The2025–26 NHL season is the109th season of operation (108th season of play) of theNational Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on October 7, 2025.[1] This will be the final regular season played under the 82-game schedule before the schedule will expand to 84 games in 2026–27.[2] A mid-season break will take place in February due to the NHL's participation in the2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.[1] TheStanley Cup playoffs are then planned to begin in April 2026, ending with theStanley Cup Final in June. After playing the previous season under its temporary identity, the Utah Hockey Club was renamed theUtah Mammoth in the off-season.[3]
The 2020 extension of the 2013collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires at the end of the 2025–26 NHL season.[4][5] On June 27, 2025, the league and theNHL Players' Association agreed on a new four-year extension that will take effect from the 2026–27 to 2029–30 seasons. Among the changes under the agreement, the 2026–27 regular season will expand from 82 to 84 games.[2]
After opting to play the2024–25 season with a temporary identity, theUtah Hockey Club announced on January 29, 2025, that fans attending their following four home games in late January and early February could vote for a permanent identity for the club, with the final three options being the existing Utah Hockey Club, Utah Mammoth, and Utah Wasatch. While the Wasatch name was not one of the six finalists, it was intended to honor the idea of a mythical snow creature similar to the yeti, with a "Utah-centric" approach inspired by theWasatch Mountains;[7] though originally considered a likely name, "Yeti" or "Yetis" had been ruled out as a choice following trademark disputes withYeti Holdings.[8] One day later, on January 30, the team announced that "Wasatch" was being removed from the survey, being replaced by previously announced option "Utah Outlaws".[9]
On April 30, 2025, speculation arose that "Mammoth" was the selected name following leaks online that showed the team changing itsYouTube handle to "UtahMammoth."[10] This speculation was confirmed on May 7, 2025, when the team officially revealed their permanent name as the "Utah Mammoth." A new logo and uniforms were revealed as well, retaining the same color and striping scheme.[11]
On April 19, 2025, three days after the conclusion of their season, the Ducks fired Cronin. In two seasons with Anaheim, Cronin compiled a 62–87–15 record, missing the playoffs in both years.[12] Quenneville, most recently head coach of theFlorida Panthers from 2019 to 2021, was named head coach on May 8.[13]
Montgomery was fired on November 19, 2024, after the Bruins started the season 8–9–3. In just over two seasons with the Bruins, Montgomery totaled a 120–41–23 record with two playoff appearances, including aPresidents' Trophy in2023 following one ofthe greatest regular seasons in NHL history. Sacco, a Bruins assistant coach, and formerly head coach of theColorado Avalanche from 2009 to 2013, was named interim head coach the same day,[14] and finished out the season with a 24–30–6 record. Sturm, most recently head coach of theLos Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate, theOntario Reign, and who played five seasons for the Bruins from 2005 to 2010, was named head coach on June 5.[15]
Richardson was fired on December 5, 2024, after the Blackhawks began the season 8–16–2. In just over two seasons with Chicago, Richardson totaled a 57–118–15 record, failing to reach the playoffs in either completed year. Sorensen, previously the head coach of the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, theRockford IceHogs, was named interim head coach the same day.[16] Sorensen became the first Swedish-born head coach in NHL history,[17] and finished out the season with a 17–30–9 record. Blashill, most recently an assistant coach with theTampa Bay Lightning, and previously head coach of theDetroit Red Wings from 2015 to 2022, was named head coach on May 22.[18]
DeBoer was fired on June 6, 2025, eight days after the Stars' elimination from the2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In three seasons with the team, DeBoer recorded a 149–68–29 record, reaching the Western Conference finals in all three seasons, but failing to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.[19] Gulutzan, who had previously coached Dallas from 2011 to 2013, and most recently served as an assistant coach with theEdmonton Oilers, was named head coach on July 1.[20]
Laviolette was fired on April 19, 2025, two days after the conclusion of the Rangers' season. In two seasons with the Rangers, Laviolette recorded a 94–59–11 record, winning thePresidents' Trophy and reaching the Eastern conference finals in his first year, but missing the playoffs in his second.[21] Sullivan, most recently the head coach of thePittsburgh Penguins from 2015 to 2025, was named head coach on May 2.[22]
Tortorella was fired on March 27, 2025, with the Flyers holding a 28–36–9 record, and after a 1–10–1 record in their 12 games prior to Tortorella's dismissal. In just under three seasons with Philadelphia, Tortorella posted a 97–107–33 record, with no playoff appearances. Shaw, previously an assistant coach, was named interim head coach the same day,[23] and compiled a 5–3–1 record over the final nine games of the season. Tocchet, most recently the head coach of theVancouver Canucks from 2023 to 2025, and who played 11 seasons for the Flyers from 1984 to 1992 and 2000 to 2002, was named head coach on May 14.[24]
Sullivan and the Penguins mutually agreed to part ways on April 28, 2025, 11 days after the conclusion of the Penguins' season. In nine and a half seasons with Pittsburgh, Sullivan totaled a 409–255–89 record, reaching the playoffs seven times and winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in2016 and2017.[25] Muse, most recently an assistant coach with theNew York Rangers, was named head coach on June 4.[26]
Bylsma was fired on April 21, 2025, six days after the conclusion of the Kraken's season. Bylsma recorded a 35–41–6 record in his only season with Seattle, missing the playoffs.[27] Lambert, most recently an assistant coach for theToronto Maple Leafs, and previously head coach of theNew York Islanders from 2022 to 2024, was named head coach on May 29.[28]
On April 29, 2025, fourteen days after the conclusion of the Canucks' season, Tocchet and the Canucks mutually agreed to part ways. In two and-a-half seasons with Vancouver, Tocchet recorded a 108–65–27 record with one playoff appearance, reaching the second round in2024.[29] Foote, the assistant coach, was promoted to head coach on May 14.[30]
Evason was fired on January 12, 2026, after Columbus began the season 19–19–7. In a season and a half with Columbus, Evason posted a 59–52–16 record, missing the playoffs in his one completed season. Bowness, most recently head coach of theWinnipeg Jets from 2022 to 2024 before retiring at the conclusion of the2023–24 season, was named head coach the same day.[31]
On May 5, 2025, four days after the Kings' first-round elimination from theplayoffs, Blake and the Kings mutually agreed to part ways. Blake had served as general manager since 2017, overseeing five playoff appearances, but never advancing past the first round.[32] Holland, who was most recently general manager of theEdmonton Oilers from 2019 to 2024, was named general manager on May 14.[33]
On April 22, 2025, five days after the conclusion of the Islanders' season, and with his contract expiring, the team announced that Lamoriello would not return as general manager. Lamoriello had served as general manager of the Islanders since 2018, overseeing five playoff berths, including two Eastern Conference finals appearances.[34] Darche, who had been an assistant general manager with theTampa Bay Lightning since 2022, was named general manager on May 23.[35]
On April 22, 2025, Francis was promoted to president of hockey operations. Botterill, an assistant general manager, who was previously general manager of theBuffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020, was promoted to general manager the same day.[36]
Adams was fired on December 15, 2025, after the Sabres began the season 14–14–4. Adams had served as the Sabres' general manager since 2020, with the team missing the playoffs in all five completed seasons of his tenure, extendingthe longest playoff drought in NHL history, dating back to2011. Kekalainen, who had been hired as a senior advisor by Buffalo in May 2025, and previously served as general manager of theColumbus Blue Jackets from 2013 to 2024, was named general manager the same day.[37]
On December 17, 2025, Penguins ownership group, Fenway Sports, agreed in principal on a sale of controlling interest of the club to the private equity firm, Hoffman Family of Companies.[38] The NHL approved of the sale on December 19, 2025.[39] The Hoffman Family of Companies also owns theFlorida Everblades of theECHL and their arena,Hertz Arena.
Wells Fargo Center, the home of the Philadelphia Flyers, was renamed toXfinity Mobile Arena on August 14, 2025, under a new naming rights deal withXfinity, a subsidiary ofComcast (which owns the team and arena through itsSpectacor division).[41]
This is the final year on the original 30-year lease onKeyBank Center, the home of theBuffalo Sabres.Erie County, the entity responsible for the lease, announced it would not renew its lease once it expires, and the nominal owner, the city ofBuffalo, indicated an inability to afford keeping the arena open.[43][44] In a statement to the press, Sabres chief operating officer Pete Guelli insisted that the team did not intend to relocate.[45] On July 30, 2025, it was announced by the Buffalo Sabres and KeyBank that the naming rights to KeyBank Center were extended through the 2035–36 season,[46] and on September 27 the franchise confirmed the continuation of the lease of the arena itself through at least September 2031.[47]
The2026 All-Star Game was planned to be held in early February 2026, atUBS Arena inElmont, New York, the home of theNew York Islanders. The league intended to use the game as a "send-off" for the league's players participation at the2026 Games inMilan andCortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, with players who would have competed in both leaving directly from New York to Italy. This was scheduled to be the first time that the league participated in theOlympics since 2014, and it would have been the first time the All-Star Game was held in the same year as Olympic participation since2002.[51] However, the league announced on April 30, 2025, that the game had been canceled, with UBS Arena instead hosting an unspecified Olympic kickoff event.[52] By October 2025, the league decided to cancel the event altogether and postpone UBS Arena's All-Star Game to 2027.[53]
Updated to game(s) played on February 5, 2026. Source: National Hockey League[55] 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)
Updated to game(s) played on February 5, 2026. Source: National Hockey League[55] 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)
Updated to game(s) played on February 5, 2026. Source: National Hockey League[56] 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)
Updated to game(s) played on February 5, 2026. Source: National Hockey League[55] 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)
Updated to game(s) played on February 5, 2026. Source: National Hockey League[55] 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)
Updated to game(s) played on February 5, 2026. Source: National Hockey League[56] 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)
The following goaltenders led the league in regular seasongoals against average at the completion of games played on February 5, 2026, while playing at least 1,020 minutes.[58]
TheBoston Bruins unveiled a new logo, permanently adopting the re-designed "spoked B" logo previously used in their2023–24 centennial season and 2024 centennial game. The team also introduced new uniforms, resembling jerseys worn by the Bruins in the 1980s and 1990s as well as the prior season's centennial game.[59]
TheCarolina Hurricanes revealed a new road jersey, based off the jersey the team wore during the2023 Stadium Series. The logo is recolored in black and red, with theflag of North Carolina on the left shoulder, and a "strutting Stormy" mascot logo, based off of the vintage logos of the four "Tobacco Road" college teams in the area, on the right shoulder.[60]
TheChicago Blackhawks debuted a centennial edition uniform, which will temporarily replace their regular red home jerseys for the entire season. This uniform mostly resembles their current home jerseys, but added a lace-up collar and gold trim around the crest and back numbers, as well as the 100th anniversary patch on the right shoulder.[61] The Blackhawks also reintoduced their alternate black jerseys, to be worn for select home games.[62]
TheDallas Stars unveiled a new "'99" third jersey based off of the "big star" design worn from1997 to2006. The jersey features the design in the team's current colors, with a black base and victory green waist and sleeve sections, as well as "3OT 1999" written in the collar, referencing the Stars'1999 Stanley Cup Final game 6 victory in the original jerseys.[64][65]
TheDetroit Red Wings unveiled a centennial edition uniform, which they will wear for select home games. They feature inspirations from the previous incarnations of the team, the Detroit Cougars and the Detroit Falcons, as well as a chain-stitched crest featuring the original version of the team's "winged wheel" primary logo.[66]
TheEdmonton Oilers revealed a new third jersey to be worn seven times during the season. The light-tan uniform features an all-new "Oilers" wordmark as the crest and a new "Oil Country" shoulder patch, with a blue shoulder yoke and blue and orange striping.[67]
TheLos Angeles Kings debuted a new third jersey to be worn 16 times during the season. The jersey resembles the Kings' original 1967 uniforms, featuring the team's classic crown logo as the crest, but with a black base and silver striping replacing the original forum blue and gold.[68][69]
TheMinnesota Wild re-introduced their former white jerseys, worn from their2000–01 inaugural season through2012–13, as a 25th anniversary uniform, but with the formerly-tan striping and sleeve numbers now gold.[70]
TheNew York Rangers debuted a centennial edition uniform, which they will wear for select home games. They feature a lighter shade of blue compared to their regular jerseys and the diagonal "RANGERS" wordmark in white lettering, paying tribute to the uniforms worn by the team during theirinaugural 1926–27 season.[71]
ThePittsburgh Penguins unveiled a new third jersey featuring a yellow base with black striping and their skating-penguin crest without its usual triangle. The jersey features multiple design choices referencing the city of Pittsburgh itself, with the gold base evoking previous Penguins third jerseys.[73]
TheSan Jose Sharks re-introduced their former teal uniforms, previously worn from1998 to2007, as their "Heritage 2.0" 35th anniversary jersey.[74]
TheSeattle Kraken unveiled a new third jersey. The jersey is black, with sonar-inspired stripes on the sleeves and socks. The crest, stripes andMuckleshoot Tribe sponsor patch glow in the dark, referencingbioluminescence commonly found in deep sea creatures.[75]
TheSt. Louis Blues revealed a new logo and colors based on the "heritage" blue note used in the2017 and2022 Winter Classic games. The home uniforms resemble those worn in the 2017 game and utilized as an alternate jersey from 2018 to 2025, while the road uniforms resemble those worn in the 2022 game. The previous navy-accented blue home jersey were retained as alternates.[76]
TheUtah Mammoth debuted their first jersey set since rebranding from the Utah Hockey Club. The home jerseys have replaced the diagonal "UTAH" wordmark with the Mammoth primary logo crest and Utah state outline shoulder patches, while the road uniforms retain the wordmark in an overhauled font and feature the Mammoth logo on the shoulders.[77]
TheWashington Capitals revealed a new third jersey for the second consecutive season. The new red jersey, worn for 15 home games, features striping and a white yoke referencing the Capitals' original 1970s and 1980s uniforms, but with the "Screaming Eagle" crest andCapitol dome shoulder patches of the 1990s and early 2000s, as well as the previous season's 50th anniversary alternate.[78]
TheFlorida Panthers and New York Rangers introduced uniforms for the2026 Winter Classic. The Panthers' uniforms include a retro-inspired version of the "Leaping Panther" logo as a crest, while the Rangers' uniforms are a white version of their centennial edition uniforms, with the diagonal "NEW YORK" wordmark in blue lettering.[79]
The Boston Bruins andTampa Bay Lightning introduced uniforms for the2026 Stadium Series. The Bruins' uniforms feature a new bright gold base and their new bear shoulder patch as the crest, with a "BOSTON" wordmark above. The Lightning's uniforms incorporate a new sky blue color for the striping and numbers, and a diagonal "TBL" wordmark across the front.[80]
On June 28, 2025, the Ottawa Senators selectedBruno Idzan 181st overall in the sixth round of the2025 NHL entry draft, making him the firstCroatian selected in the NHL draft.[82]
On October 11, 2025, Colorado Avalanche defensemanBrent Burns played his 1,500th NHL game, becoming the 23rd player to reach the mark.[83]
On October 18, 2025, Toronto Maple Leafs forwardJohn Tavares became the fourth player to score 500 points with two different teams.[84]
On October 21, 2025, Edmonton Oilers forwardAdam Henrique played his1,000th NHL game, becoming the 409th player to reach the mark.[85]
On October 25, 2025, Tampa Bay Lightning forwardNikita Kucherov recorded his1,000th point, becoming the 101st player to reach the mark.[86]
On October 25, 2025, Washington Capitals forwardAlexander Ovechkin played his 1,500th NHL game, becoming the 24th player to reach the mark.[87]
On October 25, 2025, Florida Panthers goaltenderSergei Bobrovsky recorded his 50thshutout, becoming the 33rd goaltender to reach the mark.[88]
On October 27, 2025, Pittsburgh Penguins forwardSidney Crosby recorded his 1,700th point, becoming the ninth player to reach the mark.[89]
On October 29, 2025, Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares scored his500th goal, becoming the 49th player to reach the mark.[90]
On October 30, 2025, Dallas Stars forwardTyler Seguin played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 410th player to reach the mark.[91]
On November 5, 2025, Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin scored his 900th goal, becoming the first player in NHL history to reach the mark.[92]
On November 5, 2025, Calgary Flames forwardNazem Kadri played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 411th player to reach the mark.[93]
On November 9, 2025, Minnesota Wild forwardMarcus Johansson played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 412th player to reach the mark.[94]
On November 13, 2025, Florida Panthers forwardBrad Marchand recorded his 1,000th point, becoming the 102nd player to reach the mark.[95]
On November 17, 2025, Florida Panthers defensemanJeff Petry played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 413th player to reach the mark.[96]
On November 18, 2025, St. Louis Blues defensemanJustin Faulk played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 414th player to reach the mark.[97]
On December 1, 2025, New Jersey Devils defensemanBrenden Dillon played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 415th player to reach the mark.[98]
On December 11, 2025, Carolina Hurricanes goaltenderBrandon Bussi recorded his 10th win in his 11th NHL game, becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to win 10 of his first 11 games, and the fastest goaltender in NHL history to 10 career wins.[99][100]
On December 13, 2025, Winnipeg Jets forwardNino Niederreiter played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the first Swiss-born and 416th overall player to reach the mark.[101]
On December 16, 2025, Edmonton Oilers forwardLeon Draisaitl recorded his 1,000th point, becoming the first German-born and 103rd overall player to reach the mark.[102]
On January 18, 2026, Edmonton Oilers forwardRyan Nugent-Hopkins played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 417th player to reach the mark.[106]
On January 21, 2026, Anaheim Ducks forwardAlex Killorn played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 418th player to reach the mark.[107]
On January 22, 2026, Columbus Blue Jackets forwardCharlie Coyle played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 419th player to reach the mark.[108]
On January 22, 2026, Nashville Predators defensemanRoman Josi played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 420th player to reach the mark.[109]
On January 29, 2026, Detroit Red Wings forwardPatrick Kane scored his 1,375th point, setting a new all-time record for points among U.S.-born players, and surpassing the record previously held byMike Modano.[110]
On January 29, 2026, Buffalo Sabres forwardAlex Tuch scored a hat trick, setting a league record for most hat tricks in a single month at 30.[111] The record increased to 31 after forwardCharlie Coyle of the Columbus Blue Jackets scored a hat trick on January 30.[112]
This is the 12th and final season of the Canadian national broadcast rights deal withSportsnet, before a new 12-year contract begins in 2026–27.[113] The original deal expiring this 2025–26 season includes Sportsnet's sub-licensing agreements to air SaturdayHockey Night in Canada games onCBC Television, French-language broadcasts onTVA Sports,[114] and the final year ofAmazon Prime Video's two-year streaming deal.[115]
Linear television
SaturdayHockey Night in Canada games air on CBC, one or more of thefour Sportsnet feeds,Sportsnet One,Sportsnet 360, orCitytv. Decisions on network assignments are made on a week-by-week basis, and select games may simulcast on multiple networks.[116]
Sportsnet airsWednesday Night Hockey, the Winter Classic, Stadium Series, and All-Star Game.[114]
Sportsnet+ will stream games depending on tier, with national games available on the Standard level, out-of-market games on the Premium tier, and via authenticated streaming on participating teams.[118]
This is the fifth season of the league's seven-year U.S. national broadcast rights deals with theESPN family of networks andTNT Sports.[119] A total of 16 more national games will be on linear channels this season. ESPN will continue to produce 100 games, but three more will be on its linear channels versus being exclusively streamed. TNT will have 13 more games this season, hitting the maximum 72 allowed per season in its contract for the first time.[120][121] These time slots opened up after changes to both networks' rights to theNBA (with ESPN having a reduced schedule underits new NBA contract, and TNT having lostits rights to that league entirely), as well changes to ESPN'sMajor League Baseball contract.[120][122]
Linear television
ESPN will continue to have the opening day tripleheader, but the network is now free to schedule other games on any day of the week except duringNBA Wednesday games, with Thursday being the most common day. The schedule includes Sunday night games on February 1, March 1, and March 8 (in place ofNBA Sunday games); and on April 5 (in place ofSunday Night Baseball).[122][123]ABC's airsHockey Saturday on ten weekends, including afternoon singleheaders on January 3, January 10, and March 14; afternoon doubleheaders on January 31, February 28, March 7, and April 4; night singleheaders on March 21 and March 28; and an afternoon–night tripleheader on April 11. For the second consecutive season, the Stadium Series will be on ESPN instead of ABC. As per the rotation, ABC holds the rights to theStanley Cup Final this season.[124][123]
TNT will have Wednesday night games throughout the regular season; the Thanksgiving Showdown; the Winter Classic; Sunday afternoon games on March 1, March 8, April 5, and April 12; and a Sunday night game on March 15.[125] With its loss of rights to the NBA, TNT will also air games on 13 selected Tuesdays to occupy what was theNBA on TNT's flagship window (including a tripleheader on December 23 to precede the Christmas break), a Thursday game on October 30, and a doubleheader onMartin Luther King Jr. Day (counterprogramming the NBA'straditional slate of games on that day).[120][122] Not all of TNT Sports' regular season games will be exclusive broadcasts and are thus subject toblackout in local markets.[121]
Streaming
All ESPN-produced games will be available on ESPN's newdirect-to-consumer streaming service.ESPN+ andHulu will also continue to have exclusive games on select days throughout the season, mostly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. ESPN+ also has theNHL Power Play on ESPN+ out-of-market package.[123]
HBO Max streams all TNT Sports-produced games.[121]
This is the third season of the league's six-year deal withSiriusXM andSiriusXM Canada to simulcast all 32 teams' local regular season and postseason broadcasts.[126]
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced an agreement withScripps Sports to replaceFanDuel Sports Network Sun as the team's local broadcast partner.WXPX-TV will serve as the flagship station for Lightning games.[127] A DTC streaming option will also be available.[128]
In January, the Wild announced an agreement withHubbard Broadcasting andGray Media to simulcast four games on over-the-air networks across Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The games will be the first time since 2010-11 that the Wild have aired local games over-the-air.[131]
FanDuel Sports Network teams
In December 2025, theWall Street Journal reported thatDAZN was in advanced talks to acquire a majority stake inMain Street Sports Group, the owner of theFanDuel Sports Networks. If the deal goes through, DAZN and Main Street would integrate their live streaming platform in the United States and collaborate on programming.[132] Afterwards,Sports Business Journal reported that Main Street had missed a payment to theSt. Louis Cardinals baseball team and that the company would be forced to dissolve operations at the end of the 2025–26 season if the deal with DAZN did not go through by the end of January 2026.[133] In January,Sports Business Journal reported that Main Street had missed payments to "several, if not all 13" of itsNBA teams. As a result, Main Street and the teams with missed payments entered a 15-day grace period.[134] Two days later,Sports Business Journal reported that talks with DAZN had stopped progressing and allMLB teams except theTampa Bay Rays had not received payments on-time.[135]
On January 8, 2026, all nine MLB teams with agreements with FanDuel Sports Network terminated their contracts with the company due to missed payments.[136] On February 2, Main Street confirmed that it would no longer air MLB games, but committed to continue broadcasting games with its contracted NHL and NBA teams through at least the conclusion of the current season.Sports Business Journal however reported that Main Street also missed paying the February rights fees on time, and that the networks' future viability is in doubt without MLB teams. It was also reported thatIlitch Holdings was considering an agreement to move both the Red Wings and MLB'sDetroit Tigers toMLB Local Media as a package.[137] This agreement was later confirmed on February 9; unlike the Tigers, the Red Wings will utilize an in-house production, but with MLB Local Media handling distribution.[138]
Personnel
The New York Rangers promoted the radio broadcast team ofKenny Albert (play-by-play) andDave Maloney (color commentator) to replaceSam Rosen andJoe Micheletti in the television booth.Alex Faust and Dave Starman were then brought in to replace Albert and Maloney, with Faust serving as Albert's backup on television during the latter's national TV assignments.[139][140][141][142]
The New York Islanders fired long-time radio announcers Chris King and Greg Picker. King had served as the radio play-by-play man since the1998–99 season, with Picker becoming a radio analyst ahead of the2013–14 season. The Islanders later announced thatAlan Fuehring will take over on radio play-by-play withJosh Bailey as analyst. Additionally,Thomas Hickey will now serve as the primary television analyst withButch Goring moving to a backup role.[143][144]
Toronto Maple Leafs announcerJoe Bowen announced his impending retirement after the season. Bowen began calling Maple Leafs games in the1982–83 season mainly on radio, though he also called regional games on television from1989 to1995, and from1998 to2014.[145]
The New Jersey Devils hiredDon La Greca as its new television play-by-play announcer, replacingBill Spaulding. La Greca was previously the backup radio play-by-play announcer of the New York Rangers.[146]
The St. Louis Blues did not renew the contract of television play-by-play announcerJohn Kelly, ending his 20-year run with the team. The Blues then announced that they will employ a radio and TV simulcast of their games, withChris Kerber andJoe Vitale serving as game announcers, and TV color commentatorJamie Rivers returning to his previous role as studio analyst. The Blues joined the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and Dallas Stars as the only teams to employ a radio and TV simulcast.[147]
The Los Angeles Kings will once again employ separate radio and TV broadcast crews, hiring former Blues announcer John Kelly as its new television play-by-play announcer to replaceNick Nickson. Additionally, the team brought inRay Ferraro,Tony Granato andJarret Stoll to rotate withJim Fox in the TV color analyst role, and Josh Schaefer will serve as Kelly's backup while also serving as the lead radio play-by-play announcer.[148][149] Kelly was also hired by ESPN to call select nationally televised NHL games for ESPN and ESPN+.[150]
On July 30, 2025, the NHL announced a global digital rights deal withDAZN, which will see its international streaming serviceNHL.TV move to DAZN as part of or as an add-on subscription in around 200 countries. The agreement succeeds an existing streaming partnership the NHL had withSportradar.[151][152]
For the eighth consecutive season, the NHL Saturday and NHL Sunday package of regular season games will air across selected European broadcasters.[153][154]
ESPN will additionally air its slate of games in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania and the Netherlands, and will air games throughDisney+ in select markets in Asia and Europe.[155]
Sky Sports will air selected games in the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and San Marino.[156]
Australia'sNine Network will air one regular season match per week each Saturday morning commencing October 18 via its linear9Go! channel and its streaming service9Now for the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season. The feed used for Nine's coverage is tailored for the Australian audience, and acts as a lead-in to the network's coverage of the upcoming2026 Winter Olympics.[157] The coverage is in addition to existing coverage onESPN's Australian service, which is carried onKayo Sports andDisney+.
