Friedman moved from CBC to Sportsnet, along with Hockey Night in Canada, in 2014. Since then, he has taken the mantle as hockey\u2019s No. 1 insider, making him one of the most influential people in the sport.<\/p>\n
Bieksa has been with the network since 2020. Quick wit combined with intelligent analysis has made him arguably the best analyst covering the NHL today. He has won the \u201cbest sports analyst\u201d Canadian Screen Award three years in a row.<\/p>\n
While Sportsnet has taken a ton of criticism from fans in recent years, Friedman and Bieksa are likely the network\u2019s two most popular hockey broadcasters.<\/p>\n
It begs the question: are Sportsnet execs playing with fire here?<\/p>\n
Maybe not with Friedman, who is \u201cinching closer\u201d to a deal with Sportsnet, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun<\/a>.<\/p>\n As for Bieksa, Longley is reporting that the former Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks defenceman has \u201centertained opportunities\u201d to work in the United States.<\/p>\n Will Kevin Bieksa be back on Canadian television next year? (Sportsnet)<\/p>\n Bieksa lives in Southern California, so it\u2019s not like the commute to Toronto is convenient anyway. And wouldn\u2019t he fit in well on an NHL on TNT panel?<\/p>\n Whatever the case, it\u2019ll be fascinating to see what NHL hockey looks like on Saturday nights this season.<\/p>\n We know the show won\u2019t be called<\/a> \u201cHockey Night in Canada\u201d going forward. Kelly Hrudey<\/a> isn\u2019t being brought back, and Jennifer Botterill<\/a> is reportedly moving to Monday night.<\/p>\n What about After Hours? Will Sportsnet continue the popular post-game feature following Scott Oake\u2019s retirement?<\/p>\n With the puck dropping on the NHL regular season in late September, we\u2019ll know answers to all these questions very soon.<\/p>\n![\"kevin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bieksa-sportsnet.png\"\/ "\\"\\"")
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