NHL on ESPN

ESPN initially covered the NHL during the {{NHL Year|1979}}, {{NHL Year|1980}}{{cite news|last=Quinn|first=Hal|date=January 19, 1981|title=The NHL Comes of Age|url=https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1981/1/19/the-nhl-comes-of-age|work=Maclean's|location=|access-date=February 12, 2021|archive-date=October 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022204742/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1981/1/19/the-nhl-comes-of-age|url-status=dead}} and {{NHL Year|1981}}{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Cammy|url= https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/09/03/nhl-okays-espn-deal/| title= NHL okays ESPN deal|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times| date= September 3, 1992| access-date= February 9, 2016}} seasons by making deals with individual teams.{{cite news|title=Cable Tightrope for Sox, Bruins; Teams Must Balance Broadcasts to Keep Audience But Make Money|date=June 27, 1982|first=Jack|last=Craig|newspaper=Boston Globe|page=1}} This included eleven Hartford Whalers home broadcasts in 1980–81 and 25 the following year.{{cite news|last1=Craig|first1=Jack|title=Whaler cable plan has Bruins upset|work=The Boston Globe|date=June 7, 1981}} Branded as ESPN Hockey, Sam Rosen,{{cite news |authorlink=David J. Halberstam|last=Halberstam|first=David J.|date=March 27, 2018|title=Sam Rosen: 21 Years Covering the NFL on Fox and 34 Seasons as Voice of the NY Rangers|url=https://www.sportsbroadcastjournal.com/sam-rosen-21-years-covering-nfl-34-seasons-ny-rangers/|work=Sports Broadcast Journal|location= }} Barry Landers, and Joe Boyle were employed as play-by-play announcers.{{cite news |last=Agness|first=Scott|date=December 11, 2013|title=Joe Boyle on Dick Vitale and His Son|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/joe-boyle-dick-vitale-and-his-son|work=NBA|location= }} Pete Stemkowski was the lead color commentator.{{cite news |author=Rosen |first=Ron |date=March 25, 1982 |title=Penalty Box Looms for Ex-NHLer |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1982/03/25/penalty-box-looms-for-ex-nhler/3b1b3649-e2eb-46d9-93de-90e0fb68109a/ |access-date=February 9, 2016}}{{Cite web |title=Former New York Rangers' hockey player Peter Stemkowski was... - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/03/24/Former-New-York-Rangers-hockey-player-Peter-Stemkowski-was/8543385794000/ |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=UPI |language=en}} During the opening round of the 1982 playoffs, ESPN broadcast Game 4 of the series between the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins and Game 2 of the series between Minnesota North Stars-Chicago Black Hawks,{{cite web| url= https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/04/06/Sports-Briefs/3518386917200/| title= Sports Briefs| work=UPI | date= March 25, 1982| access-date= February 9, 2016}} with Sam Rosen and Pete Stemkowski on the call. In the season prior, the pair called Games 3 and 4 of the playoff series between the St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins.

During this time, USA also broadcast National Hockey League games. To prevent overexposure, the NHL decided to grant only one network exclusive rights. In April 1982, USA outbid ESPN for the NHL's American national television cable package ($8 million for two years).{{cite news|last1=Craig|first1=Jack|title=Now they're playing Cable Wars|work=The Boston Globe|date=May 8, 1982}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1983/01/24/625121/getting-down-to-business|title=Getting Down To Business|date=January 24, 1983|first=William|last=Taaffe|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143048/http://www.si.com/vault/1983/01/24/625121/getting-down-to-business|archive-date=April 27, 2015}} In 1984, the NHL asked ESPN for a bid, but then gave USA the right to match it, which it did.

After the 1984–85 season, the NHL Board of Governors chose to have USA Network and ESPN submit sealed bids. ESPN won by bidding nearly $25 million for three years, about twice as much as the USA had been paying. The contract called for ESPN to air up to 33 regular season games each season as well as the NHL All-Star Game and the Stanley Cup playoffs.{{cite news|last1=Strachan|first1=Al|title=ESPN acquires NHL games Backroom bickering in TV deal|work=The Globe and Mail|date=July 30, 1985}}{{cite news|last1=Mulligan|first1=Kevin|title=NHL Finds a Home at ESPN|work=Philadelphia Daily News|date=July 26, 1985}} The network chose Dan Kelly and Sam Rosen to be the network's first play-by-play announcers, Mickey Redmond and Brad Park were selected to be the analysts, and Tom Mees and Jim Kelly were chosen to serve as studio hosts. ESPN designated Sundays as ESPN Hockey Night in America, but also aired select midweek telecasts. ESPN aired its first game, an opening-night matchup between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers, on October 10, 1985.{{cite web |last=Sarni |first=Jim |date=October 10, 1985 |title=ESPN Breaks the Ice for Sports Fans With Caps-Rangers Game Thursday |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1985-10-05-8502130393-story.html |accessdate=February 9, 2016 |work=Sun-Sentinel}}{{Cite web |last=Archives |first=L. A. Times |date=September 20, 1985 |title=Stockton, Walker Get a Break as Big Call Goes Their Way |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-20-sp-6574-story.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Los Angeles Times |page=3 |language=en-US}}

At the end of the {{NHL Year|1987}} season, ESPN lost the NHL television rights to SportsChannel America, who paid $51 million ($17 million per year) over three years, more than double what ESPN had paid ($24 million) for the previous three years.{{cite news|date=June 22, 1988|title=Sportschannel America Interested in Buying HTS|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/06/22/sportschannel-america-interested-in-buying-hts/fbab2dfb-af45-49f4-bd98-0b20a61c3b00/|access-date=February 9, 2016|first=Norman |last=Chad |newspaper=Washington Post}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1991/03/18/shooting-star-brett-hull-has-become-a-goal-scorer-of-near-gretzkian-dimensions|date=March 18, 1991|first=Richard|last=Demak|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=Shooting Star}}{{cite news|date=November 26, 1988|title=NHL and Sportschannel: More Is Less|last=Chad|first=Norman|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/11/26/nhl-and-sportschannel-more-is-less/f82b8589-b0e8-47fb-919f-832aca20dc7b/|access-date=February 9, 2016|newspaper=Washington Post}}{{cite book|last=Bass|first=Alan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JgLqzbebH4gC&q=nhl+sportschannel+america&pg=PA198|title=The Great Expansion: The Ultimate Risk That Changed the Nhl Forever|date=25 January 2011|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=9781450286077|page=198}} SportsChannel America managed to get a fourth NHL season for just $5 million.{{cite book |last=Gatehouse|first=Jonathon|date= October 2012|title=The Instigator: How Gary Bettman Remade the NHL and Changed the Game Forever|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ryb0O7riZnQC&q=nhl+sportschannel+america&pg=PA158|publisher= Triumph Books|page=158|isbn= 9781623686567}}{{cite web|last=Nidetz|first=Steve|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-10-04-9103300943-story.html|title= NHL Feels Pinch in TV Deal|newspaper=Chicago Tribune| date= October 4, 1991| access-date= February 9, 2016}}{{cite book |last=Moshavi|first=Sharon D.|date=January 13, 1992|title=BC-1992-01-13.pdf|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1992/BC-1992-01-13.pdf|page=78}}{{cite web| url= https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-09-26-1991269142-story.html| title= Lack of TV contract doesn't shake up NHL| work=Newsday and Baltimore Sun | date= September 22, 1991| access-date= February 9, 2016}}{{cite news |last=Shea |first=Jim |date=October 4, 1991 |title=NHL, Sportschannel Sign One-Year Deal |work=Chicago Tribune |location= |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1991-10-04-0000211242-story,amp.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617234340/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1991-10-04-0000211242-story,amp.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2021}} SportsChannel America was only available in a few major markets (notably absent though were Detroit, Pittsburgh and St. Louis{{cite news |last=Strachan|first=Al|date=March 15, 2005|title=NHL needs a TV partner|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Columnists/Strachan/2005/03/15/961494.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103093933/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Columnists/Strachan/2005/03/15/961494.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 3, 2019|newspaper=Toronto Sun}}){{Cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/08/22/woe-canada-a-nation-wept-as-its-hero-nhl-star-wayne-gretzky-was-traded-from-edmonton-to-los-angeles|date=August 22, 1988|first=E.M.|last=Swift|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=Woe, Canada}}{{Cite news|title=NHL broadcast boss pleased with cable move|date=May 2, 1989|first=Rudy|last=Martzke|newspaper=USA Today|page=3C}}{{cite book |last=Staudohar|first=Paul D.|date= 31 May 2018|title=Playing for Dollars: Labor Relations and the Sports Business|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XLdcDwAAQBAJ&q=1990+nhl+all+star+game+on+nbc&pg=PA138|publisher= Cornell University Press|page=138|isbn= 9781501717857}} and reached only a 1/3 of the households that ESPN did at the time.{{cite book |title=Playing for dollars: labor relations and the sports business |last=Staudohar |first= Paul D. |year=1996 |publisher=Cornell University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/playingfordollar00stau/page/n150 137] |isbn=9780801483424 |url=https://archive.org/details/playingfordollar00stau |url-access=registration }}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1988/06/27/117913/a-better-open-too-much-brent-abc-improved-at-brookline-but-brent-musburgers-ego-showed-in-the-nba-finals|title=A Better Open; Too Much Brent|date=June 27, 1988|magazine=Sports Illustrated|first=William|last=Taaffe}}{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Bob|url= https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-10-03-1991276186-story.html| title= Underexposed NHL needs to write Dear John letter to Ziegler|newspaper=Baltimore Sun| date= October 3, 1991| access-date= February 9, 2016}} In the first year of the deal ({{NHL Year|1988}}), SportsChannel America was available in only 7 million homes, compared to ESPN's reach of 50 million.{{Cite magazine|last=Greenberg|first=Jay|date=October 7, 1991|title=Greed, Indeed|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1991/10/07/greed-indeed-in-its-expansion-strategy-as-in-too-many-other-matters-the-nhl-has-shown-a-passion-for-fools-gold-title-3dgreed|magazine=Sports Illustrated}} By the 1991–92 season, ESPN was available in 60.5 million homes, whereas SportsChannel America was available in only 25 million.{{cite web|last=Tilsner|first=Julie|url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1992-10-11/the-puck-stops-here-for-espn| title= The Puck Stops Here For ESPN|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=October 11, 1992| access-date= February 9, 2016}}{{cite book|last=Gatehouse|first=Jonathon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ryb0O7riZnQC&q=John+Ziegler+SportsChannel+America+nhl&pg=PA158|title=The Instigator: How Gary Bettman Remade the NHL and Changed the Game Forever|date=October 2012|publisher=Triumph Books|isbn=9781623686567|page=158}}{{cite web|date=June 1, 1992|last=Nidetz|first=Steve|title=NHL'S TV Policy Riles Announcers|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-06-01-9202190025-story.html|access-date=February 9, 2016|newspaper=Chicago Tribune)}}

When the SportsChannel deal ended in 1992, the league returned to ESPN for another contract that would pay US$80 million over five years.{{Cite magazine|last=Swift|first=E.M.|date=October 19, 1992|title=Don't Change That Channel|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1992/10/19/dont-change-that-channel-contrary-to-conventional-wisdom-the-nhl-can-make-it-on-tv-with-a-few-alterations-title-3ddon|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{cite web| url= https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1992-09-04-0000112893-story.html| title= Sportschannel Sues Over NHL Deal|first=Jim|last=Shea|newspaper=Hartford Courant| date= September 4, 1992| access-date= February 9, 2016}} Until the 2001–02 NHL season, weekly regular season games were broadcast on Sundays (between NFL and baseball seasons), Wednesdays,{{cite news |last=Sandomir|first=Richard|date=February 22, 2005|title=Picture Is Fuzzy for N.H.L. on Networks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/22/sports/hockey/picture-is-fuzzy-for-nhl-on-networks.html|work=The New York Times|location=|authorlink=Richard Sandomir}} and Fridays, and were titled Sunday/Wednesday/Friday Night Hockey. Before 1999, these telecasts were non-exclusive, meaning they were blacked out in the regions of the competing teams, and an alternate game was shown in these affected areas.

During the Stanley Cup playoffs, ESPN and ESPN2 provided almost nightly coverage, often carrying games on both channels concurrently.{{cite web| url= https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1994-06-27-9406300901-story.html| title= Never Better: ESPN Excels With Stanley Cup Finals|first=Jim|last=Shea|newspaper=Hartford Courant| date= June 27, 1994| access-date= February 9, 2016}} Games in the first two rounds were non-exclusive, while telecasts in the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals{{cite news|date=September 13, 1994|title=Fox, ESPN ink deals with NHL|work=UPI|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/09/13/Fox-ESPN-ink-deals-with-NHL/5942779428800/}}{{cite news| url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/capitals/longterm/1998/stanleycup/articles/waves13.htm| title= In Stanley Cup Faceoff, Fox, ESPN Play to a Draw|first=Leonard|last=Sharpio|newspaper=Washington Post| date= June 11, 1998| access-date= February 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url= https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-06-11-1998162070-story.html| title= ESPN's Clement feels Caps' pain, revels in success|first=Milton|last=Kent|newspaper=Baltimore Sun| date= June 11, 1998| access-date= February 9, 2016}} were exclusive (except in 1993{{cite web| url= https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-05-28-1993148025-story.html| title= ESPN gives hockey its moment on center ice|first=Ray|last=Frager|newspaper=Baltimore Sun| date= May 28, 1993| access-date= February 9, 2016}} and 1994). Beginning in the 1993–94 season, up to five games per week were also shown on ESPN2, branded as NHL Fire on Ice.{{cite web| url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-10-01-9310010193-story.html| title= ESPN2 Takes Aim at Young, Restless|first=Steve|last=Nidetz|newspaper=Chicago Tribune| date= October 1, 1993 | access-date= February 9, 2016}}

Sister broadcast network ABC also aired NHL games during the first two seasons of the contract, in the league's first network television broadcasts since NBC's previous contract in the 1970s.{{cite web| url= https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1993-05-07-0000102356-story.html| title= Select Few Watching NHL on ABC|first=Jim|last=Shea|newspaper=Hartford Courant| date= May 7, 1993| access-date= February 9, 2016}} In the first season, this included selected playoff games,{{cite news|date=August 27, 1992|title=NHL governors "ecstatic' over reported TV package|page=E2|newspaper=Kitchener-Waterloo Record}}{{cite magazine|first=E.M.|last=Swift|date=June 20, 1994|title=Hot Not|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1994/06/20/hot-not|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308163109/https://vault.si.com/vault/1994/06/20/hot-not|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2020|magazine=Sports Illustrated}} and later expanded to include a package of regular season games in the second season.{{cite news|author=Rudy Martzke|date=February 5, 1993|title=NHL's new boss ready to clear up confusion|page=3C|newspaper=USA Today}} These telecasts were produced by ESPN and were officially considered to be time-buys on ABC by ESPN Inc. This arrangement ended in the 1994–95 season, when the NHL began a new contract with Fox as its broadcast television partner.{{cite web| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/10/sports/hockey-fox-outbids-cbs-for-nhl-games.html| title= Fox Outbids CBS for N.H.L. Games| first=Richard |last=Sandomir |work=The New York Times | date= September 10, 1994| access-date= March 20, 2008}}

{{see also|NHL on ABC#NHL returns to ABC (1999–2004)}}

In 1998, ESPN renewed its contract through 2004 for $600 million, beginning in the 1999–2000 season. Under the new contract, ESPN was permitted two exclusive telecasts per team per season, while ABC would also return as broadcast television rightsholder to replace Fox.{{cite web| url= https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1999-04-23-9904230309-story.html| title= Fox Probably Grateful to Ice the Puck| first=Jeff |last=Goldberg |work=Hartford Courant | date= April 23, 1999| access-date= February 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url= https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1999-06-08-9906080089-story.html| title= Final meltdown of relationship between Fox, NHL begins today| work=Milton Kent (Baltimore Sun) | date= June 8, 1999| access-date= February 9, 2016}}{{cite news|date=Jun 9, 2000|title=Stars' 1-0 triumph brings in viewers|work=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/2000/0609/575965.html}}{{cite web| url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-08-26-9808260035-story.html| title= Price for NHL Rights Is Right, Disney Says| first=Michael |last=Hirsley |work=Chicago Tribune | date= August 26, 1998| access-date= February 9, 2016}}

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

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

Following the 2003–04 season, ESPN was only willing to renew its contract for two additional years at $60 million per year.{{cite news|title=NHL announces TV deal with NBC|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2004-05-19-martzke-nbc_x.htm|author=Rudy Martzke|newspaper=USA Today|date=May 19, 2004|access-date=July 2, 2012}} ABC refused to televise the Stanley Cup Finals in prime time, suggesting that the Finals games it would telecast be played on weekend afternoons (including a potential Game 7). Disney executives later conceded that they overpaid for the 1999–2004 deal, so the company's offer to renew the television rights was lower in 2004.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2001/apr01/apr09/4_thurs/news1thursday.html|title=Sports TV get pricier and pricier. Here's why|author=Kevin Downey|magazine=Media Life Magazine|date=April 12, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013043902/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2001/apr01/apr09/4_thurs/news1thursday.html|archive-date=13 October 2008|df=dmy-all}}

Before the 2004–05 lockout, the NHL had reached two separate deals with NBC (who would replace ABC as the NHL's national U.S. broadcast television partner) and ESPN.{{cite news|last=Umstead|first=R. Thomas|date=August 31, 1998|title=ESPN Lands $600M NHL Deal|work=Multichannel News|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/espn-lands-600m-nhl-deal-155184}}{{cite news|last=Pergament|first=Alan|date=September 30, 1999|title=With Fox Gone, NHL Turns All-Disney|work=The Buffalo News|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/with-fox-gone-nhl-turns-all-disney/article_90f64e93-1f95-5f65-8eb0-4c102e146c0a.html}}{{cite news|date=June 22, 1999|title=NHL Ratings Jump A Little|work=CBS News|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nhl-ratings-jump-a-little/}} ESPN offered the NHL $60 million to renew its contract, carrying about 40 games (only fifteen of which would be during the regular season), mostly on ESPN2.{{cite web |url=http://puckthemedia.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/the-suitor-tutor-part-1-on-versus-and-nbc-how-have-they-done-and-where-the-merger-will-take-them/#more-5549 |title=The Suitor Tutor, Part 1: On VERSUS and NBC, How Have They Done, and Where the Merger Will Take Them |author=Lepore, Steve |date=4 August 2010 |work=Puck The Media |publisher=WordPress.com |access-date=10 May 2011}}{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=2005-05-03 |title=ESPN Appears to Control the Puck Over Carrying N.H.L. Games Next Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/03/sports/hockey/espn-appears-to-control-the-puck-over-carrying-nhl-games-next.html |access-date=2024-03-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web |last=Sarni |first=Jim |date=May 20, 2004 |title=NBC, ESPN Telecast Deals a Major Lift for NHL |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2004-05-20-0405200303-story.html |access-date=February 9, 2016 |work=Sun Sentinel}}{{Cite web |date=2004-05-19 |title=NBC returns to pros; ESPN re-ups coverage |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/sportsbusiness/news/story?id=1804362 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=May 20, 2004 |title=NBC Takes Over NHL Broadcasts |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2004/05/20/nbc-takes-over-nhl-broadcasts/069c2f1f-a8be-4bb5-bad9-a83cb201243c/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} However, ESPN opted out of the contract following the lockout, and the NHL reopened negotiations; Comcast offered over $200 million for a three-season deal to air games on OLN (a channel that was later rebranded as Versus to reflect its expansion from an outdoor recreation format to mainstream sports),{{cite web |last=Fernadez |first=Bob |title=Goodbye Versus, hello NBC Sports Network |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/126495098.html |access-date=August 1, 2011 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |publisher=Philly.com}} which ESPN declined to match.{{cite web |date=August 19, 2005 |title=NHL Is Pleased With TV Deal |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-19-sp-nhltv19-story.html |access-date=February 9, 2016 |work=Larry Stewart (Los Angeles Times)}}{{cite news |last=Rovell |first=Darren |date=August 17, 2005 |title=ESPN decides not to match Comcast's offer |work=ESPN |location= |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2137098}} After Comcast acquired a majority stake in NBC Universal in 2011, it renewed both the broadcast television and cable rights to the league via NBC Sports through the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |last=Condor |first=Bob |date=April 19, 2011 |title=NHL, NBC sign record-setting 10-year TV deal |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=560238 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |publisher=NHL}}

{{see also|2016 World Cup of Hockey#Broadcasting}}

Long after losing their broadcasting rights to the NHL, ESPN served as the U.S. broadcaster of the NHL-backed 2016 World Cup of Hockey, as NBC declined due to programming conflicts.{{cite web|title=Why NHL chose ESPN, Sportsnet for World Cup of Hockey|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/why-nhl-chose-espn--sportsnet-for-world-cup-of-hockey-171635192.html|access-date=July 29, 2015|website=Yahoo! Sports|date=March 4, 2015 |publisher=Yahoo! Canada Inc.}}{{cite web|title=Sportsnet acquires rights to World Cup of Hockey|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sportsnet-acquires-rights-world-cup-hockey/|access-date=29 July 2015|website=Sportsnet.ca|publisher=Rogers Digital Media}} For the tournament, ESPN named Steve Levy and Barry Melrose as the lead broadcast team, while adding Kevin Weekes from NHL Network, Leah Hextall from Sportsnet, NHL Hall of Famers Chris Chelios and Brett Hull to their roster.{{Cite web|date=2016-06-27|title=Barry Melrose, Steve Levy Top Commentator Team for ESPN's World Cup of Hockey 2016 Telecasts; Brett Hull and Chris Chelios Join as Studio Analysts|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2016/06/barry-melrose-steve-levy-top-commentator-team-espns-world-cup-hockey-2016-telecasts-brett-hull-chris-chelios-join-studio-analysts/|access-date=2021-09-18|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|language=en-US}} ESPN also named NHL Hall of Famers Chris Chelios and Brett Hull as their studio analyst.

Additionally, ESPN brought back current St. Louis Blues color commentator Darren Pang, who was the network's secondary color commentator from 1999 to 2004, for their coverage, as an ice-level reporter for select games.{{Cite web|date=2016-09-12|title=ESPN's World Cup of Hockey 2016 Tournament Commentator Schedule|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2016/09/espns-world-cup-hockey-2016-tournament-commentator-schedule/|access-date=2021-09-18|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|language=en-US}} John Saunders, who had hosted ESPN and ABC's NHL coverage from 1987 to 1988 and again from 1992 to 2004, was tapped to lead the studio coverage, however, due to his unexpected death a month after ESPN announced their complete roster,{{Cite web|title=ESPN host John Saunders dies at 61|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/john-saunders-dies-at-61/c-281311852|access-date=2021-09-18|website=NHL.com|language=en-US}} Cohn, who was originally going to do features for ESPN, was tapped to replace Saunders.{{Cite web|title=ESPN Reveals World Cup Broadcasting Schedule|url=http://www.hockeyworldblog.com/2016/09/15/espn-reveals-world-cup-broadcasting-schedule/|access-date=2021-09-18|website=Hockey World Blog|date=September 15, 2016 |language=en-US}}

After its 2018 launch, ESPN's subscription streaming service ESPN+ added an NHL studio program, a free daily regular season game courtesy of NHL.tv (which is operated by Disney subsidiary BAMTech), and a Stanley Cup Playoffs documentary series (replacing one produced as part of Showtime's All Access franchise).{{Cite news|date=2018-04-13|title=Quest for the Stanley Cup moves from Showtime to ESPN+|language=en-US|work=Awful Announcing|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/quest-for-the-stanley-cup-moves-from-showtime-to-espn-which-will-also-carry-daily-hockey-show.html|access-date=2018-05-08}} As part of the NHL.tv deal, ESPN+ started a nightly hockey show, In the Crease, hosted by Linda Cohn and Barry Melrose.{{Cite web|date=2018-09-24|title=2018-19 NHL Season Puck Drops on ESPN+ October 4|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2018/09/2018-19-nhl-season-puck-drops-on-espn-october-4/|access-date=2021-06-29|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|language=en-US}}

In the years before the end of NBC's latest contract with the NHL, the league explored options for splitting its national broadcast rights, similar to the television deals of the NFL, NBA and MLB. This included selling packages to streaming services, aiming to maximize the value of its broadcast rights.{{cite web|last1=Ourand|first1=John|date=May 27, 2019|title=NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman relishes the opportunities as next media deal approaches|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2019/05/27/Media/Sports-media.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913054724/https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2019/05/27/Media/Sports-media.aspx|archive-date=September 13, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=sportsbusinessdaily.com}} On March 10, 2021, Disney, ESPN, and the NHL announced that a seven-year agreement was reached for ESPN to hold the first half of its new media rights beginning in the 2021–22 season;{{Cite web |last=Coryell |first=Grace |date=2021-03-10 |title=The Walt Disney Company, ESPN and National Hockey League Reach Groundbreaking Long-Term Agreement |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2021/03/the-walt-disney-company-espn-and-national-hockey-league-reach-groundbreaking-long-term-agreement/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US}}{{cite news|date=March 10, 2021|title=NHL back on ESPN with 7-year multiplatform deal|work=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31039351/nhl-back-espn-7-year-multiplatform-deal|access-date=March 11, 2021}}{{Cite news|last=Draper|first=Kevin|date=March 11, 2021|title=N.H.L. Returns to ESPN in a 7-Year Deal With an Emphasis on Streaming|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/sports/hockey/hockey-nhl-espn-disney.html|access-date=September 18, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|title=NHL deal with ESPN, Disney takes hockey into the future|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-deal-with-espn-disney-takes-hockey-into-the-future/c-322354090|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=NHL.com}}{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Sean Shapiro and The Athletic |title=ESPN, NHL agree to 7-year broadcast deal |url=https://theathletic.com/4222479/2021/03/09/espn-nhl-agree-to-7-year-broadcast-deal/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Spiegel |first=Jackie |date=2021-03-10 |title=NHL games returning to ESPN for 2021-22 season after 16 years apart|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/espn-nhl-seven-year-deal/10zt071gixjsp1dub5gdtzp3iz |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Sporting News}}{{Cite web |last1=O'Leary |first1=Sean |last2=Gold-Smith |first2=Josh |date=2021-03-10 |title=NHL, ESPN reach 7-year broadcast deal reportedly worth over $2.8B |url=https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2130188 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=theScore.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Battaglio |first=Stephen |date=2021-03-10 |title=NHL TV rights return to ESPN with a seven-year-deal that includes streaming |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-03-10/nhl-returns-to-espn-with-a-seven-year-deal-with-four-stanley-cup-finals |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

• ESPN holds rights to at least 25 exclusive national games per season, which can air on either ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC, including exclusive rights to opening night games. All ABC games and select ESPN games stream on ESPN+ and, since 2025, Disney+.{{Cite web|date=September 16, 2021|title=ESPN, Turner release NHL schedules for 2021-22 season, featuring 78 regular season games on cable and broadcast|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-turner-release-nhl-schedules-for-2021-22-season-featuring-78-regular-season-games-on-cable-and-broadcast.html|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US}}
• ABC aired the Thanksgiving Showdown in 2021.
• Up to 75 exclusive national games per season are streamed exclusively on ESPN+, and are not carried on linear television.{{Cite web|date=March 11, 2021|title=Winners and losers of the NHL's TV deal with ESPN|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/winners-and-losers-of-the-nhls-tv-deal-with-espn.html|access-date=March 16, 2021|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US|quote=[Y]ou'll not only need a cable or satellite subscription to access your team's RSN and ESPN, but you'll also need a subscription to ESPN+ or Hulu. 75 games will be streaming exclusively in this TV deal, and while you previously got everything you needed with the cable sub, you now will need to jump into the streaming waters to see every game.}} These games are also available to Hulu subscribers.{{Cite web |last=Chi |first=Danny |date=2022-09-07 |title=The Walt Disney Company Announces 103 Exclusive National Hockey League Games Across ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu and ABC Beginning October 11 |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/09/the-walt-disney-company-announces-103-exclusive-national-hockey-league-games-across-espn-espn-hulu-and-abc-beginning-october-11/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US}}{{cite press release|title=The Walt Disney Company Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games Across ESPN, ESPN+, ABC, and Hulu Beginning October 10|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/08/the-walt-disney-company-announces-100-exclusive-national-hockey-league-games-across-espn-espn-abc-and-hulu-beginning-october-10/|website=ESPN Press Room|date=August 30, 2023|access-date=August 30, 2023}} These games also became available for Disney+ subscribers on December 5, 2024.
• ESPN+ streams all out-of-market games, as well as on-demand versions of all nationally televised games.{{Cite web |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=2022-10-07 |title=ESPN is rebranding the NHL out of market package as 'NHL Power Play on ESPN+' |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-is-rebranding-the-nhl-out-of-market-package-as-nhl-power-play-on-espn.html |access-date=2022-10-07 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}} These games also became available for Disney+ subscribers on December 4, 2024.
• ESPN holds rights to All-Star Weekend, with the Skills Competition airing on ESPN, and the All-Star Game airing on ABC.
• ESPN holds rights to the NHL Stadium Series, since 2023 depending on scheduling logistics with TNT.
• ESPN holds rights to the NHL Entry Draft.
• ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC share in coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs, holding rights to "half" of the games in the first two rounds, and one conference final per season. ESPN/ABC has the first choice of which conference final series to air. The remaining half airs on TNT and TBS.{{cite news|last=Lucia|first=Joe|date=April 27, 2021|title=Turner's NHL deal will include "up to 72" exclusive national games each season, half the Stanley Cup Playoffs, HBO Max streaming|work=Awful Announcing|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/turners-nhl-deal-will-include-up-to-72-exclusive-national-games-each-season-half-the-stanley-cup-playoffs-hbo-max-streaming.html}}{{cite news|last1=Knoll|first1=Andrew|date=April 27, 2021|title=N.H.L. and Turner Sports Reach 7-Year Media Rights Deal|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/27/sports/hockey/nhl-turner-media-rights-deal.html|url-access=limited|access-date=May 13, 2021}}
• Exclusive rights to the Stanley Cup Finals alternate between ABC and TNT; ESPN has the ability to air simulcast coverage with alternate feeds on its other channels and platforms.
• ESPN2 airs a weekly studio program dedicated to the NHL, The Point (which is hosted by John Buccigross),{{Cite web|date=September 30, 2021|title=ESPN unveils new weekly NHL studio show The Point, hosted by John Buccigross|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-unveils-plans-for-new-weekly-nhl-studio-show-the-point-hosted-by-john-buccigross.html|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US}} and ESPN holds various highlights and international rights.

On May 10, 2021, TSN's Ray Ferraro (who previously worked for ESPN from 2002 to 2004), and NBC's Brian Boucher signed with ESPN/ABC to become their top hockey analysts. On May 17, ESPN hired former Calgary Flames studio host Leah Hextall to be a regular play-by-play announcer on NHL broadcasts. She is the first woman in league history to hold that role. Hextall previously worked the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and has worked the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament for ESPN.{{cite news | url=https://theathletic.com/4212279/2021/05/17/leah-hextall-to-make-history-as-espns-new-nhl-play-by-play-voice-source/ | title=Leah Hextall to make history as ESPN's new NHL play-by-play voice: Source }}

On June 9, 2021, ESPN announced that current New Jersey Devils defenseman P. K. Subban would be a studio analyst for the remainder of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, making his debut on SportsCenter that day.{{Cite web|title=Subban of Devils debuts for ESPN as NHL analyst|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-devils-pk-subban-to-debut-for-espn-as-nhl-analyst/c-325274252|access-date=June 11, 2021|website=NHL.com|language=en-US}} The same day, Craig Morgan, Arizona-based reporter on the Arizona Coyotes and NHL Network correspondent, reported that ESPN had added NBC's Ryan Callahan and A. J. Mleczko to their analyst roster, and that NHL Network's Kevin Weekes, who also worked for ESPN during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, was in talks to return to ESPN in an analyst/reporter role.{{cite news|last=Bucholtz|first=Andrew|date=June 9, 2021|title=ESPN is set to add Kevin Weekes, AJ Mleczko Griswold and Ryan Callahan to NHL coverage, with Turner adding Anson Carter|work=Awful Announcing|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/espn-kevin-weekes-aj-mleczko-griswold-ryan-callahan-turner-anson-carter.html}}

On June 24, ESPN/ABC officially announced that six-time Stanley Cup Champion Mark Messier had signed a multi-year deal to join ESPN in a studio analyst role.{{Cite web|last=Gardner|first=Steve|title=ESPN adds Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier as NHL analyst|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2021/06/24/mark-messier-joins-espn-nhl-analyst/5336871001/|access-date=June 24, 2021|website=USA Today}}{{Cite web|date=June 24, 2021|title=Mark Messier joins ESPN as studio analyst for NHL coverage|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31702318/mark-messier-joins-espn-studio-analyst-nhl-coverage|access-date=June 24, 2021|website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web|last=Ciccotelli|first=Jenna|title=Mark Messier Joining ESPN as NHL Studio Analyst Starting with 2021-22 Season|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2945146-mark-messier-joining-espn-as-nhl-studio-analyst-starting-with-2021-22-season|access-date=June 24, 2021|website=Bleacher Report}} Messier's signing was the first announced signing made by ESPN, and potentially was made as a counter to TNT signing Messier's former teammate Wayne Gretzky, who was also recruited by ESPN. On June 28, Marchand reported that three-time Stanley Cup Champion Chris Chelios would also join ESPN/ABC as a studio analyst.{{Cite web|last=Tornoe|first=Rob|title=ESPN's new NHL roster has several Flyers connections, including a once-hated foe|url=https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/espn-nhl-flyers-chris-chelios-mark-messier-20210630.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|website=www.inquirer.com|date=June 30, 2021}} The same day, The Athletic reported that current Hockey Night in Canada color commentator/reporter Cassie Campbell-Pascall would also join the network.{{Cite news|last=Shapiro|first=Sean|title=ESPN to hire Chris Chelios, Cassie Campbell-Pascall for NHL broadcasts: Sources|url=https://theathletic.com/news/espn-to-hire-chris-chelios-cassie-campbell-pascall-for-nhl-broadcasts-sources/S3OKaz3BaxVE|access-date=June 29, 2021|website=The Athletic}}

ESPN formally confirmed its commentator teams on June 29, 2021. ESPN's college football #2 play-by-play man Sean McDonough would be the network's lead play-by-play announcer; Monday Night Football's Steve Levy would lead studio coverage and contribute to occasional play-by-play commentary. Hextall and Wischusen were officially named as play-by-play commentators, as well as SportsCenter's John Buccigross, who would also contribute as an alternate studio host, and serve as the host for The Point. ESPN legend Barry Melrose, Messier, and Chelios were named strictly as studio analysts while Ferraro, Boucher, Weekes, Campbell-Pascall, Callahan, Mleczko, ESPN New York's Rick DiPietro, and 2018 gold medalist Hilary Knight would contribute as booth, ice-level, and studio analysts. 2016 Isobel Cup champion Blake Bolden was added to join insiders Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski as insiders and rinkside reporters. Linda Cohn continued her duties hosting In the Crease, while also gaining roles as a rinkside reporter, backup studio, and game break host. On August 4, 2021, ESPN announced that they added the most recent Blue Jackets head coach and Stanley Cup-winning head coach John Tortorella as an extra studio analyst.{{Citetweet|number=1422941138248425480|user=espnpr|title=John Tortorella joins ESPN's roster of #NHL analysts presenting coverage this season across ESPN, @ABCNetwork, @ESPNPlus & @hulu|author=ESPN PR}}{{Cite web|title=Tortorella joins ESPN as NHL studio analyst|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/john-tortorella-joins-espn-as-nhl-studio-analyst/c-325906846|access-date=August 11, 2021|website=NHL.com|language=en-US}}

On September 16, after ESPN released their slate of games for the 2021–22 season, SportsCenter anchor and ESPN Social host Arda Ocal announced that he too would host select game broadcasts.{{cite tweet |author=ᴀʀᴅᴀ 🎃ᴄᴀʟ 🏒 |user=Arda |number=1438581080689422338 |date=September 16, 2021 |title=Now that the schedule is out, I can finally announce that I'm beyond thrilled to join the NHL on @ESPN Family this season! I'll be in the mix hosting game broadcasts & much more. LETS. GO! This is a dream come true & I'm extremely grateful to be joining such an amazing cast! https://t.co/A5vwLQUM4b |language=en |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917181431/https://twitter.com/Arda/status/1438581080689422338 |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |url-status=live}} On October 2, former referee Dave Jackson joined the network as a rules analyst, an NHL first.{{cite tweet |author=ESPN PR |user=ESPNPR |number=1444029363830337539 |date=October 1, 2021 |title=Dave Jackson joins ESPN's roster of #NHL analysts presenting coverage this season across ESPN, @ABCNetwork, @ESPNPlus & @hulu https://t.co/axzNSCTvn0 |language=en |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019071633/https://twitter.com/espnpr/status/1444029363830337539 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |url-status=live}} Early into the 2021–22 season, ESPN added former NBC analyst Dominic Moore, who had hosted the Expansion Draft with Weekes and ESPN College Football personality Chris Fowler. Laura Rutledge, host of NFL Live and SEC Nation, joined the NHL on ESPN team for their coverage of the 2022 NHL All-Star Game, in a celebrity interviewer role. After preparing for and playing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Knight made her ESPN debut on the March 10, 2022, episode of "The Point", coincidentally on the first anniversary of ESPN regaining the rights to broadcast the NHL. Bolden, who has been working as a pro scout for the Los Angeles Kings since 2020, made her official ESPN on-air debut a week later. After the regular season kicked into high gear, Knight and Bolden were the only two who still had to make their on-air debuts with ESPN.

Occasionally, other well-known ESPN personalities like Jeremy Schaap, Kevin Connors, Michael Eaves, and Max McGee will be added in fill-in roles on The Point and In the Crease. Mike Monaco, Roxy Bernstein, and Caley Chelios, daughter of Chris, have also filled in on game coverage. Subban and TSN's Gord Miller, Ferraro's broadcast partner for Maple Leafs games on TSN, joined ESPN for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tortorella left ESPN after their first season to become the new head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title=Philadelphia Flyers hire John Tortorella as head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34103057/philadelphia-flyers-agree-4-year-deal-john-tortorella-team-head-coach-source-says |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=ESPN |language=en}} After holding two stints with ESPN during the playoffs, the network announced that Subban would be joining their coverage full-time beginning with the 2022–23 season, holding both studio analyst and color commentator roles. This came after his most recent retirement announcement.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=NHL star defenseman, free agent P.K. Subban, 33, announced retirement |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34629012/nhl-star-defenseman-free-agent-pk-subban-33-announces-retirement |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-10 |title=Recently retired P.K. Subban joining ESPN as hockey analyst |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34994112/recently-retired-pk-subban-joining-espn-hockey-analyst |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Chi |first=Danny |date=2022-11-10 |title=ESPN Signs P.K. Subban to Multi-Year Contract for NHL Coverage |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/11/espn-signs-p-k-subban-to-multi-year-contract-for-nhl-coverage/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US}}

ESPN also confirmed that Spanish language coverage of the NHL would air on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Latin America. Kenneth Garay and Eitán Benezra would be the main play-by-play commentators, while Carlos Rossell and Antonio Valle contribute analysis and color commentary.{{Cite web|date=June 29, 2021|title=Dynamic, Diverse and Accomplished Team to Present ESPN's NHL Coverage to Fans|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/?p=216400|access-date=June 29, 2021|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|language=en-US}} Rigoberto Plascencia was later added as another play-by-play announcer.

For the 2021–22 season, ESPN aired 18 games (billed as ESPN Hockey Night),{{Cite web |date=2021-10-04 |title=Breaking it Down: How to Watch the NHL on ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu, and ABC |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2021/10/breaking-it-down-how-to-watch-the-nhl-on-espn-espn-hulu-and-abc/ |access-date=2022-01-20 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US}} while 75 exclusive national games per season would be streamed exclusively on ESPN+. For the 2021–22 season, most of these games (billed as ESPN+ Hockey Night) aired on Tuesday and Thursday nights, with selected games on Friday nights. These games were also available to Hulu subscribers. ESPN's first broadcasts were an opening night doubleheader, with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the defending Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Seattle Kraken at the Vegas Golden Knights in the Kraken's first regular-season game in franchise history.{{Cite web|title=Disney, Turner Sports announce 2021-22 NHL schedule|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/disney-turner-sports-announce-2021-22-nhl-schedule/c-326166964|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=NHL.com|language=en-US}}

Typically, games aired on ESPN, excluding ESPN+ games, are simulcast in Canada on the Sportsnet channels, using the ESPN feed. However, on January 17, 2022, TSN, which is partly owned by ESPN, simulcast the ESPN+ feed of the Arizona Coyotes–Montreal Canadiens game because of a huge snowstorm in Canada, which prevented the Canadiens' broadcast team from traveling south to Glendale to broadcast the game.{{YouTube|title=ESPN and TSN combined intro to Montreal Canadiens @ Arizona Coyotes game |id=5WSreLXBoh0}}

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

On May 14, 2023, ESPN was widely criticized{{cite news |last=Dixon|first=Michael|date=May 14, 2023|title=ESPN comes under fire for awkward MLB, NHL coverage|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-mlb-nhl-playoff-coverage-criticism.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=May 17, 2023}} for its decision to implement a split screen between its coverage of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoff series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers and a Sunday Night Baseball telecast between the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox, which was being played at the same time and was ultimately won by St. Louis by the score of 9-1.{{cite news |last=Toole|first=Connor|date=May 15, 2023|title=ESPN Ripped For Prioritizing MLB Blowout Over Stanley Cup Playoff Elimination Game|url=https://brobible.com/sports/article/espn-critcized-prioritizing-mlb-blowout-over-stanley-cup-playoff-elimination-game/|work=BroBible|location= |access-date=May 17, 2023}}

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

On June 5, 2023, it was announced that Chelios' contract would not be renewed{{Cite web |last=Deitsch |first=Richard |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Chris Chelios won't return to ESPN as NHL analyst |url=https://theathletic.com/4583551/2023/06/05/chris-chelios-not-returning-espn-analyst/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=The Athletic |language=en}} as part of Disney's $5.5 billion cost cutting.{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |date=2023-02-08 |title=Searching for Streaming Profit, Disney Cuts $5.5 Billion in Costs |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/08/business/disney-earnings.html |access-date=2023-06-19 }} On September 12, 2023, TNT hired Boucher away from ESPN/ABC to serve as Keith Jones' replacement on the top team, thus reuniting with former NBC partners Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk.{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/09/12/nbc-sports-philadelphia-flyers-broadcast-crew-keith-jones-brian-boucher-tnt | title=People & Personalities: Flyers name broadcast replacement for Keith Jones | date=September 12, 2023 }} On October 10, 2023, ESPN announced that Barry Melrose would retire from the network to spend more time with his family after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.https://twitter.com/Buccigross/status/1711810339212271880 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Axson |first=Scooby |title=ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose has Parkinson's disease, retiring from network |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2023/10/10/espn-nhl-analyst-barry-melrose-parkinsons-disease/71132949007/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=ESPN's Barry Melrose retires after Parkinson's disease diagnosis |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38625766/espn-barry-melrose-retires-parkinson-disease-diagnosis |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=Barry Melrose retiring as ESPN's longtime hockey analyst after Parkinson's disease diagnosis |url=https://apnews.com/article/barry-melrose-parkinsons-disease-espn-nhl-5885d9eae2a7daba49055f7a60a2af04 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Hill |first=Glynn A. |date=2023-10-10 |title=Barry Melrose, ESPN hockey analyst, retires after Parkinson's diagnosis |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/10/barry-melrose-retires-parkinsons-espn/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |issn=0190-8286}} On December 19, 2023, Campbell-Pascall accepted a new position as a special advisor role with the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). Although she had left Sportsnet, she will remain with ESPN/ABC.{{cite news |author1=Sportsnet Staff |title=Cassie Campbell-Pascall leaving Sportsnet, joins PWHL as special advisor |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/pwhl/article/cassie-campbell-pascall-leaving-sportsnet-joins-pwhl-as-special-advisor/ |access-date=21 December 2023 |work=Rogers Sportsnet |publisher=Rogers Communications |date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219115025/https://www.sportsnet.ca/pwhl/article/cassie-campbell-pascall-leaving-sportsnet-joins-pwhl-as-special-advisor/ |archive-date=19 December 2023 |location=Toronto | url-status = live}}

The 2024–25 season will again have ESPN+/Hulu stream at least 50 exclusive games. ESPN2 will have a doubleheader on December 27. ABC's 19-game schedule for this season will begin earlier than normal on January 4 during the last week of the 2024 NFL regular season. The 2025 Stadium Series will be on ESPN instead of ABC. With the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament replacing the All-Star Game this season, the NHL decided to split it between TNT, ABC, and ESPN: TNT will have the round-robin games on February 12 and 17, ABC/ESPN+ will air the February 15 round-robin doubleheader, and ESPN will air the United States–Finland game on February 13 and the final on February 20.{{cite press release|title=The Walt Disney Company Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games Across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ABC and Hulu Beginning October 8|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/08/the-walt-disney-company-announces-100-exclusive-national-hockey-league-games-across-espn-espn2-espn-abc-and-hulu-beginning-october-8/|website=ESPN Press Room|date=August 29, 2024|access-date=August 29, 2024}} On October 8, color commentator Ray Ferraro called two games of an opening night tripleheader: the St. Louis Blues at the Seattle Kraken, and the Chicago Blackhawks at the Utah Hockey Club.{{cite press release|title=Transcript: 2024 NHL Opening Night Media Conference Call|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/10/transcript-2024-nhl-opening-night-media-conference-call/|website=ESPN Press Room|date=October 3, 2024|access-date=October 5, 2024}} Two late-season Washington Capitals games were later added to ESPN's schedule in anticipation of Alexander Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's career goals record. While the April 12 road game at the Columbus Blue Jackets would air exclusively on ABC, the March 27 road game at the Minnesota Wild would co-exist with the Capitals' own broadcast via the Monumental Sports Network in the Washington metropolitan area.{{cite press release|title=ESPN Updates Seven NHL Exclusive Games for 2024-25 Season|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/02/espn-updates-seven-nhl-exclusive-games-for-2024-25-season/|website=ESPN Press Room|date=February 25, 2025|access-date=February 26, 2025}} Additionally, the April 17 road game at the Pittsburgh Penguins would now air on both ESPN and Monumental in the Capitals' market after it was initially an ESPN-exclusive broadcast.{{cite press release|title=NHL Announces Broadcast and Start Time Changes for Capitals Games |url=https://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/nhl-announces-broadcast-and-start-time-changes-for-capitals-games|website=Washington Capitals|date=February 26, 2025|access-date=February 26, 2025}} After Ovechkin broke the career goals record in the regular season, the April 17 road game at the Pittsburgh Penguins returned back exclusively to ESPN and the April 15 road game at the New York Islanders was flexed out in favor of the Florida at Tampa Bay game.{{Cite web |last=DiCristoforo |first=Andrea |date=2025-04-10 |title=ESPN Adds Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning to April 15 Exclusive Game Schedule |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/04/espn-adds-florida-panthers-at-tampa-bay-lightning-to-april-15-exclusive-game-schedule/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Oland |first=Ian |date=2025-04-08 |title=Capitals announce broadcasting schedule changes for two remaining games |url=https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2025/04/08/capitals-announce-broadcasting-schedule-changes-for-two-remaining-games/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=RMNB |language=en-US}}

{{See also|ESPN Megacast}}

Since the beginning of ESPN's current NHL contract, the network has occasionally presented alternate broadcasts of games on ESPN+, including "Star Watch" (which featured camera angles focused on specific star players),{{Cite web |title=Bruins fans can get unique view of Brad Marchand against Penguins and Sidney Crosby |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/unique-view-brad-marchand-sidney-crosby-espn-star-watch/ |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=CBS News Boston |date=November 2022 |language=en-US}} "IceCast" (which featured a higher camera angle and on-screen statistics),{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=MLB's streaming deals stick it to RSNs, but fans hurt even more |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/3/24/22994898/mlb-streaming-deals-apple-tv-peacock-nbc-comcast-rsn-marquee-sports-network-nbc-sports-chicago |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}} and "All-12" (an alternate camera angle of the entire ice during the 2023 NHL Stadium Series game, inspired by ESPN's "All-22" feeds for college football).{{Cite web |author1=R. Thomas Umstead |date=2023-02-17 |title=ABC, ESPN Take NHL Coverage Outdoors With Stadium Series Telecast |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/abc-espn-take-nhl-coverage-outdoors-with-stadium-series-telecast |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=Multichannel News |language=en}} In a similar approach to the FoxTrax glowing puck from the '90s, ESPN produced a "Puck Possessor" visual identifier altcast for select ABC games. This broadcast, which takes the main feed and focuses on who has the puck during games, is broadcast on ESPN+, along with the traditional ABC broadcast.

On March 14, 2023, ESPN presented an alternate youth-oriented broadcast of that night's Washington Capitals–New York Rangers game known as the NHL Big City Greens Classic, simulcast on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney+ and ESPN+;{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=2023-02-14 |title=Disney Will Animate ESPN Coverage for Disney Channel to Get Kids Into Hockey |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/disney-espn-animated-nhl-hockey-big-city-greens-1235522327/ |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2023-02-14 |title=ESPN & Disney Channel Team Up With NHL For ‘Big City Greens Classic’ Animated Special |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/espn-disney-channel-nhl-big-city-greens-classic-animated-special-1235259694/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} the broadcast leveraged the league's player and puck tracking system to render a real-time 3D animated perspective of the game based on the Disney Channel animated series Big City Greens.

On October 24, 2023, ESPN+ and ESPN2 aired Frozen Frenzy, a whiparound broadcast (similar to NFL RedZone) carrying live look-ins on all games occurring that night. All 32 NHL teams played games that night, with all games having staggered start times, and a tripleheader on ESPN.{{Cite web |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=2023-10-04 |title=ESPN debuting NHL whip-around show 'Frozen Frenzy' on October 24 |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/espn-nhl-whiparound-show-frozen-frenzy-october-24.html |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-25 |title=A review of 'Frozen Frenzy' — the NHL's answer to NFL RedZone |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/a-review-of-frozen-frenzy--the-nhls-answer-to-nfl-redzone-044550643.html |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-CA}}

ESPN brought back the NHL Big City Greens Classic for the March 9, 2024 broadcast of that day's Pittsburgh Penguins-Boston Bruins game, the second half of an ABC Hockey Saturday doubleheader. Like the Capitals-Rangers game last year, this broadcast was simulcast on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney+ and ESPN+, and featured the same real-time 3D animated perspective based on Big City Greens.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-08 |title=NHL's Big City Greens Classic alt-cast from ESPN, Disney and Beyond Sports set to return in March |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/02/16/nhl-espn-big-city-greens-classic-2 |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=2024-02-16 |title=NHL's 'Big City Greens Classic' returning in March |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/nhl-big-city-greens-classic-march-penguins-bruins.html |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Drew |date=2024-03-08 |title=Disney and ESPN’s NHL Big City Greens Classic 2 Gives Hockey an Animated Overlay {{!}} Exclusive Video |url=https://www.thewrap.com/nhl-big-city-greens-classic-2-animated-hockey-game-preview/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}

{{main|List of NHL on ESPN personalities}}

1. Steve Levy: studio host (1993–2004), lead studio host (2021–present), play-by-play (1993–2004, 2021–present){{Cite web|date=June 29, 2021|title=McDonough gets lead NHL gig on ESPN|url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2021/06/sean-mcdonough-nhl-espn-lead-voice-steve-levy/|access-date=August 11, 2021|website=Sports Media Watch}}{{Cite web|title=McDonough, Levy to lead ESPN's team for NHL coverage|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2021/06/29/mcdonough-levy-to-lead-espns-team-for-nhl-coverage/117327944/|access-date=August 11, 2021|website=USA TODAY}}{{Cite web|date=June 29, 2021|title=Dynamic, Diverse and Accomplished Team to Present ESPN's NHL Coverage to Fans|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/?p=216400|access-date=June 29, 2021|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.}}
2. John Buccigross: alternate studio host (1998–2004, 2021–present), play-by-play (2021–present)
3. Arda Ocal: alternate studio host (2021–present); rinkside reporter (2024–present)
4. Leah Hextall: #2 rinkside reporter (2021–present); alternate studio host (2024–present); play-by-play (2021–2023)
5. Kevin Weekes: color commentator, rinkside reporter, studio host/analyst, and insider (2021–present)

1. Mark Messier: lead studio analyst/color commentator (2021–present){{Cite web|date=June 24, 2021|title=NHL great Messier joins ESPN as studio analyst|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31702318/mark-messier-joins-espn-studio-analyst-nhl-coverage|access-date=June 24, 2021|website=ESPN}}{{Cite web|last=Ciccotelli|first=Jenna|title=Mark Messier Joining ESPN as NHL Studio Analyst Starting with 2021-22 Season|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2945146-mark-messier-joining-espn-as-nhl-studio-analyst-starting-with-2021-22-season|access-date=June 24, 2021|website=Bleacher Report}}
2. P. K. Subban: lead studio analyst/color commentator (2022–present)
3. Kevin Weekes: color commentator, rinkside reporter, studio host/analyst, and insider (2021–present)
4. Ryan Callahan: color commentator/ice-level analyst/studio analyst (2021–present)
5. A. J. Mleczko: color commentator/ice-level analyst/studio analyst (2021–present)
6. Ray Ferraro: studio analyst (2002–2004, 2024–present), lead ice-level analyst (2021–present){{Cite news|author=The Athletic Staff|title=Ray Ferraro and Brian Boucher to join ESPN as NHL analysts: Sources|url=https://theathletic.com/news/ray-ferraro-and-brian-boucher-to-join-espn-as-nhl-analysts-sources/Sql74742jB6L|access-date=July 13, 2021|website=The Athletic}}
7. Meghan Chayka: analytics and draft expert (2022–present)

1. Sean McDonough: play-by-play (1993–1994, 1999–2000, 2002–2004), lead play-by-play (2021–present){{Cite web|title=Sean McDonough to lead ESPN's NHL coverage|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/media/2021/06/29/sean-mcdonough-espn-nhl-coverage-deal/|access-date=August 11, 2021|website=www.Boston.com}}{{Cite web|date=June 29, 2021|title=ESPN Announces Its No. 1 Announcer For The NHL|url=https://thespun.com/more/sports-media/nhl-espn-contract-sean-mcdonough-top-play-by-play-announcer-roster-mark-messier-steve-levy|access-date=August 11, 2021|website=The Spun}}
2. Bob Wischusen: #2 play-by-play (2021–present)
3. Mike Monaco: #3 play-by-play (2022–present)
4. Steve Levy: studio host (1993–2004), lead studio host (2021–present), play-by-play (1993–2004, 2021–present)
5. John Buccigross: alternate studio host (1998–2004, 2021–present) and play-by-play (2021–present)
6. Roxy Bernstein: play-by-play (2022–present)
7. Drew Carter: NHL Big City Greens Classic play-by-play (2023–present)

1. Ray Ferraro: studio analyst (2002–2004, 2024–present), lead color commentator/ice-level analyst (2021–present)
2. Ryan Callahan: color commentator/ice-level analyst/studio analyst (2021–present); #2 color commentator (2024–present)
3. A. J. Mleczko: #3 color commentator/studio analyst (2021–present)
4. Kevin Weekes: color commentator, rinkside reporter, studio host/analyst, and insider (2021–present)
5. Cassie Campbell-Pascall: color commentator (2021–present)
6. Blake Bolden: contributor (2022–present); color commentator/ice-level analyst (2023–present)
7. Mark Messier: lead studio analyst/color commentator (2021–present)
8. P. K. Subban: lead studio analyst/color commentator (2022–present)

1. Emily Kaplan: insider and lead rinkside reporter (2021–present)
2. Leah Hextall: #2 rinkside reporter (2021–present); alternate studio host (2024–present); play-by-play (2021–2023)
3. Kevin Weekes: color commentator, rinkside reporter, studio host/analyst, and insider (2021–present)
4. Arda Ocal: alternate studio and "The Point" host (2021–present); rinkside reporter (2024–present)
5. Stormy Buonantony: rinkside reporter (2024–present)
6. Marty Smith: Stadium Series reporter (2023; 2025)

1. Dave Jackson – rules analyst (2021–present){{Cite web|date=October 3, 2021|title=Referee Dave Jackson Joins ESPN NHL Broadcast Team|url=https://scoutingtherefs.com/2021/10/32119/referee-dave-jackson-joins-espn-nhl-broadcast-team/|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=Scouting The Refs|language=en-US}}{{cite tweet |last=Johnston |first=Patrick |user=risingaction |number=1444030788224229378 |date=October 1, 2021 |title=ESPN adding a rules analyst in retired ref Dave Jackson. TSN of course had Kerry Fraser in the past. Sportsnet should have done so years ago. https://t.co/UauTkdMz20 |language=en |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013190837/https://twitter.com/risingaction/status/1444030788224229378 |archive-date=October 13, 2021 |url-status=live}}

1. Emily Kaplan: lead insider and lead rinkside reporter (2021–present)
2. Greg Wyshynski: insider (2021–present)
3. Kevin Weekes: color commentator, rinkside reporter, studio host/analyst, and insider (2021–present)

{{main|Ratings for The NHL on ESPN}}

{{reflist|2}}

• {{official website|https://www.espn.com/nhl/}}

{{s-start}}

{{succession box|before=USA Network| title=NHL pay television carrier in the United States| years=1985–1988| after=SportsChannel America}}

{{succession box|before=SportsChannel America| title=NHL pay television carrier in the United States| years=1992–2004| after=OLN/Versus/NBCSN}}

{{succession box|before=OLN/Versus/NBCSN| title=NHL pay television carrier (with TNT) in the United States| years=2021–present| after= incumbent}}

{{s-end}}

{{National Hockey League on national television}}

{{ESPN}}

{{ESPN original programming}}

{{NHL on ESPN}}

{{NHL on ABC}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nhl On Espn}}

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