Sportsnet to debut ‘Saturday Night Hockey’ as NHL’s long run with HNIC comes to close

TORONTO — A new-look Saturday night hockey broadcast will make its debut for Canadian viewers tonight.

With the NHL not returning to CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada,” Sportsnet is pivoting to a new title, “Saturday Night Hockey,” for its marquee Saturday night broadcast.

The four-game opening slate has Ottawa visiting Toronto, Montreal at Pittsburgh, Seattle at Edmonton and Calgary at Vancouver. Ron MacLean will host the “Saturday Night Hockey” panel alongside Kevin Bieksa, Elliotte Friedman and Colby Armstrong.

Domestic rights-holder Rogers Communications and the CBC did not renew their sublicensing agreement for this season. Sportsnet is part of Rogers Sports & Media, which is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications.