NHL on ESPN explained

Genre:NHL hockey telecasts
Alt Name:ESPN Hockey Night
ESPN+ Hockey Night
ESPN National Hockey Night (1992–2004)
Runtime:180 minutes or until the end of the game
Num Seasons:18
Starring:Sean McDonough
Ray Ferraro
Emily Kaplan
Bob Wischusen
Ryan Callahan
Leah Hextall
Mike Monaco
A. J. Mleczko
Blake Bolden
Dave Jackson
Steve Levy
Mark Messier
P. K. Subban
John Buccigross
Kevin Weekes
Roxy Bernstein
Cassie Campbell-Pascall
Arda Ocal
Country:United States
Language:English
Location:Various NHL arenas
ESPN's Bristol, CT studios
Company:ESPN
Camera:Multi-camera
Theme Music Composer:Bob Christianson[1]
Network:ESPN (1979–1982, 1985–1988, 1992–2004, 2021–present)
ABC (1993–1994, 2000–2004, 2021–present)
ESPN2 (1993–2004, 2022–present)
ESPN+ (2018–present)
Hulu (2021–present)
ESPNU (2022–present)

ESPNEWS (2022–present)
Related:NHL on ABC
The Point
In the Crease
NHL on TNT
TSN Hockey
NHL on Sportsnet/Hockey Night in Canada

The broadcasts of National Hockey League (NHL) games produced by ESPN have been shown on its various platforms in the United States, including ESPN itself, ABC, ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, and Hulu. Since 2021, games have been broadcast under the ESPN Hockey Night branding, while those on ESPN+ have used the ESPN+ Hockey Night branding.

ESPN first televised NHL games in the season, initially by sub-contracting rights from individual franchises. After the NHL shifted to only having one exclusive rightsholder, ESPN acquired the NHL's national television rights in 1985 to replace USA Network (which had previously aired NHL games in parallel with ESPN). ESPN lost the rights to SportsChannel America in 1988.

ESPN regained the NHL's U.S. television rights from 1992 through the 1999–2000 season, with the coverage branded under the blanket title ESPN National Hockey Night. ESPN also sub-licensed a package of network television broadcasts to ABC (sister via ESPN parent The Walt Disney Company) under the NHL on ABC branding until 1994, when the NHL sold a broadcast television package to Fox Sports. In 1999, ESPN renewed its contract through the 2004–05 NHL season, with ABC returning as broadcast television rightsholder to replace Fox.

The 2004–05 season was canceled due to a lockout of the NHL Players Association. ESPN had reached a two-year agreement to serve as cable rightsholder in a reduced capacity beginning in the 2005–06 season (with a smaller package of regular season games and playoff coverage primarily on ESPN2, and the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals), alongside new broadcast rightsholder NBC. After the lockout, ESPN opted out of the contract. They were instead acquired by Comcast, with telecasts moving to Versus (later renamed NBCSN); it held the cable rights (which were later unified with NBC's broadcast television rights after Comcast's purchase of NBC Universal) through the 2020–21 season.[2]

On March 10, 2021, the NHL announced that it would return to ESPN networks under a seven-year contract beginning in the 2021–22 season. ESPN's subscription streaming service ESPN+ provides the majority of the network's regular season NHL coverage, carrying a package of exclusive national games, and holding streaming rights to all out-of-market games (replacing the NHL.tv service). ESPN also broadcasts a package of games. ESPN and ESPN2 share coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs with TNT and TBS — which also includes exclusive rights to the Stanley Cup Finals for ABC in even-numbered years.

History

Early years: 1979–1982 and 1985–1988

ESPN initially covered the NHL during the, [3] and [4] seasons by making deals with individual teams.[5] This included eleven Hartford Whalers home broadcasts in 1980–81 and 25 the following year.[6] Branded as ESPN Hockey, Sam Rosen,[7] Barry Landers, and Joe Boyle were employed as play-by-play announcers.[8] Pete Stemkowski was the lead color commentator.[9] [10] During the opening round of the 1982 playoffs, ESPN broadcast Game 4 of the series between the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins and Game 2 of the series between Minnesota North Stars-Chicago Black Hawks,[11] with Sam Rosen and Pete Stemkowski on the call. In the season prior, the pair called Games 3 and 4 of the playoff series between the St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins.

During this time, USA also broadcast National Hockey League games. To prevent overexposure, the NHL decided to grant only one network exclusive rights. In April 1982, USA outbid ESPN for the NHL's American national television cable package ($8 million for two years).[12] [13] In 1984, the NHL asked ESPN for a bid, but then gave USA the right to match it, which it did.

After the 1984–85 season, the NHL Board of Governors chose to have USA Network and ESPN submit sealed bids. ESPN won by bidding nearly $25 million for three years, about twice as much as the USA had been paying. The contract called for ESPN to air up to 33 regular season games each season as well as the NHL All-Star Game and the Stanley Cup playoffs.[14] [15] The network chose Dan Kelly and Sam Rosen to be the network's first play-by-play announcers, Mickey Redmond and Brad Park were selected to be the analysts, and Tom Mees and Jim Kelly were chosen to serve as studio hosts. ESPN designated Sundays as ESPN Hockey Night in America, but also aired select midweek telecasts. ESPN aired its first game, an opening-night matchup between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers, on October 10, 1985.[16] [17]

At the end of the season, ESPN lost the NHL television rights to SportsChannel America, who paid $51 million ($17 million per year) over three years, more than double what ESPN had paid ($24 million) for the previous three years.[18] [19] [20] [21] SportsChannel America managed to get a fourth NHL season for just $5 million.[22] [23] [24] [25] [26] SportsChannel America was only available in a few major markets (notably absent though were Detroit, Pittsburgh and St. Louis[27])[28] [29] [30] and reached only a 1/3 of the households that ESPN did at the time.[31] [32] [33] In the first year of the deal, SportsChannel America was available in only 7 million homes, compared to ESPN's reach of 50 million.[34] By the 1991–92 season, ESPN was available in 60.5 million homes, whereas SportsChannel America was available in only 25 million.[35] [36] [37]

Second return to ESPN and ABC's involvement: 1992–1999

When the SportsChannel deal ended in 1992, the league returned to ESPN for another contract that would pay US$80 million over five years.[4] [38] [39] Until the 2001–02 NHL season, weekly regular season games were broadcast on Sundays (between NFL and baseball seasons), Wednesdays,[40] and Fridays, and were titled Sunday/Wednesday/Friday Night Hockey. Before 1999, these telecasts were non-exclusive, meaning they were blacked out in the regions of the competing teams, and an alternate game was shown in these affected areas.

During the Stanley Cup playoffs, ESPN and ESPN2 provided almost nightly coverage, often carrying games on both channels concurrently.[41] Games in the first two rounds were non-exclusive, while telecasts in the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals[42] [43] [44] were exclusive (except in 1993[45] and 1994). Beginning in the 1993 - 94 season, up to five games per week were also shown on ESPN2, branded as NHL Fire on Ice.[46]

Sister broadcast network ABC also aired NHL games during the first two seasons of the contract, in the league's first network television broadcasts since NBC's previous contract in the 1970s.[47] In the first season, this included selected playoff games,[48] [49] and later expanded to include a package of regular season games in the second season.[50] These telecasts were produced by ESPN and were officially considered to be time-buys on ABC by ESPN Inc. This arrangement ended in the 1994–95 season, when the NHL began a new contract with Fox as its broadcast television partner.[51]

Final years, and including ABC full-time: 1999–2004

In 1998, ESPN renewed its contract through 2004 for $600 million, beginning in the 1999–2000 season. Under the new contract, ESPN was permitted two exclusive telecasts per team per season, while ABC would also return as broadcast television rightsholder to replace Fox.[52] [53] [54] [55]

ESPN's terms of the deal included: up to 200 games a year split between ESPN and ESPN2, the All-Star Skills Challenge, the majority of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals, while ABC's terms included: rights to the NHL All-Star Game, 4 to 5 weeks of regular season action, with three games a week, 6 weekends of Stanley Cup Playoff action, and the rest of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Beginning in 1999–2000 season, ESPN was permitted two exclusive telecasts per team per season. When ESPN started broadcasting NBA games on Wednesday and Friday nights in 2002, the weekly hockey broadcasts were moved to Thursday and the broadcasts were renamed to ESPN Thursday Night Hockey.

Following the 2003–04 season, ESPN was only willing to renew its contract for two additional years at $60 million per year.[56] ABC refused to televise the Stanley Cup Finals in prime time, suggesting that the Finals games it would telecast be played on weekend afternoons (including a potential Game 7). Disney executives later conceded that they overpaid for the 1999–2004 deal, so the company's offer to renew the television rights was lower in 2004.[57]

Before the 2004–05 lockout, the NHL had reached two separate deals with NBC (who would replace ABC as the NHL's national U.S. broadcast television partner) and ESPN.[58] [59] [60] ESPN offered the NHL $60 million to renew its contract, carrying about 40 games (only fifteen of which would be during the regular season), mostly on ESPN2.[61] [62] [63] [64] [65] However, ESPN opted out of the contract following the lockout, and the NHL reopened negotiations; Comcast offered over $200 million for a three-season deal to air games on OLN (a channel that was later rebranded as Versus to reflect its expansion from an outdoor recreation format to mainstream sports),[66] which ESPN declined to match.[67] [68] After Comcast acquired a majority stake in NBC Universal in 2011, it renewed both the broadcast television and cable rights to the league via NBC Sports through the 2020–21 season.[69]

World Cup of Hockey: 2016

Long after losing their broadcasting rights to the NHL, ESPN served as the U.S. broadcaster of the NHL-backed 2016 World Cup of Hockey, as NBC declined due to programming conflicts.[70] [71] For the tournament, ESPN named Steve Levy and Barry Melrose as the lead broadcast team, while adding Kevin Weekes from NHL Network, Leah Hextall from Sportsnet, NHL Hall of Famers Chris Chelios and Brett Hull to their roster.[72] ESPN also named NHL Hall of Famers Chris Chelios and Brett Hull as their studio analyst.

Additionally, ESPN brought back current St. Louis Blues color commentator Darren Pang, who was the network's secondary color commentator from 1999 to 2004, for their coverage, as an ice-level reporter for select games.[73] John Saunders, who had hosted ESPN and ABC's NHL coverage from 1987 to 1988 and again from 1992 to 2004, was tapped to lead the studio coverage, however, due to his unexpected death a month after ESPN announced their complete roster,[74] Cohn, who was originally going to do features for ESPN, was tapped to replace Saunders.[75]

ESPN+ involvement: 2018–present

After its 2018 launch, ESPN's subscription streaming service ESPN+ added an NHL studio program, a free daily regular season game courtesy of NHL.tv (which is operated by Disney subsidiary BAMTech), and a Stanley Cup Playoffs documentary series (replacing one produced as part of Showtime's All Access franchise).[76] As part of the NHL.tv deal, ESPN+ started a nightly hockey show, In the Crease, hosted by Linda Cohn and Barry Melrose.[77]

Third return to ESPN and ABC: 2021–present

In the years before the end of NBC's latest contract with the NHL, the league explored options for splitting its national broadcast rights, similar to the television deals of the NFL, NBA and MLB. This included selling packages to streaming services, aiming to maximize the value of its broadcast rights.[78] On March 10, 2021, Disney, ESPN, and the NHL announced that a seven-year agreement was reached for ESPN to hold the first half of its new media rights beginning in the 2021–22 season;[79] [80] [81] [82] [83] [84] [85] [86]

On May 10, 2021, TSN's Ray Ferraro (who previously worked for ESPN from 2002 to 2004), and NBC's Brian Boucher signed with ESPN/ABC to become their top hockey analysts. On May 17, ESPN hired former Calgary Flames studio host Leah Hextall to be a regular play-by-play announcer on NHL broadcasts. She is the first woman in league history to hold that role. Hextall previously worked the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and has worked the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament for ESPN.[95]

On June 9, 2021, ESPN announced that current New Jersey Devils defenseman P. K. Subban would be a studio analyst for the remainder of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, making his debut on SportsCenter that day.[96] The same day, Craig Morgan, Arizona-based reporter on the Arizona Coyotes and NHL Network correspondent, reported that ESPN had added NBC's Ryan Callahan and A. J. Mleczko to their analyst roster, and that NHL Network's Kevin Weekes, who also worked for ESPN during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, was in talks to return to ESPN in an analyst/reporter role.[97]

On June 24, ESPN/ABC officially announced that six-time Stanley Cup Champion Mark Messier had signed a multi-year deal to join ESPN in a studio analyst role.[98] [99] [100] Messier's signing was the first announced signing made by ESPN, and potentially was made as a counter to TNT signing Messier's former teammate Wayne Gretzky, who was also recruited by ESPN. On June 28, Marchand reported that three-time Stanley Cup Champion Chris Chelios would also join ESPN/ABC as a studio analyst.[101] The same day, The Athletic reported that current Hockey Night in Canada color commentator/reporter Cassie Campbell-Pascall would also join the network.[102]

ESPN formally confirmed its commentator teams on June 29, 2021. ESPN's college football #2 play-by-play man Sean McDonough would be the network's lead play-by-play announcer; Monday Night Football's Steve Levy would lead studio coverage and contribute to occasional play-by-play commentary. Hextall and Wischusen were officially named as play-by-play commentators, as well as SportsCenter's John Buccigross, who would also contribute as an alternate studio host, and serve as the host for The Point. ESPN legend Barry Melrose, Messier, and Chelios were named strictly as studio analysts while Ferraro, Boucher, Weekes, Campbell-Pascall, Callahan, Mleczko, ESPN New York's Rick DiPietro, and 2018 gold medalist Hilary Knight would contribute as booth, ice-level, and studio analysts. 2016 Isobel Cup champion Blake Bolden was added to join insiders Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski as insiders and rinkside reporters. Linda Cohn continued her duties hosting In the Crease, while also gaining roles as a rinkside reporter, backup studio, and game break host. On August 4, 2021, ESPN announced that they added the most recent Blue Jackets head coach and Stanley Cup-winning head coach John Tortorella as an extra studio analyst.[103] [104]

On September 16, after ESPN released their slate of games for the 2021–22 season, SportsCenter anchor and ESPN Social host Arda Ocal announced that he too would host select game broadcasts.[105] On October 2, former referee Dave Jackson joined the network as a rules analyst, an NHL first.[106] Early into the 2021–22 season, ESPN added former NBC analyst Dominic Moore, who had hosted the Expansion Draft with Weekes and ESPN College Football personality Chris Fowler. Laura Rutledge, host of NFL Live and SEC Nation, joined the NHL on ESPN team for their coverage of the 2022 NHL All-Star Game, in a celebrity interviewer role. After preparing for and playing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Knight made her ESPN debut on the March 10, 2022, episode of "The Point", coincidentally on the first anniversary of ESPN regaining the rights to broadcast the NHL. Bolden, who has been working as a pro scout for the Los Angeles Kings since 2020, made her official ESPN on-air debut a week later. After the regular season kicked into high gear, Knight and Bolden were the only two who still had to make their on-air debuts with ESPN.

Occasionally, other well-known ESPN personalities like Jeremy Schaap, Kevin Connors, Michael Eaves, and Max McGee will be added in fill-in roles on The Point and In the Crease. Mike Monaco, Roxy Bernstein, and Caley Chelios, daughter of Chris, have also filled in on game coverage. Subban and TSN's Gord Miller, Ferraro's broadcast partner for Maple Leafs games on TSN, joined ESPN for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tortorella left ESPN after their first season to become the new head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.[107] After holding two stints with ESPN during the playoffs, the network announced that Subban would be joining their coverage full-time beginning with the 2022–23 season, holding both studio analyst and color commentator roles. This came after his most recent retirement announcement.[108] [109] [110]

ESPN also confirmed that Spanish language coverage of the NHL would air on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Latin America. Kenneth Garay and Eitán Benezra would be the main play-by-play commentators, while Carlos Rossell and Antonio Valle contribute analysis and color commentary.[111] Rigoberto Plascencia was later added as another play-by-play announcer.

For the 2021–22 season, ESPN aired 18 games (billed as ESPN Hockey Night),[112] while 75 exclusive national games per season would be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.[88] For the 2021–22 season, most of these games (billed as ESPN+ Hockey Night) aired on Tuesday and Thursday nights, with selected games on Friday nights. These games were also available to Hulu subscribers. ESPN's first broadcasts were an opening night doubleheader, with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the defending Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Seattle Kraken at the Vegas Golden Knights in the Kraken's first regular-season game in franchise history.[113]

Typically, games aired on ESPN, excluding ESPN+ games, are simulcast in Canada on the Sportsnet channels, using the ESPN feed. However, on January 17, 2022, TSN, which is partly owned by ESPN, simulcast the ESPN+ feed of the Arizona Coyotes–Montreal Canadiens game because of a huge snowstorm in Canada, which prevented the Canadiens' broadcast team from traveling south to Glendale to broadcast the game.

For the 2022–23 season, out-of-market games on ESPN+ – which did not carry any specific branding in the inaugural season – were branded as "NHL Power Play on ESPN+". ESPN (34) and ESPN2 (1) aired a combined at least 35 games (billed as ESPN Hockey Night), while ABC aired 15 games under the ABC Hockey Saturday package, which consisted of 4 doubleheaders, the 2023 NHL Stadium Series, and one late-season tripleheader beginning the weekend after the All-Star break.

On May 14, 2023, ESPN was widely criticized[114] for its decision to implement a split screen between its coverage of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoff series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers and a Sunday Night Baseball telecast between the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox, which was being played at the same time and was ultimately won by St. Louis by the score of 9-1.[115]

For the 2023–24 season, ESPN+/Hulu airs at least 50 exclusive games. Among linear broadcasts, 19 games aired on ABC, featuring four double-headers, both NHL Stadium Series games, and two triple-headers on February 17 and April 13. ABC will also air the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. ABC Hockey Saturday for this season began on January 13, preceding Super Wild Card Saturday of the NFL playoffs, unlike past years when its slate began after the NHL All-Star Game, and ESPN air the rest.[90]

On June 5, 2023, it was announced that Chelios' contract would not be renewed[116] as part of Disney's $5.5 billion cost cutting.[117] On September 12, 2023, TNT hired Brian Boucher away from ESPN to serve as Keith Jones' replacement on the top team, thus reuniting with former NBC partners Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk.[118] On October 10, 2023, ESPN announced that Barry Melrose would retire from the network to spend more time with his family after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.[119] [120] [121] [122] [123] On December 19, 2023, Campbell-Pascall accepted a new position as a special advisor role with the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). Although she had left Sportsnet, she will remain with ESPN/ABC.[124]

Alternate broadcasts

See also: ESPN Megacast. Since the beginning of ESPN's current NHL contract, the network has occasionally presented alternate broadcasts of games on ESPN+, including "Star Watch" (which featured camera angles focused on specific star players),[125] "IceCast" (which featured a higher camera angle and on-screen statistics),[126] and "All-12" (an alternate camera angle of the entire ice during the 2023 NHL Stadium Series game, inspired by ESPN's "All-22" feeds for college football).[127] In a similar approach to the FoxTrax glowing puck from the '90s, ESPN produced a "Puck Possessor" visual identifier altcast for select ABC games. This broadcast, which takes the main feed and focuses on who has the puck during games, is broadcast on ESPN+, along with the traditional ABC broadcast.

On March 14, 2023, ESPN presented an alternate youth-oriented broadcast of that night's Washington Capitals–New York Rangers game known as the NHL Big City Greens Classic, simulcast on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney+ and ESPN+;[128] the broadcast leveraged the league's player and puck tracking system to render a real-time 3D animated perspective of the game based on the Disney Channel animated series Big City Greens.[129]

On October 24, 2023, ESPN+ and ESPN2 aired Frozen Frenzy, a whiparound broadcast (similar to NFL RedZone) carrying live look-ins on all games occurring that night. All 32 NHL teams played games that night, with all games having staggered start times, and a tripleheader on ESPN.[130] [131]

ESPN brought back the NHL Big City Greens Classic for the March 9, 2024 broadcast of that day's Pittsburgh Penguins-Boston Bruins game, the second half of an ABC Hockey Saturday doubleheader. Like the Capitals-Rangers game last year, this broadcast was simulcast on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney+ and ESPN+, and featured the same real-time 3D animated perspective based on Big City Greens.[132] [133]

On-air staff

See main article: List of NHL on ESPN personalities.

Current personalities

Studio hosts

  1. Steve Levy: studio host (1993–2004), lead studio host and alternate "The Point" host (2021–present), play-by-play (1993–2004, 2021–present)[134] [135] [136]
  2. John Buccigross: alternate studio host (1998–2004, 2021–present), "The Point" host and play-by-play (2021–present)
  3. Arda Ocal: alternate studio and "The Point" host (2021–present); rinkside reporter (2024–present)
  4. Leah Hextall: #2 rinkside reporter (2021–present); alternate studio host (2024–present); play-by-play (2021–2023)

The Point hosts

  1. John Buccigross: alternate studio host (1998–2004, 2021–present), "The Point" host and play-by-play (2021–present)
  2. Arda Ocal: alternate studio and "The Point" host (2021–present); rinkside reporter (2024–present)
  3. Steve Levy: lead studio host and alternate "The Point" host (2021–present), play-by-play (1993–2004, 2021–present) [134] [135] [136]

Studio analysts

  1. Mark Messier: lead studio analyst/color commentator (2021–present)[98] [137] [138]
  2. P. K. Subban: lead studio analyst/color commentator (2022–present)
  3. Kevin Weekes: color commentator, rinkside reporter, studio analyst, and insider (2021–present)
  4. Ryan Callahan: color commentator/ice-level analyst/studio analyst (2021–present)
  5. A. J. Mleczko: color commentator/ice-level analyst/studio analyst (2021–present)
  6. Ray Ferraro: studio analyst (2002–2004, 2024–present), lead ice-level analyst (2021–present)[139]
  7. Meghan Chayka: analytics and draft expert (2022–present)

Play-by-play

  1. Sean McDonough: play-by-play (1993–1994, 1999–2000, 2002–2004), lead play-by-play (2021–present)[140] [141]
  2. Bob Wischusen: #2 play-by-play (2021–present)
  3. Mike Monaco: #3 play-by-play (2022–present)
  4. Steve Levy: studio host (1993–2004), lead studio host, alternate "The Point", and "In the Crease" host (2021–present), #4 play-by-play (1993–2004, 2021–present) [134] [135] [136]
  5. John Buccigross: alternate studio host (1998–2004, 2021–present), "The Point" host, and #5 play-by-play (2021–present)
  6. Roxy Bernstein: play-by-play (2022–present)
  7. Drew Carter: NHL Big City Greens Classic play-by-play (2023–present)

Color commentators (booth and ice-level)

  1. Ray Ferraro: studio analyst (2002–2004, 2024–present), lead color commentator/ice-level analyst (2021–present)[139]
  2. Ryan Callahan: color commentator/ice-level analyst/studio analyst (2021–present); #2 color commentator (2024–present)
  3. A. J. Mleczko: #3 color commentator/studio analyst (2021–present)
  4. Kevin Weekes: color commentator, rinkside reporter, studio analyst, insider, and The Point host (2021–present)
  5. Cassie Campbell-Pascall: color commentator (2021–present)
  6. Mark Messier: lead studio analyst/color commentator (2021–present)
  7. P. K. Subban: lead studio analyst/color commentator (2022–present)

Rinkside reporters

  1. Emily Kaplan: insider and lead rinkside reporter (2021–present)
  2. Leah Hextall: #2 rinkside reporter (2021–present); alternate studio host (2024–present); play-by-play (2021–2023)
  3. Kevin Weekes: color commentator, rinkside reporter, studio analyst, and insider (2021–present)
  4. Blake Bolden: contributor (2022–present); rinkside reporter (2023–present)
  5. Arda Ocal: alternate studio and "The Point" host (2021–present); rinkside reporter (2024–present)

Rules analyst

  1. Dave Jackson – rules analyst (2021–present)[142] [143]

Insiders

  1. Emily Kaplan: insider, lead ice-level analyst, and reporter (2021–present)
  2. Greg Wyshynski: insider (2021–present)
  3. Kevin Weekes: color commentator, ice-level reporter, studio analyst, insider, fill-in studio, and "The Point" host (2021–present)

Ratings

See main article: Ratings for The NHL on ESPN.

!Year!Event!Date!Network!Viewers
2021-22NHL Expansion DraftJuly 21, 2021ESPN2637,000
NHL DraftJuly 23, 2021268,000
Penguins vs LightningOctober 12, 2021ESPN983,000[144]
Kraken vs Golden Knights783,000

Notes and References

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  4. Web site: Clark. Cammy. NHL okays ESPN deal. Tampa Bay Times. September 3, 1992. February 9, 2016.
  5. News: Cable Tightrope for Sox, Bruins; Teams Must Balance Broadcasts to Keep Audience But Make Money. June 27, 1982. Jack. Craig. Boston Globe. 1.
  6. News: Craig. Jack. Whaler cable plan has Bruins upset. The Boston Globe. June 7, 1981.
  7. News: David J. Halberstam. Halberstam. David J.. March 27, 2018. Sam Rosen: 21 Years Covering the NFL on Fox and 34 Seasons as Voice of the NY Rangers. Sports Broadcast Journal.
  8. News: Agness. Scott. December 11, 2013. Joe Boyle on Dick Vitale and His Son. NBA.
  9. News: Rosen . Ron . March 25, 1982 . Penalty Box Looms for Ex-NHLer . . February 9, 2016.
  10. Web site: Former New York Rangers' hockey player Peter Stemkowski was... - UPI Archives . 2023-10-15 . UPI . en.
  11. Web site: Sports Briefs. . March 25, 1982. February 9, 2016.
  12. News: Craig. Jack. Now they're playing Cable Wars. The Boston Globe. May 8, 1982.
  13. Getting Down To Business. January 24, 1983. William. Taaffe. Sports Illustrated. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143048/http://www.si.com/vault/1983/01/24/625121/getting-down-to-business. April 27, 2015.
  14. News: Strachan. Al. ESPN acquires NHL games Backroom bickering in TV deal. The Globe and Mail. July 30, 1985.
  15. News: Mulligan. Kevin. NHL Finds a Home at ESPN. Philadelphia Daily News. July 26, 1985.
  16. Web site: Sarni . Jim . October 10, 1985 . ESPN Breaks the Ice for Sports Fans With Caps-Rangers Game Thursday . February 9, 2016 . Sun-Sentinel.
  17. Web site: Archives . L. A. Times . September 20, 1985 . Stockton, Walker Get a Break as Big Call Goes Their Way . 2023-10-10 . Los Angeles Times . 3 . en-US.
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  19. Shooting Star. March 18, 1991. Richard. Demak. Sports Illustrated.
  20. News: November 26, 1988. NHL and Sportschannel: More Is Less. Chad. Norman. February 9, 2016. Washington Post.
  21. Book: Bass, Alan. The Great Expansion: The Ultimate Risk That Changed the Nhl Forever. 25 January 2011. iUniverse. 9781450286077. 198.
  22. Book: Gatehouse, Jonathon. October 2012. The Instigator: How Gary Bettman Remade the NHL and Changed the Game Forever. Triumph Books. 158. 9781623686567.
  23. Web site: Nidetz. Steve. NHL Feels Pinch in TV Deal. Chicago Tribune. October 4, 1991. February 9, 2016.
  24. Book: Moshavi, Sharon D.. January 13, 1992. BC-1992-01-13.pdf. 78.
  25. Web site: Lack of TV contract doesn't shake up NHL. . September 22, 1991. February 9, 2016.
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  27. News: Strachan. Al. March 15, 2005. NHL needs a TV partner. https://web.archive.org/web/20191103093933/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Columnists/Strachan/2005/03/15/961494.html. dead. November 3, 2019. Toronto Sun.
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  30. Book: Staudohar, Paul D.. 31 May 2018. Playing for Dollars: Labor Relations and the Sports Business. Cornell University Press. 138. 9781501717857.
  31. Book: Staudohar, Paul D. . Playing for dollars: labor relations and the sports business . 1996 . Cornell University Press . 137 . 9780801483424 . registration .
  32. A Better Open; Too Much Brent. June 27, 1988. Sports Illustrated. William. Taaffe.
  33. Web site: Ryan. Bob. Underexposed NHL needs to write Dear John letter to Ziegler. Baltimore Sun. October 3, 1991. February 9, 2016.
  34. Greenberg. Jay. October 7, 1991. Greed, Indeed. Sports Illustrated.
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  42. News: September 13, 1994. Fox, ESPN ink deals with NHL. UPI.
  43. News: In Stanley Cup Faceoff, Fox, ESPN Play to a Draw. Leonard. Sharpio. Washington Post. June 11, 1998. February 9, 2016.
  44. Web site: ESPN's Clement feels Caps' pain, revels in success. Milton. Kent. Baltimore Sun. June 11, 1998. February 9, 2016.
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  52. Web site: Fox Probably Grateful to Ice the Puck. Jeff . Goldberg . . April 23, 1999. February 9, 2016.
  53. Web site: Final meltdown of relationship between Fox, NHL begins today. Milton Kent (Baltimore Sun) . June 8, 1999. February 9, 2016.
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  58. News: Umstead. R. Thomas. August 31, 1998. ESPN Lands $600M NHL Deal. Multichannel News.
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  64. Web site: 2004-05-19 . NBC returns to pros; ESPN re-ups coverage . 2024-03-27 . ESPN.com . en.
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  68. News: Rovell . Darren . August 17, 2005 . ESPN decides not to match Comcast's offer . ESPN .
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  70. Web site: Why NHL chose ESPN, Sportsnet for World Cup of Hockey. July 29, 2015. Yahoo! Sports. March 4, 2015 . Yahoo! Canada Inc..
  71. Web site: Sportsnet acquires rights to World Cup of Hockey. 29 July 2015. Sportsnet.ca. Rogers Digital Media.
  72. Web site: 2016-06-27. Barry Melrose, Steve Levy Top Commentator Team for ESPN's World Cup of Hockey 2016 Telecasts; Brett Hull and Chris Chelios Join as Studio Analysts. 2021-09-18. ESPN Press Room U.S.. en-US.
  73. Web site: 2016-09-12. ESPN's World Cup of Hockey 2016 Tournament Commentator Schedule. 2021-09-18. ESPN Press Room U.S.. en-US.
  74. Web site: ESPN host John Saunders dies at 61. 2021-09-18. NHL.com. en-US.
  75. Web site: ESPN Reveals World Cup Broadcasting Schedule. 2021-09-18. Hockey World Blog. en-US.
  76. News: 2018-04-13. Quest for the Stanley Cup moves from Showtime to ESPN+. en-US. Awful Announcing. 2018-05-08.
  77. Web site: 2018-09-24. 2018-19 NHL Season Puck Drops on ESPN+ October 4. 2021-06-29. ESPN Press Room U.S.. en-US.
  78. Web site: Ourand. John. May 27, 2019. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman relishes the opportunities as next media deal approaches. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200913054724/https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2019/05/27/Media/Sports-media.aspx. September 13, 2020. September 20, 2020. sportsbusinessdaily.com.
  79. Web site: Coryell . Grace . 2021-03-10 . The Walt Disney Company, ESPN and National Hockey League Reach Groundbreaking Long-Term Agreement . 2024-01-18 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
  80. News: March 10, 2021. NHL back on ESPN with 7-year multiplatform deal. ESPN. March 11, 2021.
  81. News: Draper. Kevin. March 11, 2021. N.H.L. Returns to ESPN in a 7-Year Deal With an Emphasis on Streaming. The New York Times. September 18, 2021. 0362-4331.
  82. Web site: NHL deal with ESPN, Disney takes hockey into the future. September 18, 2021. NHL.com.
  83. Web site: Staff . Sean Shapiro and The Athletic . ESPN, NHL agree to 7-year broadcast deal . 2024-01-17 . The Athletic . en.
  84. Web site: Spiegel . Jackie . 2021-03-10 . NHL games returning to ESPN for 2021-22 season after 16 years apart. 2024-01-17 . Sporting News.
  85. Web site: O'Leary . Sean . Gold-Smith . Josh . 2021-03-10 . NHL, ESPN reach 7-year broadcast deal reportedly worth over $2.8B . 2024-01-17 . theScore.com . en.
  86. Web site: Battaglio . Stephen . 2021-03-10 . NHL TV rights return to ESPN with a seven-year-deal that includes streaming . 2024-01-17 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  87. Web site: September 16, 2021. ESPN, Turner release NHL schedules for 2021-22 season, featuring 78 regular season games on cable and broadcast. September 18, 2021. Awful Announcing. en-US.
  88. Web site: March 11, 2021. Winners and losers of the NHL's TV deal with ESPN. March 16, 2021. Awful Announcing. en-US. [Y]ou'll not only need a cable or satellite subscription to access your team's RSN and ESPN, but you'll also need a subscription to ESPN+ or Hulu. 75 games will be streaming exclusively in this TV deal, and while you previously got everything you needed with the cable sub, you now will need to jump into the streaming waters to see every game..
  89. Web site: Chi . Danny . 2022-09-07 . The Walt Disney Company Announces 103 Exclusive National Hockey League Games Across ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu and ABC Beginning October 11 . 2022-09-21 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
  90. The Walt Disney Company Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games Across ESPN, ESPN+, ABC, and Hulu Beginning October 10. ESPN Press Room. August 30, 2023. August 30, 2023.
  91. Web site: Lucia . Joe . 2022-10-07 . ESPN is rebranding the NHL out of market package as 'NHL Power Play on ESPN+' . 2022-10-07 . Awful Announcing . en-US.
  92. News: Lucia. Joe. April 27, 2021. Turner's NHL deal will include "up to 72" exclusive national games each season, half the Stanley Cup Playoffs, HBO Max streaming. Awful Announcing.
  93. News: Knoll. Andrew. April 27, 2021. N.H.L. and Turner Sports Reach 7-Year Media Rights Deal. The New York Times. limited. May 13, 2021.
  94. Web site: September 30, 2021. ESPN unveils new weekly NHL studio show The Point, hosted by John Buccigross. September 30, 2021. Awful Announcing. en-US.
  95. https://theathletic.com/4212279/2021/05/17/leah-hextall-to-make-history-as-espns-new-nhl-play-by-play-voice-source/
  96. Web site: Subban of Devils debuts for ESPN as NHL analyst. June 11, 2021. NHL.com. en-US.
  97. News: Bucholtz. Andrew. June 9, 2021. ESPN is set to add Kevin Weekes, AJ Mleczko Griswold and Ryan Callahan to NHL coverage, with Turner adding Anson Carter. Awful Announcing.
  98. Web site: Gardner. Steve. ESPN adds Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier as NHL analyst. June 24, 2021. USA Today.
  99. Web site: June 24, 2021. Mark Messier joins ESPN as studio analyst for NHL coverage. June 24, 2021. ESPN.com.
  100. Web site: Ciccotelli. Jenna. Mark Messier Joining ESPN as NHL Studio Analyst Starting with 2021-22 Season. June 24, 2021. Bleacher Report.
  101. Web site: Tornoe. Rob. ESPN's new NHL roster has several Flyers connections, including a once-hated foe. September 11, 2021. www.inquirer.com. June 30, 2021.
  102. Web site: Shapiro. Sean. ESPN to hire Chris Chelios, Cassie Campbell-Pascall for NHL broadcasts: Sources. June 29, 2021. The Athletic.
  103. 1422941138248425480. espnpr. John Tortorella joins ESPN's roster of #NHL analysts presenting coverage this season across ESPN, @ABCNetwork, @ESPNPlus & @hulu. ESPN PR.
  104. Web site: Tortorella joins ESPN as NHL studio analyst. August 11, 2021. NHL.com. en-US.
  105. ᴀʀᴅᴀ ᴄᴀʟ . Arda . 1438581080689422338 . September 16, 2021 . Now that the schedule is out, I can finally announce that I'm beyond thrilled to join the NHL on @ESPN Family this season! I'll be in the mix hosting game broadcasts & much more. LETS. GO! This is a dream come true & I'm extremely grateful to be joining such an amazing cast! https://t.co/A5vwLQUM4b . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210917181431/https://twitter.com/Arda/status/1438581080689422338 . September 17, 2021 . live.
  106. ESPN PR . ESPNPR . 1444029363830337539 . October 1, 2021 . Dave Jackson joins ESPN's roster of #NHL analysts presenting coverage this season across ESPN, @ABCNetwork, @ESPNPlus & @hulu https://t.co/axzNSCTvn0 . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019071633/https://twitter.com/espnpr/status/1444029363830337539 . October 19, 2021 . live.
  107. Web site: 2022-06-16 . Philadelphia Flyers hire John Tortorella as head coach . 2022-11-20 . ESPN . en.
  108. Web site: 2022-09-20 . NHL star defenseman, free agent P.K. Subban, 33, announced retirement . 2022-11-20 . ESPN . en.
  109. Web site: 2022-11-10 . Recently retired P.K. Subban joining ESPN as hockey analyst . 2022-11-20 . ESPN . en.
  110. Web site: Chi . Danny . 2022-11-10 . ESPN Signs P.K. Subban to Multi-Year Contract for NHL Coverage . 2022-11-20 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
  111. Web site: June 29, 2021. Dynamic, Diverse and Accomplished Team to Present ESPN's NHL Coverage to Fans. June 29, 2021. ESPN Press Room U.S.. en-US.
  112. Web site: 2021-10-04 . Breaking it Down: How to Watch the NHL on ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu, and ABC . 2022-01-20 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
  113. Web site: Disney, Turner Sports announce 2021-22 NHL schedule. September 18, 2021. NHL.com. en-US.
  114. News: Dixon. Michael. May 14, 2023. ESPN comes under fire for awkward MLB, NHL coverage. Awful Announcing. May 17, 2023.
  115. News: Toole. Connor. May 15, 2023. ESPN Ripped For Prioritizing MLB Blowout Over Stanley Cup Playoff Elimination Game. BroBible. May 17, 2023.
  116. Web site: Deitsch . Richard . June 5, 2023 . Chris Chelios won't return to ESPN as NHL analyst . 2023-06-19 . The Athletic . en.
  117. News: Barnes . Brooks . 2023-02-08 . Searching for Streaming Profit, Disney Cuts $5.5 Billion in Costs . en-US . . 2023-06-19 .
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  120. Web site: Axson . Scooby . ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose has Parkinson's disease, retiring from network . 2023-10-10 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  121. Web site: 2023-10-10 . ESPN's Barry Melrose retires after Parkinson's disease diagnosis . 2023-10-10 . ESPN.com . en.
  122. Web site: 2023-10-10 . Barry Melrose retiring as ESPN's longtime hockey analyst after Parkinson's disease diagnosis . 2023-10-10 . AP News . en.
  123. News: Hill . Glynn A. . 2023-10-10 . Barry Melrose, ESPN hockey analyst, retires after Parkinson's diagnosis . en-US . Washington Post . 2023-10-10 . 0190-8286.
  124. News: Sportsnet Staff . Cassie Campbell-Pascall leaving Sportsnet, joins PWHL as special advisor . 21 December 2023 . Rogers Sportsnet . Rogers Communications . 18 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219115025/https://www.sportsnet.ca/pwhl/article/cassie-campbell-pascall-leaving-sportsnet-joins-pwhl-as-special-advisor/ . 19 December 2023 . Toronto . live.
  125. Web site: Bruins fans can get unique view of Brad Marchand against Penguins and Sidney Crosby . 2023-03-15 . CBS News Boston . November 2022 . en-US.
  126. Web site: 2022-03-24 . MLB's streaming deals stick it to RSNs, but fans hurt even more . 2023-03-15 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  127. Web site: R. Thomas Umstead . 2023-02-17 . ABC, ESPN Take NHL Coverage Outdoors With Stadium Series Telecast . 2023-03-15 . Multichannel News . en.
  128. Web site: Steinberg . Brian . 2023-02-14 . Disney Will Animate ESPN Coverage for Disney Channel to Get Kids Into Hockey . 2023-03-15 . Variety . en-US.
  129. Web site: Rangers, Capitals in 'Big City Greens' Classic on ESPN, Disney Channel . 2023-02-15 . NHL.com . en-US.
  130. Web site: Lucia . Joe . 2023-10-04 . ESPN debuting NHL whip-around show 'Frozen Frenzy' on October 24 . 2023-11-25 . Awful Announcing . en-US.
  131. Web site: 2023-10-25 . A review of 'Frozen Frenzy' — the NHL's answer to NFL RedZone . 2023-10-25 . Yahoo Sports . en-CA.
  132. Web site: Coryell . Olivia . 2024-02-16 . ESPN, Disney Branded Television and National Hockey League Skate Back to Big City in Second “NHL Big City Greens Classic” . 2024-03-22 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
  133. Web site: DiCristoforo . Andrea . 2024-03-04 . “NHL Big City Greens Classic 2” Headlines Four Exclusive NHL Games this Week on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+/Hulu . 2024-03-22 . ESPN Press Room U.S. . en-US.
  134. Web site: June 29, 2021. McDonough gets lead NHL gig on ESPN. August 11, 2021. Sports Media Watch.
  135. Web site: McDonough, Levy to lead ESPN's team for NHL coverage. August 11, 2021. USA TODAY.
  136. Web site: June 29, 2021. Dynamic, Diverse and Accomplished Team to Present ESPN's NHL Coverage to Fans. June 29, 2021. ESPN Press Room U.S..
  137. Web site: June 24, 2021. NHL great Messier joins ESPN as studio analyst. June 24, 2021. ESPN.
  138. Web site: Ciccotelli. Jenna. Mark Messier Joining ESPN as NHL Studio Analyst Starting with 2021-22 Season. June 24, 2021. Bleacher Report.
  139. Web site: The Athletic Staff. Ray Ferraro and Brian Boucher to join ESPN as NHL analysts: Sources. July 13, 2021. The Athletic.
  140. Web site: Sean McDonough to lead ESPN's NHL coverage. August 11, 2021. www.Boston.com.
  141. Web site: June 29, 2021. ESPN Announces Its No. 1 Announcer For The NHL. August 11, 2021. The Spun.
  142. Web site: October 3, 2021. Referee Dave Jackson Joins ESPN NHL Broadcast Team. October 7, 2021. Scouting The Refs. en-US.
  143. Johnston . Patrick . risingaction . 1444030788224229378 . October 1, 2021 . ESPN adding a rules analyst in retired ref Dave Jackson. TSN of course had Kerry Fraser in the past. Sportsnet should have done so years ago. https://t.co/UauTkdMz20 . en . October 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211013190837/https://twitter.com/risingaction/status/1444030788224229378 . October 13, 2021 . live.
  144. News: Bucholtz. Andrew. October 13, 2021. NHL on ESPN opening night was the most-watched season-opening doubleheader on record. Awful Announcing.

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