For the first time ever, the Stanley Cup Final resides on Warner Bros. Discovery's TNT channel.
It's year two of the league's new broadcast deal in the United States and after ESPN handled the Stanley Cup Final in 2022, it's time for TNT to shine. While hockey fans had to learn some new faces last season, that won't be the case this time around with a lineup that brings more than a few familiar faces.
With any major event comes pressure — pressure some of these TNT faces aren't strangers to. Now in 2023, they will once again provide the soundtrack, being the voices that narrate NHL history, which will play on highlight reels and inside the winning — and losing — city forever.
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The Sporting News introduces you to the NHL on TNT crew that will call the network's first Stanley Cup Final.
Who makes up the NHL on TNT studio team?
Before there was ESPN and TNT, NBC Sports was home to the NHL and its captivating postseasons. ESPN opted for some different faces to headline its coverage, while Turner Sports set out to bring some of the NBC talent on board, unleashing their personalities — both in the studio and broadcast booth.
Liam McHugh, host
The face of the NHL on NBC's studio has turned one three-letter company in for another. Liam McHugh joined TNT's coverage right after the NBC contract ended and has been the man in the middle ever since. Fans of "Inside the NBA" might recognize McHugh's presence mirrors Ernie Johnson's — letting the analysts thrive in their personality-driven role.
Wayne Gretzky, analyst
TNT's attempt to duplicate its NBA success didn't just stop with McHugh. They also needed some legends of the sport to offer their take as well. The Hall of Fame center, Wayne Gretzky, was a perfect fit. He's a good friend of NBA counterpart Charles Barkley, which was half the battle. Include his experiences on the ice and then "The Great One," was a seamless fit.
Gretz hasn't lost it or did Chuck never have it? 🤔🤣
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 14, 2021
Shootout of the Century over on @NHL_On_TNT pic.twitter.com/VbZSwVIds5
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Paul Bissonnette, analyst
When it comes to personality, it's hard to find more than what Paul Bissonnette brings to the table. Although he wasn't a great NHL player — only registering 22 points in 202 games across six seasons — "Biz" often provides the light-hearted "knucklehead" approach to his analysis, designed to put a smile on fans' faces.
Tonight, the return of the 👑 @HLundqvist to the #NHLonTNT desk.
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) May 25, 2022
Will we see a return of Henrik's guitar? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/pKWxQYDAyQ
Anson Carter, analyst
Another one of the original members at the table, Anson Carter also brings his 10 years of NHL playing experience to the group. Carter played in 674 games, scoring 202 goals and registering 421 points. Carter, and the group, thrive off the ability to just be friends — despite their notably different career paths. On paper, they don't fit together, but it works. But that history is part of what makes Carter poking fun at Gretzky so funny.
Henrik Lundqvist, analyst
So far, we have a nice collection of people to discuss the NHL, but it was lacking a goalie. That's where former New York Rangers star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist comes in. He never hoisted the cup, but the Swede has proven to be a natural on television in a short time since retiring from the game. Sitting opposite Gretzky, Lundqvist and him hold down the panel in terms of fashion — and experience.
The newcomer — who replaced Rick Tocchet after he became head coach of the Canucks — provides excellent insight into what is going through a goalie's mind during various moments in the game — something that is typically lacking in NHL studio show coverage.
.@HLundqvist breaking down Bob's unique style and why he's playing at the top of his game right now ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/AonvksrXXh
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) May 18, 2023
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NHL on TNT announcers
Kenny Albert, play-by-play
After the legendary play-by-play voice, Mike "Doc" Emrick left NBC to retire in 2020, a new voice was needed to headline the league's coverage. Following Emrick's departure, Kenny Albert was named the new No. 1. Albert is the son of an iconic broadcaster — Marv Albert — who was best recognized for his calls on NBA games.
Marv, who also worked for Turner Sports, retired following the conclusion of the 2021 NBA playoffs. Now it's his son Kenny that gets to headline a different department for Turner, the Stanley Cup Final.
One of Albert's strengths is his ability to be versatile, calling games in all four major professional sports in the United States and Canada — NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB — meaning you can hear him almost all year long.
Eddie Olczyk, analyst
A holdover from the NHL's days on NBC, Eddie "Edzo" Olczyk was famous for being alongside Emrick in the booth and for his horse racing coverage of the Triple Crown. In addition to being the lead analyst on TNT's hockey broadcasts, Olczyk holds the same title for the Seattle Kraken's regional sports network. He previously held the same position with the Blackhawks and Penguins.
Olczyk played 16 seasons in the league, playing in 1,031 games, adding 794 points during that span. A member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, Olczyk won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994.
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Keith Jones, analyst
Keeping the group together, Keith "Jonesie" Jones also made the trek over to TNT from NBC. He is typically between the benches in a role that was once notably occupied by Pierre McGuire for NBC. Jones will be leaving TNT following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final to join the Philadelphia Flyers as their President of Hockey Operations.
Jones was also an analyst in the Flyers booth on their regional sports network in addition to co-hosting a morning radio show in the Philadelphia area.
Jackie Redmond, reporter
A fixture on NHL Network, Redmond has joined the Albert, Olczyk and Jones crew as a reporter for the playoff run. She has been featured on broadcasts all season and initially got into the industry after winning season three of "Gillette Drafted: The Search for Canada’s Next Sportscaster."
NHL on TNT schedule
TNT's coverage of the Stanley Cup Final begins on Saturday, June 3 with a one-hour pregame show that gets started at 7 p.m. ET. Puck drop will be shortly after 8 p.m. ET with a half-hour postgame following the action.
Date | Site | Time (ET) | TV |
Sat., June 3 | at Vegas/Dallas | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
Mon., June 5 | at Vegas/Dallas | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
Thurs., June 8 | at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
Sat., June 10 | at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
Tues., June 13 * | at Vegas/Dallas | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV |
Fri., June 16 * | at Florida | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
Mon., June 19 * | at Vegas/Dallas | 8 p.m. | TNT, TBS, truTV |
How to watch the 2023 Stanley Cup Final without cable
- Live stream (U.S.): TNT app, Sling TV
Fans in the U.S. can watch the Stanley Cup Finals on Sling TV, which is now offering half off your first month! Stream the sports you love starting at just $20 in your first month with Sling Orange to catch all the games on TNT.
SIGN UP FOR SLING: English | Spanish
Streaming option | Cable subscription needed? | Cost | Free trial? |
Sling TV | No | $40.00/month | No |
Fubo | No | $74.99/month | Yes |
Hulu + Live TV | No | $69.99/month | Yes |
DirecTV Stream | No | $74.99/month | Yes |
YouTube TV | No | $72.99/month | Yes |
For those looking to live stream, the TNT app is also an option in the United States, however, a cable subscription is required.