streaming of the linear ESPN Networks and ABC's games.[67][69]
- HBO Max ad-free tiers will stream all TNT Sports-produced games.[70]
- Postseason
First- and second-round games will be split between ESPN-produced telecasts (either on ESPN, ABC, or ESPN2) and TNT Sports-produced telecasts (either on TNT or TBS, with selected simulcasts on TruTV). Each U.S. team's regional broadcaster will also televise local coverage of first-round games, except for any game on ABC.[66][67][70]
The ESPN networks will have the first choice of which conference final series to air, and TNT Sports will broadcast the other conference finals. As per the alternating rotation, TNT will air the Stanley Cup Final for the third and last time under its seven-year contract.[66][67][70]
Radio
This will be the fourth season of the league's six-year deal with SiriusXM and SiriusXM Canada to simulcast all 32 teams' local regular season and postseason broadcasts.[73]
Local
Folding of FanDuel Sports Network
Due to continued financial difficulties, FanDuel Sports Network wound down operations after the 2025–26 season, affecting seven teams.[74][75][76]
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman initially stated that the league was not interested in setting up a centralized production and distribution hub like MLB Local Media.[77] However, on July 21, 2026, Sports Business Journal reported that the league was in the process of developing a production hub as part of its NHL Productions division, to be led by former MLB Network president Rob McGlarry. Unlike MLB Local Media, teams would only have to cover production costs, and the league would provide flexibility for control of advertising inventory and distribution models.[78] The Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, and Minnesota Wild were announced as the first four teams utilizing the production hub model.[79][80]
- The Detroit Red Wings announced an agreement with MLB Local Media to produce and distribute their games, in conjunction with its broadcast arrangements for the co-owned Detroit Tigers.[81][82] Games will air via local television providers on the Detroit SportsNet channel, with direct-to-consumer streaming available via the MLB app.[83][84][85]
- The Los Angeles Kings renewed with FanDuel Sports Network West for the 2026–27 season after the channel was acquired by MLB's Los Angeles Angels in March 2026; the channel was later renamed "Angels Broadcast Television", continuing its operations as a team-owned network.[86][87] In September 2026, the Angels announced an agreement to sell the team to Colorado Avalanche owner Stan Kroenke, which owns the Denver-based RSN Altitude Sports and Entertainment.[88] Later in September, the Kings announced a standalone direct-to-consumer streaming service through DAZN.[89]
- The Nashville Predators announced a multi-year deal with Scripps Sports, with WNPX serving as the team's flagship station, and games streaming on a direct-to-consumer platform to be announced.[90]
- The Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, and Minnesota Wild moved to a direct-to-distributor model in partnership with the NHL and Amazon Prime Video.[91][92][79] Each team will distribute their games via agreements with local television providers (with services branded as the Blue Jackets Hockey Network, Hurricanes Hockey Network, and Wild+), with selected games airing on broadcast television, and DTC services available via the Amazon Prime Video platform; these services are standalone and will not require an Amazon Prime subscription.[93][94][95][96]
- Matrix Midwest acquired rights to two of the Blues' preseason games.[97]
- The Hurricanes will air a package of games on WRAL-TV and WRAZ, primarily on Saturday nights.[98]
Others
- The Montreal Canadiens renewed their regional rights with Bell Media's RDS (French) and TSN2 (English) under a multi-year deal of unspecified length.[99][100]
- The Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars did not renew their regional rights with Victory+.[101][102] On September 2, 2026, Amazon Prime Video announced that it would also acquire the regional rights to the Ducks and Stars; their games will be available on the platform to Amazon Prime subscribers within the teams' respective markets, and both teams will maintain the broadcast television packages they had under Victory+ (with the Ducks continuing to air 65 games on KCOP-TV as in previous seasons, and the Stars maintaining a package of 17 games). Both teams will be served by the NHL production hub.[91][92][103][79]
- DAZN agreed to become the direct-to-consumer streaming platform for MSG Network, the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and New York Rangers' local broadcast partner, replacing the Gotham Sports App.[104] After acquiring its operator ViewLift Media from Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, Monumental Sports Network's streaming platform Monumental+ will also become available on DAZN.[105]
Personnel
- TV analyst Eddie Olczyk stepped down from his duties with the Seattle Kraken after four seasons. However, he will continue with his role as lead analyst on TNT's NHL broadcasts.[106]
- On July 29, 2026, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that they would part ways with their radio play-by-play announcer Bob McElligott after 17 years; the team will switch to using a simulcast of the television commentary.[107]
Radio
- On July 7, 2026, Rogers Sports & Media closed six news and sports stations nationwide as part of cutbacks, including the Calgary Flames' home of 960 CFAC and the Vancouver Canucks' home of 650 CISL.[108]
- Rogers retained the rights to the Canucks, and announced that their broadcasts would move to 104.9/107.5/92.5 Kiss West Coast.[108][109]
- On August 12, 2026, the Calgary Flames announced that they would move to 770 CHQR under a five-year deal with Corus Radio.[110]
Personnel
- The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that Todd Crocker will replace Joe Bowen as the team's radio play-by-play announcer. Crocker previously served 13 seasons as the voice of the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.[111]
- The Anaheim Ducks announced that Aaron Cooney will replace Steve Carroll as the team's radio play-by-play announcer. Cooney previously served three seasons as the voice of the Ducks' AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls.[112]
International
- The international streaming service NHL.TV will be available in around 200 countries on DAZN.[113][114]
- For the ninth consecutive season, the NHL Saturday and NHL Sunday package of regular season games will air across selected European broadcasters.[115][116]
- ESPN will additionally air its slate of games in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania and the Netherlands, and will air games through Disney+ in select markets in Asia and Europe.[117]