The 2023–2024 NHL season is underway, but if you live in a market affected by the league’s issues with regional sports networks (RSNs), you may be wondering if you can watch your team locally this season. The NHL is tracking Bally Sports’ ongoing bankruptcy negotiations, which may interrupt local broadcasts for teams like the Red Wings and Predators.
Here’s what you need to know about the NHL and RSN situation and the best ways to ensure you don’t miss an NHL game all season.
Local NHL channels
Every NHL team has a local broadcast partner for games that don’t get national coverage. To confirm RSNs in your region, use DIRECTV’s RSN Channel Locator to see each team’s network partners.
| NHL team | Local channel |
|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | Bally Sports |
| Arizona Coyotes | Bally Sports |
| Boston Bruins | NESN |
| Buffalo Sabres | MSG Networks |
| Calgary Flames | Sportsnet |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Bally Sports |
| Chicago Blackhawks | NBC Sports Regional Networks |
| Colorado Avalanche | Altitude Sports |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Bally Sports |
| Dallas Stars | Bally Sports |
| Detroit Red Wings | Bally Sports |
| Edmonton Oilers | Sportsnet |
| Florida Panthers | Bally Sports |
| Los Angeles Kings | Bally Sports |
| Minnesota Wild | Bally Sports |
| Montreal Canadiens | RDS/TSN |
| Nashville Predators | Bally Sports |
| New Jersey Devils | MSG Networks |
| New York Islanders | MSG Networks |
| New York Rangers | MSG Networks |
| Ottawa Senators | TSN |
| Philadelphia Flyers | NBC Sports Regional Networks |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | SportsNet Pittsburgh |
| San Jose Sharks | NBC Sports Regional Networks |
| Seattle Kraken | Root Sports |
| St. Louis Blues | Bally Sports |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Bally Sports |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | TSN/Sportsnet |
| Vancouver Canucks | Sportsnet |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Scripps/KMCC/Vegas 34 |
| Washington Capitals | Monumental Sports Network |
| Winnipeg Jets | TSN |
Data effective as of post date.
NHL and RSNs
RSNs have been in a tough spot in recent years, but two big moves have created shockwaves for NHL teams and fans. Earlier this year, Bally Sports’ parent company entered bankruptcy, and Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it’d shut down its RSNs.
Some teams have found their own lifelines: The Golden Knights will broadcast local games free in Nevada and the Mountain West via Scripps Sports, while the Penguins bought out their RSN from Warner Bros. Discovery. But if you root for the following teams, you need to change (or be prepared to change) your viewing plans this season:
NHL teams affected by RSN situation
- Anaheim Ducks
- Arizona Coyotes
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Dallas Stars
- Detroit Red Wings
- Florida Panthers
- Minnesota Wild
- Nashville Predators
- Los Angeles Kings
- Minnesota Wild
- Nashville Predators
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- St. Louis Blues
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Vegas Golden Knights
What happens next?
Will you be able to watch local Coyotes or Red Wings games at home next season? It depends on how Bally Sports’ bankruptcy conversations shake out. But the NHL has backup options to ensure games reach your TV.
In an August 2023 interview with The Athletic, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league is “prepared to do what needs to be done” to ensure fans can watch local games. If Bally is unable to broadcast games, NHL teams could potentially partner with other carriers or—as with the Penguins—acquire their local RSN.
But regardless, the NHL’s RSN problem will be a hassle for affected fans. Check back with CableTV.com all season long for the latest updates on the NHL’s RSN situation.
Interested in NHL games this season?
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Best local NHL TV providers
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Check out our full NHL watch guide for more provider picks and NHL-watching tips.
