Sportsnet’s 2 Biggest Names Remain Unsigned, Polarizing Personality Returning

It appears Sportsnet is bringing back a familiar name for Hockey Night in Canada. Ron MacLean will return, and even though it’s a move that might not be shocking, there is a large contingent of the fan base that isn’t thrilled.

Rumblings: sounds like Ron Maclean will return to Roger’s Saturday night hockey , barring the unforeseen. Same time neither Elliotte’s or Kevin’s contracts have been finalized as of yet. Some talk about one or both seeking to do work with Amazon too- but nothing done with either

— Jonah Sigel | Sports media + streaming (@yyzsportsmedia) August 25, 2026

Sportsnet’s decision not to renew Kelly Hrudey’s contract for the 2026-27 season had already frustrated Hockey Night in Canada viewers. One of the good guys, Hrudey was knowledgeable and cared about the hockey analysis side of things. The news about MacLean’s return seems to have put a few fans over the edge. MacLean knows the game too, but as a host, he seems to spend more time telling unrelated stories, and many argue that his “act” has become tiresome.

“The very definition of “too long at the fair” is Ron Maclean returning to Saturday night hockey,” writes Paul Almeida. “An old stale format returns after hearing they would go in a bold new direction. Friedman should have an intermission to himself with news and rumours. Bieksa is THE top pundit.”

Instead, Jonah Sigel reports that both Friedman and Bieksa haven’t signed new contracts yet. Both appear to be returning, but nothing is officially done. “Some talk about one or both seeking to do work with Amazon too- but nothing done with either.” One fan added, “Choosing to spend money on Ron MacLean over Elliotte Friedman and/or Kevin Bieksa would be the cherry on top of the awful decision-making Rogers and Sportsnet has done over the last several months.”

Several fans said they’d stop watching altogether if Bieksa or Friedman were ever let go, with one writing they’d “unmute” only for Friedman regardless of what else changes. MacLean, meanwhile, took the brunt of the criticism. Not everyone piled on, though: some defended the trio of MacLean, Bieksa, and Friedman as the panel’s core, arguing critics upset about the format should simply watch other broadcasts instead.

The move comes as CBC’s Saturday night NHL broadcasts wind down entirely under the league’s new rights deal, ending a partnership that dates back decades.

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