2023–24 NHL season

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2023–24 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 10, 2023 – June 2024
Number of games82
Number of teams32
TV partner(s)Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports (Canada)
ESPN/ESPN+/Hulu/ABC/ESPN2, TNT/TBS/Max (United States)
Draft
Top draft pickConnor Bedard
Picked byChicago Blackhawks
Regular season
Playoffs
Stanley Cup
NHL seasons
2024–25 →

The 2023–24 NHL season is the 107th season of operation (106th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on October 10, 2023, and will end on April 18, 2024. The Stanley Cup playoffs are then planned to begin shortly afterwards, ending with the Stanley Cup Finals in June.

League business[edit]

Entry draft[edit]

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 28–29, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.[1] Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.[2]

Preseason games in Australia[edit]

The NHL held games in Australia for the first time in league history. The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings played on September 23 and 24 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, best known as the main venue for the Australian Open. Since the arena was not designed for ice hockey, the league built a temporary rink akin to other NHL outdoor games, though the arena's retractable roof was closed for the game.[3]

Coaching changes[edit]

Coaching changes
Off–season
Team 2022–23 coach 2023–24 coach Notes
Anaheim Ducks Dallas Eakins Greg Cronin On April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Ducks' season, the team announced that Eakins' contract would not be renewed. In four seasons with Anaheim, Eakins totaled a 100–147–44 record, with no playoff appearances.[4] Cronin, most recently the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, was named head coach on June 5, 2023.[5]
Calgary Flames Darryl Sutter Ryan Huska Sutter was fired on May 1, 2023, two and a half weeks after the conclusion of the Flames' season. In just under three seasons during his second stint as the Flames' head coach, Sutter posted a 103–63–28 record, winning the Jack Adams Award in 2021–22 and reaching the playoffs as Pacific Division champions the same year; the team ultimately lost in the second round.[6] Huska, an assistant coach for Calgary since 2018, was promoted to head coach on June 12, 2023.[7]
Columbus Blue Jackets Brad Larsen Mike Babcock (resigned)
Pascal Vincent 		Larsen was fired on April 15, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Blue Jackets' season. In two seasons with Columbus, Larsen posted a 62–86–16 record, with no playoff appearances.[8] Babcock, most recently head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019, was named head coach on July 1, 2023.[9] However, after allegations of improper behavior via the Spittin' Chiclets podcast led to an NHLPA investigation into Babcock, he announced his resignation as head coach on September 17, before the start of the preseason.[10][11] Associate coach Pascal Vincent was subsequently promoted to head coach, signing a two-year contract.[10]
Nashville Predators John Hynes Andrew Brunette Hynes was fired on May 30, 2023, a month and a half after the conclusion of the Predators' season. In three and a half seasons with Nashville, Hynes registered a 134–96–18 record, reaching the playoffs three times, but failing to advance past the first round.[12] Brunette, most recently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, and previously interim head coach of the Florida Panthers during the 2021–22 season, was named head coach the following day.[13]
New York Rangers Gerard Gallant Peter Laviolette Gallant and the Rangers mutually agreed to part ways on May 6, 2023, five days after the Rangers' elimination from the 2023 playoffs. In two seasons with New York, Gallant led the team to a 99–46–19 record with two playoff appearances, reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2022.[14] Laviolette, most recently head coach of the Washington Capitals from 2020 to 2023, and who had left Washington two months prior, was named head coach on June 13, 2023.[15]
Washington Capitals Peter Laviolette Spencer Carbery On April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Capitals' season, in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and with his contract expiring, the team and Laviolette mutually agreed to part ways. Laviolette posted a 115–78–27 record in three seasons with Washington, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round.[16] Carbery, most recently an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and formerly head coach of Washington's minor league affiliates, the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays and AHL's Hershey Bears, was named head coach on May 30, 2023.[17]
In–season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach Notes
Edmonton Oilers Jay Woodcroft Kris Knoblauch Woodcroft was fired on November 12, 2023, after the Oilers started the season 3–9–1. In parts of three seasons with the Oilers, Woodcroft totaled a 79–41–13 record and made the playoffs twice, including reaching the Western Conference finals in 2022. Knoblauch, formerly the head coach of the New York Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, was named head coach the same day.[18]
Winnipeg Jets Rick Bowness
(temporary, October 23 – November 24) 		Scott Arniel* On October 23, 2023, Bowness announced that he was taking a temporary leave of absence after his wife suffered a seizure and was admitted to the hospital. Arniel, the associate coach, took over as interim head coach,[19] and totaled a 9–2–2 record before Bowness returned from his leave on November 24.[20]

(*) Indicates interim.

Front office changes[edit]

General managers
Off–season
Team 2022–23 general manager 2023–24 general manager Notes
Calgary Flames Brad Treliving Don Maloney*
Craig Conroy 		On April 17, 2023, five days after the conclusion of the Flames' season, and with his contract expiring, the team and Treliving mutually agreed to part ways. Treliving had served as general manager since 2014, overseeing five playoff appearances and two Pacific Division titles. Maloney, formerly general manager of the New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes, and most recently a pro scout, was subsequently promoted to president of hockey operations, and assumed the role of interim general manager.[21] Conroy, formerly the assistant general manager, was promoted to general manager on May 23.[22]
Nashville Predators David Poile Barry Trotz Poile announced on February 26, 2023 that he would retire as GM on June 30, but remain as a consultant. The sole general manager in Predators history until his retirement, Poile had served in the role since 1997, overseeing fifteen playoff appearances, two Central Division titles, one President's Trophy, and one Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Poile also won the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award in 2017. Trotz, who served as the team's first coach from 1997 to 2014, and most recently was head coach of the New York Islanders from 2018 to 2022, was announced as Poile's successor on the same day, formally assuming the general manager role on July 1.[23]
Philadelphia Flyers Chuck Fletcher
Daniel Briere* 		Daniel Briere Fletcher was fired on March 10, 2023, with the Flyers holding a record of 24–30–11. Fletcher had served as general manager since 2018, with the team making the playoffs once during his tenure. Assistant general manager Briere was named interim general manager,[24] before being made the official general manager on May 11.[25]
Pittsburgh Penguins Ron Hextall Kyle Dubas Hextall was fired on April 14, 2023, one day after the conclusion of the Penguins' season, after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons. Hextall had served as general manager of the Penguins since 2021, overseeing two playoff appearances and one division championship.[26] Dubas, most recently general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was hired as president of hockey operations on June 1,[27] assuming the role of interim general manager;[28] he was later named permanent general manager on August 3, 2023.[29]
Toronto Maple Leafs Kyle Dubas Brad Treliving On May 19, 2023, one week after the Maple Leafs' elimination from the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, and with his contract expiring, the team announced that Dubas would not return. Dubas had served as general manager of the Maple Leafs since 2018, with the team reaching the playoffs all five years of his tenure, and winning one North Division title.[30] Treliving, most recently general manager of the Calgary Flames, was named general manager on May 31.[31]
In–season
Team Outgoing general manager Incoming general manager Notes
Ottawa Senators Pierre Dorion Steve Staios* Dorion was fired on November 1, 2023, after the Senators forfeited a first-round draft pick due to their role in issues surrounding the trade of Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights, and Dadonov's subsequent voided trade to the Anaheim Ducks. Dorion had served as general manager of the Senators since 2016, overseeing one playoff appearance. Staios, the president of hockey operations, was subsequently named interim general manager.[32]

(*) Indicates interim.

Arena changes[edit]

Regular season[edit]

International games[edit]

The league held four regular season games on four consecutive days at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. The Detroit Red Wings and the Ottawa Senators faced each other on November 16. The Red Wings then played the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 17. The Minnesota Wild took on the Senators on November 18. Finally, the Wild played the Maple Leafs on November 19.[34]

Outdoor games[edit]

The league has scheduled the following outdoor games:

All-Star Game[edit]

The 2024 All-Star Game is scheduled for February 3 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.[39]

Standings[edit]

Eastern Conference[edit]

Top 3 (Metropolitan Division)
Pos Team
 GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 New York Rangers 19 15 3 1 12 66 45 +21 31
2 Carolina Hurricanes 20 12 8 0 8 67 67 0 24
3 Philadelphia Flyers 21 11 9 1 9 64 58 +6 23
Updated to game(s) played on November 26, 2023. Source: National Hockey League[40]
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)
Top 3 (Atlantic Division)
Pos Team
 GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 Boston Bruins 20 14 3 3 12 69 50 +19 31
2 Florida Panthers 20 12 7 1 10 58 55 +3 25
3 Detroit Red Wings 20 11 6 3 10 74 60 +14 25
Updated to game(s) played on November 26, 2023. Source: National Hockey League[40]
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)
Eastern Conference Wild Card
Pos Div Team
 GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 AT Tampa Bay Lightning 21 10 6 5 9 78 74 +4 25
2 AT Toronto Maple Leafs 19 10 6 3 5 67 66 +1 23
3 ME Washington Capitals 17 10 5 2 7 43 48 −5 22
4 ME New York Islanders 20 8 6 6 7 52 62 −10 22
5 ME Pittsburgh Penguins 20 10 10 0 9 63 52 +11 20
6 AT Buffalo Sabres 21 9 10 2 8 59 70 −11 20
7 AT Montreal Canadiens 21 9 10 2 3 59 75 −16 20
8 ME New Jersey Devils 19 9 9 1 8 67 70 −3 19
9 AT Ottawa Senators 16 8 8 0 6 60 54 +6 16
10 ME Columbus Blue Jackets 22 6 12 4 5 62 77 −15 16
Updated to game(s) played on November 26, 2023. Source: National Hockey League[41]
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[edit]

Top 3 (Central Division)
Pos Team
 GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 Colorado Avalanche 20 14 6 0 13 76 58 +18 28
2 Dallas Stars 19 12 5 2 9 66 57 +9 26
3 Winnipeg Jets 20 12 6 2 10 71 59 +12 26
Updated to game(s) played on November 26, 2023. Source: National Hockey League[40]
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)
Top 3 (Pacific Division)
Pos Team
 GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 Vegas Golden Knights 21 14 5 2 10 69 50 +19 30
2 Los Angeles Kings 19 13 3 3 13 76 47 +29 29
3 Vancouver Canucks 22 14 7 1 13 88 56 +32 29
Updated to game(s) played on November 26, 2023. Source: National Hockey League[40]
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 Wild Card
Pos Div Team
 GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 CE St. Louis Blues 20 11 8 1 10 60 62 −2 23
2 PA Seattle Kraken 22 8 9 5 5 62 78 −16 21
3 CE Nashville Predators 20 10 10 0 9 67 64 +3 20
4 CE Arizona Coyotes 20 9 9 2 7 65 63 +2 20
5 PA Calgary Flames 21 8 10 3 7 62 74 −12 19
6 PA Anaheim Ducks 21 9 12 0 6 58 73 −15 18
7 PA Edmonton Oilers 20 7 12 1 6 66 74 −8 15
8 CE Minnesota Wild 19 5 10 4 4 57 77 −20 14
9 CE Chicago Blackhawks 19 6 13 0 4 49 70 −21 12
10 PA San Jose Sharks 21 4 15 2 4 34 89 −55 10
Updated to game(s) played on November 26, 2023. Source: National Hockey League[41]
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)

Statistics[edit]

Scoring leaders[edit]

The following players led the league in regular season points at the completion of games played on November 25, 2023.[42]

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Nikita Kucherov Tampa Bay Lightning 20 15 20 35 +2 6
J. T. Miller Vancouver Canucks 22 13 20 33 +10 16
Quinn Hughes Vancouver Canucks 22 8 25 33 +18 12
David Pastrnak Boston Bruins 20 13 18 31 +7 10
Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche 20 5 25 30 +18 8
Artemi Panarin New York Rangers 19 11 18 29 +3 4
Brayden Point Tampa Bay Lightning 21 11 18 29 –3 2
Elias Pettersson Vancouver Canucks 22 8 21 29 +2 0
William Nylander Toronto Maple Leafs 19 12 15 27 +3 4
Mikko Rantanen Colorado Avalanche 20 12 14 26 +8 16

Leading goaltenders[edit]

The following goaltenders led the league in regular season goals against average at the completion of games played on November 25, 2023, while playing at least 540 minutes.[43]

Player Team GP TOI W L OTL GA SO SV% GAA
Adin Hill Vegas Golden Knights 12 730:08 9 2 1 24 2 .932 1.97
Cam Talbot Los Angeles Kings 14 832:13 10 3 1 28 1 .931 2.02
Thatcher Demko Vancouver Canucks 15 882:24 10 5 0 32 2 .925 2.18
Jeremy Swayman Boston Bruins 10 604:00 7 1 2 23 1 .927 2.28
Logan Thompson Vegas Golden Knights 9 542:16 5 3 1 21 0 .922 2.32
Tristan Jarry Pittsburgh Penguins 15 836:15 7 8 0 34 3 .918 2.44
Igor Shesterkin New York Rangers 11 636:05 8 3 0 26 0 .916 2.45
Carter Hart Philadelphia Flyers 12 664:25 6 5 0 28 1 .911 2.53
Linus Ullmark Boston Bruins 10 604:05 7 2 1 26 0 .918 2.58
John Gibson Anaheim Ducks 13 726:46 4 8 0 32 0 .914 2.64

Uniforms[edit]

  • This is the final season for Adidas as the official apparel provider of the NHL. Starting with the 2024–25 season, Fanatics will become the official apparel provider on a 10-year contract.[44]
  • The NHL officially gave teams the option to wear their colored helmets on the road, provided they are not the same color as the home team's helmets. The new rule was revealed after the Carolina Hurricanes started wearing red helmets regularly with the road white uniforms the previous season, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs wearing the blue helmets with the road white uniforms during a Global Series tour in Sweden this season.[45]

Wholesale team changes[edit]

  • The Anaheim Ducks unveiled their 30th anniversary alternate uniform, featuring the original 1993 to 2006 colors of eggplant base and jade, white and silver stripes. The updated "Wild Wing" roundel crest with the current team name is emblazoned in front.[46]
  • The Boston Bruins unveiled the new logo and centennial patch for this upcoming season, keeping with the spoke "B" instead of black lettering and instead going with a yellow lettering with black spokes.[47] The Bruins also unveiled special uniforms for the season, with the primary black and white uniforms sporting a metallic gold shade called "Centennial gold" and the alternate beige uniform using the 1970s uniform template albeit in the original brown and gold colors.[48]
  • The Calgary Flames unveiled a new uniform for the 2023 Heritage Classic, which was inspired by the Calgary Stampeders.[49]
  • The Edmonton Oilers unveiled a new uniform for the 2023 Heritage Classic, which was inspired by the Edmonton Mercurys.[49]
  • The Minnesota Wild introduced a new "78's" alternate uniform based off of their green Minnesota North Stars-influenced 2022–23 Reverse Retro jersey, but with the addition of Minnesota-shaped captain patches and a "State of Hockey" shoulder patch.[50]
  • The Philadelphia Flyers unveiled new uniforms, returning to the burnt orange shade they wore from 1982 to 2007 and featured visual cues from previous uniforms. The black alternate was retained.[51]
  • The Seattle Kraken unveiled a new uniform for the 2024 NHL Winter Classic, featuring a "barber-pole" stripe pattern inspired by the Seattle Metropolitans.[52]
  • The Vegas Golden Knights unveiled a new faux-back uniform for the 2024 NHL Winter Classic, featuring a vintage white base with heritage gold stripes and a new stylized gray "V" crest.[52]
  • The Winnipeg Jets unveiled a new powder-blue specialty alternate uniform commemorating the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force, with a design based off of those worn by the RCAF Flyers at the 1948 Winter Olympics. The previous heritage alternates will be retained as the full-time third jerseys.[53]

Milestones[edit]

First games[edit]

The following is a list of notable players who played their first NHL game during the 2023–24 season, listed with their first team.

Player Team Notability
Connor Bedard[54] Chicago Blackhawks First overall pick in the 2023 Draft

Major milestones reached[edit]

Broadcast rights[edit]

Canada[edit]

National[edit]

This will be the tenth season of the league's 12-year Canadian national broadcast rights deal with Sportsnet. This includes Sportsnet's sub-licensing agreements to air Saturday Hockey Night in Canada games on CBC Television and French-language broadcasts on TVA Sports.[68] Sportsnet's national schedule also includes Monday Night Hockey, Wednesday Night Hockey, this season's four outdoor games, the Hockey Day in Canada games on January 20, and All-Star Weekend.[69] Games will be streamed on Sportsnet+, with national games available on the Standard level, out-of-market games on the Premium tier, and via authenticated streaming on participating [70]

Personnel[edit]

Longtime commentator John Garrett retired from Vancouver Canucks broadcasts prior to the season.[71] He will continue to provide analysis on select national broadcasts throughout the season. Sportsnet later announced that Dave Tomlinson, formerly a radio analyst for the Seattle Kraken, would take over as the primary TV analyst for Canucks regional broadcasts, with ESPN lead analyst Ray Ferraro working as a substitute for select games.[72]

United States[edit]

National[edit]

This will be the third season of the league's seven-year U.S. national broadcast rights deals with the ESPN family of networks and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports (WBD).[73]

Regular season games are aired exclusively on ESPN on selected Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends; and ABC on selected Saturdays between mid-January and mid-April. ESPN+ and Hulu exclusively streams games primarily on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends throughout the season. During All-Star Weekend, ESPN will have the All-Star skills competition while ABC will air the All-Star Game. Both Stadium Series games will then be broadcast by ABC. A Presidents' Day doubleheader on February 19 is also scheduled on ESPN this season. Under the "NHL Power Play on ESPN+" branding, the streaming service will also stream ABC games, selected ESPN games, as well out-of-market games.[74]

WBD's regular season coverage is primary on TNT. TBS, truTV, and HLN would be used as overflow channels. TNT has games on Wednesday nights throughout the season, along with the Thanksgiving Showdown on November 24, Winter Classic, and selected Sunday games between late February and near the end of the regular season in mid-April.[75] This season's Heritage Classic instead aired on TBS due to TNT's soccer coverage of U.S. women's national soccer team.[76] Not all of TNT's regular season games are exclusive broadcasts, and are thus subject to blackout in local markets.[75] Warner Bros. Discovery invoked its over-the-top streaming rights for Max, adding live sports telecasts from WBD channels; these broadcasts will be available at no additional charge until February 2024, after which viewers must subscribe to the Bleacher Report Sports add-on.[77]

NHL Network continues to also nationally televise selected regular season games, including Saturday and Sunday afternoon games as part of the NHL Network Showcase series.

Local[edit]

The Washington Capitals' broadcaster NBC Sports Washington rebranded as Monumental Sports Network prior to the start of the season. In September 2022, Ted Leonsis's Monumental Sports & Entertainment bought out NBCUniversal's ownership stake in the channel.[78][79]

Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy[edit]
See also: Diamond Sports Group § Bankruptcy

The 12 NHL teams who had deals with the Bally Sports regional sports networks may be affected by its operator Diamond Sports Group's March 14, 2023 decision to file for bankruptcy. Diamond plans to continue broadcasting regional games while it seeks to separate from majority parent Sinclair Broadcast Group as part of the reorganization.[80] However, if the reorganization continues into mid-to-late September, the NHL may seek an emergency motion asking the bankruptcy judge to order Diamond to pay the teams on time, or give the media rights back to the league. This would be similar to the emergency motion Major League Baseball filed for its teams in April at the start of its season.[81]

The Los Angeles Kings renewed their contract with Bally Sports West despite Diamond's bankruptcy. The Kings also reached an agreement with KCAL-TV for the rights to six games and select half-hour specials.[82][83]

On October 4, 2023, Diamond announced that it intended to reject its Bally Sports Arizona contract with the Arizona Coyotes.[84] The next day, the Coyotes announced a new television agreement with the E. W. Scripps Company's sports division Scripps Sports, under which it will carry games on a subchannel of its Phoenix broadcast station and ABC affiliate KNXV-TV, and syndicate them to sister stations in the team's broadcast territory, including KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona, and KUPX-TV and KSTU-DT2 in Salt Lake City. The Coyotes will air non-game programs on KNXV and sister The CW affiliate KASW.[85][86] With Bally Sports Arizona already previously losing airing rights to the Phoenix Suns to Gray Television and the Arizona Diamondbacks to the MLB itself earlier in the year, they decided to wind down services for the rest of the month before concluding on October 21, 2023.

AT&T SportsNet closure[edit]

In February 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery announced it was winding down its AT&T SportsNet regional sports network business, affecting the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vegas Golden Knights' broadcasters, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh and AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, respectively. The Seattle Kraken's deal with Root Sports Northwest was not affected because Warner Bros. Discovery only has minority control of that network.[87][88]

On May 4, 2023, the Golden Knights signed a multi-year agreement with Scripps Sports to start airing games on Scripps' Las Vegas broadcast station KMCC, and syndicate the telecasts to other stations across the team's broadcast territory; both KMCC and Salt Lake City's KUPX-TV were converted from Ion Television stations to independents to accommodate the team's broadcasts, along with Scripps's Montana Television Network, whose second digital subchannels previously carried The CW.[89]

On August 30, 2023, the Penguins announced that they would acquire AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, which rebranded on October 2 as SportsNet Pittsburgh. The channel is operated by NESN—the regional broadcaster of the Boston Bruins—which is majority-owned by the Penguins' parent company Fenway Sports Group.[90][91]

Personnel[edit]

ESPN studio analyst Chris Chelios, who served in the role for two seasons, left the network as part of its June 2023 cost-cutting measures.[92][93][94] In October, studio analyst Barry Melrose resigned after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.[95][96][97][98][99]

TNT color commentator Keith Jones left the network to become president of hockey operations with the Philadelphia Flyers. Prior to joining the Flyers' front office, Jones also worked as the team's TV color analyst for 23 seasons, while also working as a studio and game analyst with NBC and later TNT.[25] To replace Jones, TNT hired Brian Boucher away from ESPN, serving the same role as he previously had with the latter network. Boucher also replaced Jones as a primary analyst on the Flyers' television broadcasts.[100][101][102][103]

The Chicago Blackhawks hired Darren Pang to be their lead TV color commentator. Pang, who spent 14 years in the same role with the St. Louis Blues and is also a color commentator on TNT, replaces both Colby Cohen, whose contract with the team was not renewed[104][105] and Patrick Sharp, who left to also join the Flyers front office, along with Keith Jones. The Blues replaced Pang with Jamie Rivers, who had been the backup color commentator whenever Pang worked for TNT prior to the announcement.[106]

The Los Angeles Kings plan to start using TV/radio simulcasts, keeping radio announcers Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans, and TV analyst Jim Fox. However, they did not renew the TV play-by-play announcer Alex Faust's contract.[82]

The Pittsburgh Penguins' play-by-play announcers swapped roles, with Josh Getzoff moving from radio to TV, and Steve Mears moving from TV to radio.[107][108] However, the team let go Bob Errey, their TV color commentator.[109] To replace him, a rotation of Colby Armstrong, Mike Rupp, and Phil Bourque, who also provides color commentary on radio, is used.[110]

The Seattle Kraken hired Al Kinisky as their radio analyst, replacing Dave Tomlinson, who moved to the Vancouver Canucks television booth.[111]

Columbus Blue Jackets TV play-by-play announcer Jeff Rimer announced his retirement at the end of this season. Rimer, the TV voice of the Blue Jackets starting in the 2005–06 season, also had stints with the Washington Capitals and the Florida Panthers.[112]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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