Unfortunate update emerges for Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season

Sportsnet's blockbuster panel is once again in flux, and this time it involves two of the network's most recognizable voices.

Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa are both officially free agents heading into the 2026-27 season, according to Toronto Star reporter Jonah Siegel.

Neither insider has a new contract in hand as their previous deals expired, though that does not necessarily mean either man is leaving the network for good.

Siegel's report noted that talks remain fluid, and both sides could still find common ground before the season gets underway.

Ron MacLean, meanwhile, has already been locked in to return for Hockey Night in Canada, giving Sportsnet at least one familiar face on the panel regardless of how the Friedman and Bieksa situations play out.

The network already parted ways with longtime analyst Kelly Hrudey earlier in the offseason, so there is clearly added pressure to keep some continuity elsewhere on the broadcast.

Friedman is widely viewed as the top insider in the entire sport, and his 32 Thoughts podcast has become appointment listening for hockey fans across North America every week.

Bieksa has carved out his own lane since retiring from the NHL in 2018, bringing a playful energy that pairs well with Friedman's steady delivery on the panel night after night.

Amazon Prime Video has already been mentioned as a possible landing spot for one or both broadcasters if Sportsnet cannot get a deal done in time.

For now nothing is finalized on either front, and industry watchers expect updates in the coming days as training camps open and networks finalize their broadcast lineups for the new season ahead.

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