Will Hockey Night in Canada lose Jennifer Botterill as Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa face uncertain NHL futures

Hockey Nite in Canada’s future is looking more and more uncertain as the 2026-27 NHL season approaches. The change has not been officially confirmed, but Jennifer Botterill is not expected to be back on the panel after six seasons.There is also some uncertainty surrounding Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa, whose Sportsnet contracts were reported not to be finalised as of late August. That’s particularly true since both have become high-profile figures in the network’s national NHL coverage.Will Jennifer Botterill leave Hockey Night in Canada?There are reports that Jennifer Botterill may be leaving Hockey Night in Canada after the 2026-27 NHL season, but nothing has been officially announced.Botterill came on the national hockey broadcast in 2020 and has developed into a respected analyst. If she does leave, it will remove a familiar voice from a panel that has undergone big changes.The timing is interesting, though, as Sportsnet’s coverage of the NHL in Canada is entering a new era. Botterill was part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs programming earlier this year with Kevin Bieksa, Elliotte Friedman and other analysts.The potential change comes amid reports that Kelly Hrudey has decided not to return, adding to the uncertainty around the familiar Saturday night lineup. That means when regular-season NHL games begin, viewers may see a very different panel.Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa still have a role to play. There have been reports that their contracts with Sportsnet hadn't been finalised, but no confirmation has been made that either analyst is leaving the network.What would Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa's departures mean?It would be a big change if either Friedman or Bieksa left, as they both add a different flavour to the NHL broadcasts.Friedman is one of the league’s most recognisable insiders and is closely tied to 32 Thoughts. Bieksa, a former NHL defenseman, has carved out a nice niche as a television analyst since his playing days ended.Keeping both would give Sportsnet some continuity as the network continues to tinker with its broader Saturday night presentation. For fans, their futures may be one of the top NHL broadcasting stories to watch heading into 2026-27.There’s been reporting on Botterill’s departure, the situation with Friedman and Bieksa, but those are stories in the making, not facts in stone, at this point. How much change there is to the familiar NHL broadcast identity of Hockey Nite in Canada will depend on Sportsnet’s ultimate lineup.More changes could be coming to Hockey Nite in Canada ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season, with reports that Jennifer Botterill will be leaving the broadcast panel. Sportsnet also has some uncertainty with Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa. The potential losses could significantly change Saturday night NHL programming for Canadian hockey fans.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.