Amazon Prime reportedly dropped a monster offer on Elliotte Friedman!

The Canadian hockey media world has been buzzing with activity as the 2026-27 NHL season draws closer. Behind the scenes, the sports broadcasting landscape is experiencing a seismic shift that could permanently alter how hockey is presented on television in Canada.

At the center of it all is one of the most respected insiders in the sport, and a tech giant looking to shake up the status quo.

Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa, two of Sportsnet's most recognizable on-air personalities, officially became free agents after failing to reach contract extensions with Rogers before their respective deadlines. That alone was a troubling development for the network. But the situation reportedly escalated when Amazon Prime Video entered the picture.

According to journalist Howard Berger, Friedman is essentially done at Sportsnet. Prime Video has reportedly placed an offer on the table so massive that Rogers simply cannot match it. Amazon's plan, according to Berger, is to bring the famed insider aboard for its Wednesday night NHL broadcast package, which runs throughout the regular season.

Berger went as far as suggesting that Amazon's Wednesday night slate could eventually overtake Saturday as Canada's must-watch hockey night, essentially becoming the new Hockey Night in Canada.

Additional reports indicate that both Friedman and Bieksa were reportedly furious over Sportsnet's decision to part ways with veteran analyst Kelly Hrudey. All three are said to be in advanced discussions with Amazon to finalize a joint deal. If that comes together, it would represent one of the biggest sports media stories in Canadian history.

Sportsnet's talent losses are piling up. Beyond Friedman and Bieksa, the network has already moved on from Hrudey, and Jennifer Botterill is reportedly unlikely to return either. As things stand, Ron MacLean is said to be the only confirmed member of the Hockey Night in Canada panel heading into next season.

Fan reaction on social media has been swift and pointed. Many are questioning how Sportsnet can allow its biggest stars to walk away without a fight. Some see it as the beginning of the end for the network, while others have noted with a dose of sarcasm that a panel featuring only MacLean could spell disaster for viewership.

Other voices have offered a more measured take, pointing out that pregame and intermission analysts are not necessarily what drives audiences. Most viewers tune in for the games themselves. Still, losing Friedman, widely regarded as hockey's top insider, would be an unprecedented blow to the network's credibility and appeal.

It’s been said that negotiations are reportedly still ongoing behind closed doors. If Amazon successfully lands Friedman, Bieksa, and potentially Hrudey under one roof, the balance of power in Canadian hockey broadcasting will be fundamentally reshaped, and Wednesday night could become the new sacred evening for hockey fans across the country.