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2024–25 NHL season

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2024–25 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce Hockey
DurationOctober 4, 2024[1] – June 2025
Number of games82
Number of teams32
TV partner(s)Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports (Canada)
ESPN/ABC/ESPN2, TNT/TBS/truTV (United States)
Streaming partner(s)Sportsnet+, Amazon (Canada)
ESPN+/Hulu, Max (United States)
Draft
Top draft pickMacklin Celebrini
Picked bySan Jose Sharks
Regular season
Playoffs
Stanley Cup
NHL seasons
2025–26 →

The 2024–25 NHL season is the ongoing 108th season of operation (107th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season started on October 4, 2024, when the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils played the first of two games in Prague, Czech Republic, as a part of the 2024 NHL Global Series.[1] The Stanley Cup playoffs are then planned to begin in April 2025, ending with the Stanley Cup Finals in June. This season is the first for the expansion Utah Hockey Club, who were established with the hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes following the latter team's deactivation.[2]

League business

[edit]

Utah expansion and Arizona Coyotes deactivation

[edit]

On April 13, 2024, it was reported that, with the NHL's permission, the Arizona Coyotes were making efforts to relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah, following concerns about an indefinite timeframe on a new arena and the effects of continued play at the 4,600-seat Mullett Arena.[3] The sale, which involved the NHL buying the franchise from Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo, then reselling it to Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA), was finalized on April 18, after the NHL Board of Governors voted to establish a team in Utah, with the Coyotes' hockey assets;[4] however, rather than formally relocate, the Coyotes franchise was instead marked "inactive", with the Utah Hockey Club considered an expansion team in a similar situation to the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Meruelo subsequently remained on the NHL Board of Governors as an observer, retaining the rights to the Coyotes brand with a five-year window to complete a new arena and "reactivate" the Coyotes as an expansion team.[5] Of the reported US$1.2 billion sale price,[6][7] 1 billion was paid to Meruelo, with $200 million paid to the NHL's other owners as a relocation fee. In June, the auction was cancelled, and Meruelo left the ownership, ceasing the Coyotes. The league has not yet indicated whether the Coyotes will fold outright, the league will keep the franchise inactive for a prospective new Arizona owner, or transfer its history, records and intellectual property to the Utah Hockey Club.[8][2]

The Utah Hockey Club will play its inaugural season without an official name, mascot, or colors, while a full identity is developed in time for 2025–26.[9]

Rule changes

[edit]

On June 26, 2024, the league announced that following rule changes for the 2024–25 season:[10]

  • The puck-over-glass delay-of-game penalty has been added to the list of plays that can go under video review. This only applies to determine whether the puck instead deflected off a player, stick, the glass or the boards. The judgement call on how the puck left the defensive zone cannot be reviewed. A failed coach's challenge would thus essentially result in a double-minor: both the original puck-over-glass penalty and the failed coach's challenge penalty.[10]
  • The defensive team cannot make a line change after its goaltender accidentally dislodges the net.[10]
  • Following an icing, offensive centers will receive a warning for a faceoff violation, just like defensive players.[10]
  • A team that has players sitting on the boards will first receive a warning, and then be assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct bench minor penalty for subsequent violations.[10]

Entry draft

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The 2024 NHL entry draft took place on June 28–29, 2024, at the Sphere in Paradise, Nevada.[11]

Salary cap

[edit]

The salary cap ceiling was increased to US$88 million per team for 2024–25,[12] an increase of US$4.5 million from the previous season. The salary cap floor was increased to US$65 million per team.

Coaching changes

[edit]
Coaching changes
Off–season
Team 2023–24 coach 2024–25 coach Notes
Buffalo Sabres Don Granato Lindy Ruff On April 16, 2024, one day after the conclusion of their season, the Sabres fired Granato. In just over three-and-a-half seasons with Buffalo, Granato totaled a 122–125–27 record, with no playoff appearances.[13] Ruff, who had previously coached Buffalo from 1997 to 2013, and most recently served as head coach of the New Jersey Devils from 2020 to 2024, was named head coach on April 22.[14]
Columbus Blue Jackets Pascal Vincent Dean Evason On June 17, 2024, two months after the conclusion of the Blue Jackets' season, Vincent was fired by Columbus. In his single season as head coach, the Blue Jackets posted a 27–43–12 record, finishing last in the Metropolitan Division.[15] Evason, most recently the head coach of the Minnesota Wild from 2020 to 2024, was named head coach on July 22, 2024.[16]
Los Angeles Kings Todd McLellan
Jim Hiller* 		Jim Hiller McLellan was fired on February 2, 2024, with the Kings holding a record of 23–15–10; despite a 20–7–4 start to the season, the team went 3–8–6 in the 17 games preceding his dismissal. In four and a half seasons with Los Angeles, McLellan posted a 164–130–44 record, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round. Hiller, an assistant coach, was promoted to interim head coach,[17][18] before being named full-time head coach on May 22, 2024.[19]
New Jersey Devils Lindy Ruff
Travis Green* 		Sheldon Keefe Ruff was fired on March 4, 2024, after the Devils started 30–27–4. In just over three-and-a-half seasons with New Jersey, Ruff totaled a 128–125–28 record, with one playoff appearance. Green, the associate coach, and previously head coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 2017 to 2021, was promoted to interim head coach the same day.[20] Green finished out the season 8–12–1, failing to make the playoffs, and was subsequently hired by the Ottawa Senators following the season.[21] Keefe, most recently the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2019 to 2024, was named head coach on May 23, 2024.[22]
Ottawa Senators D. J. Smith
Jacques Martin* 		Travis Green Smith was fired on December 18, 2023, after the Senators started the season 11–15–0. In just over four seasons with Ottawa, Smith compiled a 131–154–32 record, with no playoff appearances. Martin, a senior advisor to the coaching staff who previously served as the team's head coach from 1996 to 2004, and most recently served as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens from 2009 to 2011, was promoted to interim head coach.[23] Martin subsequently finished out the season 26–26–4, failing to reach the playoffs. Green, most recently the interim head coach of the New Jersey Devils, and previously head coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 2017 to 2021, was named head coach on May 7, 2024.[21]
San Jose Sharks David Quinn Ryan Warsofsky On April 24, 2024, one week after the conclusion of their season, the Sharks fired Quinn. In two seasons with San Jose, Quinn posted a 41–98–25 record, with no playoff appearances.[24] Warsofsky, an assistant coach, was promoted to head coach on June 13, 2024.[25]
Seattle Kraken Dave Hakstol Dan Bylsma Hakstol was fired on April 29, 2024, a week and a half after the conclusion of Seattle's season. The franchise's first head coach, Hakstol recorded a 107–112–27 record in three seasons with the Kraken, leading the franchise to its first playoff appearance in 2023.[26] Bylsma, most recently head coach of Seattle's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and previously head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, was promoted to head coach on May 28, 2024.[27]
St. Louis Blues Craig Berube
Drew Bannister* 		Drew Bannister Berube was fired on December 12, 2023, after the Blues started the season 13–14–1. In parts of six seasons with St. Louis, Berube compiled a 206–132–44 record with four playoff appearances, leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2019. Bannister, previously the head coach of the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, was promoted to interim head coach,[28] before signing a two-year contract to become the full-time head coach on May 7, 2024.[29]
Toronto Maple Leafs Sheldon Keefe Craig Berube On May 9, 2024, five days following Toronto's first-round elimination from the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Keefe was fired after four-and-a-half seasons with the team. Under Keefe, the team went 212–97–40, winning the North Division title in 2021 and making the playoffs every season, but only reaching the second round once.[30] Berube, most recently head coach of the St. Louis Blues from 2018 to 2023, and who played for the Maple Leafs during the 1991–92 season, was named head coach on May 17.[31]
Utah Hockey Club Expansion team; hockey assets transferred from Arizona Coyotes Andre Tourigny Alongside the other hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes, Tourigny's contract was transferred to the new Utah Hockey Club, who retained him as head coach.[32][33]
Winnipeg Jets Rick Bowness Scott Arniel Bowness announced his retirement from coaching on May 6, 2024. In two seasons with Winnipeg, Bowness compiled a 98–57–9 record, with two playoff appearances.[34] Arniel, an associate coach, and formerly head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010 to 2012, was promoted to head coach on May 24.[35]

(*) Indicates interim

Front office changes

[edit]
General managers
Off–season
Team 2023–24 general manager 2024–25 general manager Notes
Carolina Hurricanes Don Waddell Eric Tulsky Waddell announced his resignation on May 24, 2024, eight days after Carolina's elimination from the playoffs. Having joined the Hurricanes' organization in 2014 and serving as general manager since 2018, Waddell oversaw six consecutive playoff appearances, three division championships, and two trips to the Eastern Conference finals. Tulsky, the assistant GM, was named interim general manager,[36] before being promoted to full-time general manager on June 18, 2024.[37]
Columbus Blue Jackets Jarmo Kekalainen
John Davidson* 		Don Waddell Kekalainen was fired on February 15, 2024, after the Blue Jackets began the season 16–26–10. Kekalainen had served as general manager of the Blue Jackets since 2013, overseeing five playoff appearances, including the franchise's first playoff series win in 2019. Davidson, the president of hockey operations, was named interim general manager.[38] Waddell, most recently general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes from 2018 to 2024, and who had resigned from the Hurricanes four days prior, was named general manager on May 28, 2024, also assuming the roles of president of hockey operations and alternate governor.[39]
Edmonton Oilers Ken Holland Jeff Jackson*
Stan Bowman 		On June 27, 2024, three days after the Oilers' loss in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, and with his contract expiring, the team and Holland mutually agreed to part ways. Holland had served as general manager since 2019, with the Oilers qualifying for the playoffs every season of his term, including two trips to the Western Conference Finals and the aforementioned Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Jackson, the CEO of hockey operations, assumed the role of interim general manager.[40] Bowman, most recently general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks from 2009 to 2021, and who had been reinstated from a suspension relating to the Blackhawks' sexual assault scandal three weeks prior, was named general manager on July 24, 2024.[41]
Utah Hockey Club Expansion team; hockey assets transferred from Arizona Coyotes Bill Armstrong Alongside the other hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes, Armstrong's contract was transferred to the new Utah Hockey Club, who retained him as general manager.[32][42]
Washington Capitals Brian MacLellan Chris Patrick Patrick was promoted to general manager on July 8, 2024. MacLellan remained president of hockey operations, having held the role since 2023.[43]

(*) Indicates interim

Arena changes

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]

The regular season is planned from October 4, 2024, to April 17, 2025.[1]

International games

[edit]

The Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils played their first two regular season games against each other on October 4 and 5, 2024, at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.[46] The Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers are scheduled to play two games on November 1 and 2, at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland.[1]

Outdoor games

[edit]

The league has scheduled the following outdoor games:

4 Nations Face-Off

[edit]
Main article: NHL 4 Nations Face-Off

Instead of the All-Star Game, the league will hold a new 4 Nations Face-Off tournament as a preview for the NHL's return to Olympic participation in 2026. Four teams representing NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States will play a total of seven games from February 12 to 20. Games will be held at Boston's TD Garden and Montreal's Bell Centre.[49][50]

Postponed game

[edit]

Standings

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Eastern Conference

[edit]
Top 3 (Metropolitan Division)
Pos Team
 GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 New Jersey Devils 5 4 1 0 4 17 9 +8 8
2 New York Rangers 3 2 0 1 2 15 7 +8 5
3 Pittsburgh Penguins 4 2 2 0 2 14 16 −2 4
Updated to game(s) played on October 14, 2024. Source: National Hockey League[52]
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 Toronto Maple Leafs 3 2 1 0 2 8 5 +3 4
2 Ottawa Senators 3 2 1 0 1 12 12 0 4
3 Montreal Canadiens 4 2 2 0 2 12 13 −1 4
Updated to game(s) played on October 14, 2024. Source: National Hockey League[52]
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 Florida Panthers 4 2 2 0 2 13 15 −2 4
2 AT Boston Bruins 4 2 2 0 1 15 15 0 4
3 ME New York Islanders 3 1 1 1 1 10 10 0 3
4 AT Tampa Bay Lightning 1 1 0 0 1 4 1 +3 2
5 ME Columbus Blue Jackets 2 1 1 0 1 8 7 +1 2
6 ME Philadelphia Flyers 2 1 1 0 0 6 8 −2 2
7 AT Detroit Red Wings 3 1 2 0 1 7 10 −3 2
8 AT Buffalo Sabres 4 1 3 0 1 8 12 −4 2
9 ME Washington Capitals 1 0 1 0 0 3 5 −2 0
10 ME Carolina Hurricanes 1 0 1 0 0 1 4 −3 0
Updated to game(s) played on October 14, 2024. Source: National Hockey League[53]
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 Dallas Stars 3 3 0 0 3 9 3 +6 6
2 Winnipeg Jets 3 3 0 0 1 10 2 +8 6
3 Utah Hockey Club 3 3 0 0 1 16 11 +5 6
Updated to game(s) played on October 14, 2024. Source: National Hockey League[52]
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 3 3 0 0 3 15 8 +7 6
2 Calgary Flames 3 3 0 0 2 16 9 +7 6
3 Los Angeles Kings 3 1 0 2 1 11 11 0 4
Updated to game(s) played on October 14, 2024. Source: National Hockey League[52]
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 3 2 1 0 1 11 10 +1 4
2 CE Minnesota Wild 3 1 0 2 1 8 9 −1 4
3 CE Chicago Blackhawks 3 1 1 1 1 8 9 −1 3
4 PA Anaheim Ducks 2 1 1 0 1 3 3 0 2
5 PA Vancouver Canucks 2 0 0 2 0 7 9 −2 2
6 PA Seattle Kraken 3 1 2 0 0 7 9 −2 2
7 PA San Jose Sharks 2 0 1 1 0 4 7 −3 1
8 CE Nashville Predators 2 0 2 0 0 3 7 −4 0
9 CE Colorado Avalanche 3 0 3 0 0 10 20 −10 0
10 PA Edmonton Oilers 3 0 3 0 0 3 15 −12 0
Updated to game(s) played on October 13, 2024. Source: National Hockey League[53]
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 October 14, 2024.[54]

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Artemi Panarin New York Rangers 3 2 5 7 +2 0
Jack Eichel Vegas Golden Knights 3 1 6 7 +4 0
Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins 4 1 6 7 –2 0
Mark Scheifele Winnipeg Jets 3 4 2 6 +1 0
Ivan Barbashev Vegas Golden Knights 3 3 3 6 +4 0
Anze Kopitar Los Angeles Kings 3 3 3 6 +3 0
Tim Stutzle Ottawa Senators 3 3 3 6 +1 0
Clayton Keller Utah Hockey Club 4 3 3 6 +2 4
Mark Stone Vegas Golden Knights 3 2 4 6 +5 0
Jordan Kyrou St. Louis Blues 3 2 4 6 +4 2

Leading goaltenders

[edit]

The following goaltenders led the league in regular season goals against average at the completion of games played on October 14, 2024, while playing at least 55 minutes.[55]

Player Team GP TOI W L OTL GA SO SV% GAA
Casey DeSmith Dallas Stars 1 59:39 1 0 0 0 1 1.000 0.00
Lukas Dostal Anaheim Ducks 1 59:50 1 0 0 0 1 1.000 0.00
Jake Allen New Jersey Devils 2 120:00 2 0 0 1 1 .974 0.50
Connor Hellebuyck Winnipeg Jets 3 180:54 3 0 0 2 1 .976 0.66
Ilya Samsonov Vegas Golden Knights 1 60:00 1 0 0 1 0 .957 1.00
Andrei Vasilevskiy Tampa Bay Lightning 1 60:00 1 0 0 1 0 .952 1.00
Vitek Vanecek San Jose Sharks 1 57:59 0 1 0 1 0 .966 1.03
Cam Talbot Detroit Red Wings 2 94:32 1 0 0 2 1 .964 1.27
Jake Oettinger Dallas Stars 2 119:19 2 0 0 3 1 .957 1.51
Anthony Stolarz Toronto Maple Leafs 2 116:47 1 1 0 3 0 .940 1.54

Uniforms

[edit]

This will be the first season for Fanatics as the official apparel provider of the NHL under a ten-year contract, replacing Adidas, which was the official apparel provider on a seven-year contract since the 2017–18 season.[56]

Wholesale team changes

[edit]
  • The Anaheim Ducks unveiled a new logo and uniforms, introducing a modernized version of their Mighty Ducks-era primary logo previously utilized from 1993 to 2006, but re-colored in their current orange, black, and gold color scheme. Their new uniforms feature an orange base, with matching helmets and pants.[57]
  • The Los Angeles Kings unveiled a new logo, consisting of a modernized version of their Wayne Gretzky-era logo utilized from 1988 to 1998, with the crown from their original 1967 logo.[58] The Kings also revealed new jerseys, similarly based off their 1988–98 set, and featuring a new matte black helmet.[59]
  • The Utah Hockey Club revealed their temporary logo, colors, and uniforms for their inaugural season. The logo depicts a roundel with a "Utah" wordmark in the center, ringed with "Hockey Club" and colored with mountain blue, rock black, and salt white.[60] The home uniforms consisted of a black base with a diagonal "UTAH" wordmark across the front, with blue and white striping, with the road uniforms utilizing a white base with black and blue striping.[61]
  • The Washington Capitals re-introduced their black "Screaming Eagle" 2022–23 Reverse Retro uniforms as their new alternate uniforms.[62][63]

Milestones

[edit]

First games

[edit]

The following is a list of notable players who played their first NHL game during the 2024–25 season, listed with their first team.

Player Team Notability
Macklin Celebrini[64] San Jose Sharks First overall pick in the 2024 draft

Major milestones reached

[edit]
  • On October 8, 2024, the Seattle Kraken named Jordan Eberle their new captain, marking the first season since 2010–11 in which every NHL franchise has a captain.[65]
  • On October 9, 2024, Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor scored a goal in Winnipeg's first game for the seventh consecutive year, setting a new NHL record for consecutive season-openers with a goal.[66][67]

Broadcast rights

[edit]

Canada

[edit]

National

[edit]

This is the 11th season of the 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] Games are 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 teams.[69]

This is the first season of a two-year sub-license for Amazon Prime Video to air Monday Night Hockey, replacing Rogers Monday Night Hockey on Sportsnet.[70] Prime Video also airs a weekly whiparound studio show, NHL Coast To Coast, on Thursday nights.[71]

Local

[edit]

Sportsnet West signed an 11-year extension to continue televising Calgary Flames[72] and Edmonton Oilers[73] games through the 2034–35 season.

Personnel

[edit]

Prime Monday Night Hockey features a new broadcast team, led by John Forslund on play-by-play, and Thomas Hickey, Shane Hnidy and Jody Shelley on color commentary.[74][70]

The Calgary Flames hired Jon Abbott to be the new TV play-by-play announcer this season after Rick Ball left to become the Chicago Blackhawks' TV play-by-play announcer. Abbott was previously the backup TV play-by-play announcer for the Ottawa Senators.[75][76]

The Ottawa Senators hired Matt Cullen to replace Jon Abbott as the team's backup TV play-by-play announcer, typically filling in during Gord Miller's national TSN assignments. Cullen has called games for the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League, and various events for CBC Olympic broadcasts, among others.[76][77]

United States

[edit]

National

[edit]

This is the fourth season of the league's seven-year U.S. national broadcast rights deals with the ESPN family of networks and TNT Sports.[78]

ESPN broadcasts games on selected Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends throughout the season. ESPN2 has a doubleheader on Friday, December 27. ABC's schedule includes Hockey Saturday on selected Saturdays between January 4 and April 12, and a Sunday game on January 5. ESPN+ and Hulu exclusively streams games on selected days throughout the season. ESPN+ also streams all of ABC's games, selected ESPN's games, and the NHL Power Play on ESPN+ out-of-market package. The 2025 NHL Stadium Series will be on ESPN instead of ABC.[79]

TNT has games on Wednesday nights throughout the season, selected Sundays between February 23 and April 13, the Thanksgiving Showdown on November 29, and the Winter Classic on December 31. Some of TNT's games are simulcast on TruTV. All games are streamed on Max. Not all of TNT's regular season games are exclusive broadcasts and are thus subject to blackout in local markets. As per the rotation, TNT holds the rights to the Stanley Cup Finals this season.[80]

While ESPN and ABC would normally televise the All-Star skills competition and the All-Star Game, respectively, the rights to the eight-day 4 Nations Face-Off tournament has been split by ABC, ESPN, and TNT: TNT will broadcast the round-robin games on February 12 and 17, ABC/ESPN+ will have the February 15 round-robin doubleheader, and ESPN will air the United States–Finland game and the final.[50]

Local

[edit]

The Chicago Blackhawks, the NBA's Chicago Bulls, MLB's Chicago White Sox, and Standard Media launched the Chicago Sports Network, replacing NBC Sports Chicago as their regional broadcaster.[81][82] CHSN is available as a digital multicast television network within the team's broadcast territory, with WJYS in Hammond, Indiana serving as flagship station for the Chicago market.[83]

The Colorado Avalanche's broadcaster, Altitude Sports and Entertainment, reached an agreement with Tegna Inc. to simulcast 20 games on its Denver MyNetworkTV station KTVD, with selected games on parent NBC station KUSA.[84]

The Seattle Kraken's regional broadcasts moved from Root Sports Northwest to the Kraken Hockey Network, as part of a multi-year agreement between the team and Tegna. Its Seattle independent station KONG serves as flagship station, with selected games on parent NBC station KING-TV. Games are also syndicated to broadcast stations across the team's broadcast territory, and stream on Amazon Prime Video within the team's broadcast territory.[85][86]

As part of the asset transfer, the Utah Hockey Club received the Arizona Coyotes' existing broadcasting contract with Scripps Sports. KUPX in Salt Lake City, which had been televising Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights games, was named as the Utah team's new flagship station.[87] In turn, Arizona's former television territory was granted to the Golden Knights, who announced broadcasting agreements with the Phoenix-based KASW and Tucson-based KWBA.[88][89]

Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy
[edit]
Further information: Diamond Sports Group § Bankruptcy

Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of the Bally Sports regional sports networks, has been under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since March 2023.

On July 2, 2024, the Florida Panthers and Bally Sports Florida mutually agreed to end their broadcast partnership. The Panthers then signed a multi-year agreement with Scripps Sports to broadcast games on three Scripps-owned stations: WSFL-TV in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, WHDT in West Palm Beach and a yet-to-be-announced station in Fort Myers.[90]

On July 5, Bally Sports terminated its contract with the Dallas Stars through bankruptcy court.[91] The Stars subsequently announced a new digital platform known as Victory+ as part of a partnership with A Parent Media Co., to carry the team's ancillary video content, and stream regionally-televised games in-market for free.[92]

On August 23, 2024, Diamond Sports announced a long-term agreement with nine of the teams to which it holds broadcast rights, committing to televise their games through at least the 2024–25 season with an approximately 20% reduction in rights fees. The agreement will extend to future seasons pending the approval of Diamond's bankruptcy plan by the court.[93][94]

Despite being part of the announced deals,[94] the Anaheim Ducks announced on August 27 that it would instead move to Victory+. Games will also be simulcast on Fox Television Stations' MyNetworkTV station KCOP-TV in Los Angeles.[95]

On September 20, 2024, the St. Louis Blues announced four of its five preseason games would be on Victory+; regular season games continues to air on Bally Sports.[96]

Personnel

[edit]

The Boston Bruins hired Judd Sirott to be the new TV play-by-play announcer this season following the retirement of Jack Edwards. Sirott was previously the team's radio play-by-play announcer.[97][98] Ryan Johnston was then hired to replace Sirott on the radio booth.[99]

The Columbus Blue Jackets hired Steve Mears to be the new TV play-by-play announcer this season following the retirement of Jeff Rimer. Mears was previously the play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Penguins, spending six seasons on television before moving to radio last season.[100]

The Chicago Blackhawks hired Rick Ball to replace Chris Vosters as the team's TV play-by-play announcer. Ball was previously the lead TV play-by-play announcer for the Calgary Flames and occasional announcer of Sportsnet's national NHL broadcasts.[75][101]

New York Rangers TV play-by-play announcer Sam Rosen announced his impending retirement after this season. Rosen called Rangers games since the 1977–78 season, and became the full-time lead TV announcer starting with the 1984–85 season. Rosen also called national radio games of the Stanley Cup Finals for NHL Radio from 1996 to 2008.[102]

The Pittsburgh Penguins hired Joe Brand to replace Mears as their radio play-by-play announcer. Brand was previously the Chicago Blackhawks' radio studio host and backup play-by-play announcer.[103]

The San Jose Sharks promoted Drew Remenda to primary TV color commentator following Bret Hedican stepping down to take a role with the San Diego Gulls. Remenda had previously been the main commentator with Randy Hahn from 2000 to 2006, and 2007 to 2014, and had been serving as a backup to Hedican since 2022. Jason Demers, Jamal Mayers and Alex Stalock joined Scott Hannan as alternate color commentators, with the four of them and Remenda cycling as the radio color commentator alongside Dan Rusanowsky.[104]

The Utah Hockey Club hired former Arizona Coyotes play-by-play announcer Matt McConnell for the same position, with ABC/ESPN analyst Dominic Moore and Seattle Kraken color analyst Nick Olczyk hired as TV analysts.[105]

Los Angeles Kings play-by-play announcer Nick Nickson announced his impending retirement after this season. Nickson joined the Kings in the 1981–82 season, initially as the television and radio color commentator with Bob Miller, before becoming the exclusive radio play-by-play announcer by the 1990–91 season. Nickson spent the last two seasons doing play-by-play on both television and radio alongside analysts Jim Fox and Daryl Evans.[106]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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  3. ^ "Coyotes bid Arizona farewell with bittersweet win over Oilers". ESPN.com. April 17, 2024. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024. There could be a new arena -- eventually. Meruelo had been pursuing a tract of land in north Phoenix to build it. When delays pushed the land auction until June, the NHL and the players' association got cold feet about continuing to play at Mullett Arena, the loud-but-bandbox-sized venue shared with Arizona State University. Meruelo was adamant about not selling the team despite constant offers since he bought in 2019, but he also didn't want the players stuck playing in a 5,000-seat arena -- by far the NHL's smallest -- that wasn't up to league standards. With no guarantee he would have an arena and with no other options, Meruelo agreed to sell the franchise.
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