Bettman's Latest Announcement Screws Canadian NHL Teams

The NHL has announced their broadcast schedule in the United States. Many fans are noticing that certain Canadian markets will not be seen in prime time this year. This has led to a lot of backlash directed at Gary Bettman and the NHL.

NHL Releases Broadcast Schedule

Today the NHL released its American broadcast schedule for the 2023-24 season. Once it was released many realized that there would only be a Canadian team appearing on national television 31 times this season.




On top of this 29 of the 31 times a Canadian team will be on primetime, it will be either the Toronto Maple Leafs or Edmonton Oilers. The Vancouver Canucks will also appear twice on primetime as well.

American Stars Left Out Of The Spotlight

Several of the Canadian teams left off of the American broadcast schedule contain some of the USA's biggest stars.

The Ottawa Senators have both Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson. The Montreal Canadiens have dynamic sniper Cole Caufield. Finally, the Winnipeg Jets have arguably the best player of the group in Kyle Connor. None of these players will be marketed to or seen by American viewers in the 2023-24 season.

This continues ESPN and TNT's disappointing run of broadcasting NHL hockey. Especially with the potential return of international hockey in the coming years the NHL. These networks should be pushing any American star they can. The NHL giving up on showcasing Canadian markets on national broadcasts further shows their inability to use individual players to drive viewership.