The 2026–27 campaign might represent a huge turning point in how hockey fans watch the game since Amazon Prime is swiftly growing to be a far larger force in the Canadian NHL broadcasting market.
Prime Video has signed a long-term agreement to broadcast weekly national Wednesday night NHL games in Canada in both English and French, beginning this season. The company previously broadcast Monday night games. The inaugural Prime Video Wednesday night broadcast will take place on September 30.
While this shift means a lot to Canadian hockey aficionados, it may also bring significant behind-the-scenes adjustments.
Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa, two of Sportsnet’s longest-serving personalities, have been the subject of a great deal of conjecture regarding their future. Reportedly, neither one has signed a new contract with Sportsnet, leaving their prospects with the network unclear as the next NHL season draws near.
Naturally, this has prompted speculation that Amazon may be waiting in the wings.
Friedman would be an especially logical choice for Amazon’s NHL coverage. He has become one of Canada’s most identifiable hockey media personalities, and his blend of league-wide knowledge, breaking news, and ability to explain difficult transactions has made him one of Sportsnet’s most prized TV stars. Bieksa, on the other hand, provides something entirely new. With his willingness to joke around, challenge established hockey ideas, and interact with his other panelists, the former NHL defenseman has grown into one of the most entertaining commentators on Canadian television, giving Sportsnet broadcasts a lot of personality.
Given the relationship they have established over the years, the prospect of seeing Friedman and Bieksa team up on a new Amazon broadcast is therefore exciting.
Additionally, there are questions around Kelly Hrudey, another veteran Sportsnet analyst who is apparently not anticipated to come back to the network. Amazon would immediately have a panel full of experienced and well-known individuals if it hired Hrudey, who has been a recognizable face on Canadian hockey broadcasts for decades, to work with Friedman and Bieksa.
Until Amazon or the broadcasters themselves confirm them, none of these potential moves should be regarded as definitive. Hrudey’s exit has fanned the flames of speculation about what Amazon’s revamped hockey coverage could ultimately look like, while Friedman and Bieksa’s Sportsnet futures are still up in the air.
Amazon’s increasing commitment to the NHL is not speculation. In addition to the previous Canadian streaming package, the company will also serve as the only local streaming hub for six NHL teams in their respective markets: the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues.
Furthermore, the leaked schedule for Amazon Prime’s Wednesday Night Hockey has added to the excitement by offering hockey fans an advance look at what is anticipated to be one of the most significant new weekly properties on the Canadian hockey calendar.
If the rumors are true, Amazon’s debut full Wednesday night season will be even more exciting. Additionally, Amazon may start the 2026–27 season with a broadcasting lineup that could contend with Sportsnet not only for audiences but also for some of the most well-known personalities in Canadian hockey media, if Friedman, Bieksa, and Hrudey eventually join the operation.
