Kelly Hrudey's Sportsnet exit won't change Ryan Huska's bench, but it creates a real problem around Calgary Flames broadcasts.
Hrudey revealed that he was informed on June 19 his contract wouldn't be renewed for the 2026-27 season, ending a 12-year run with Sportsnet.
His departure reaches well beyond the national studio. Hrudey also worked Flames regional games as a colour commentator alongside Jon Abbott and Brendan Parker.
That leaves Sportsnet looking at two separate needs. It has lost an experienced goaltending analyst nationally and a familiar voice who regularly handled Calgary broadcasts.
Hrudey brought a specific perspective from the crease, breaking down positioning, reads and adjustments in a way that came naturally after his NHL playing career.
He'd also been part of Canadian hockey television since 1998, first through Hockey Night in Canada and later through Sportsnet's national and regional coverage.
New information surfaces after Kelly Hrudey's unexpected Sportsnet exit
The Flames side of the equation makes the timing tougher. Sportsnet can't simply hire another studio personality and consider Hrudey's workload replaced.
Calgary's booth has already lost other experienced voices. Greg Millen, who had filled in for Hrudey, died in April 2025, while longtime broadcaster John Garrett is no longer part of the rotation.
That creates a thinner group of obvious options before the 2026-27 schedule begins. Whoever steps in will need chemistry on live broadcasts and enough knowledge of the Flames to handle a full regional workload.
Former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk has surfaced in speculation because of his work as an analyst after retirement. There is no indication Sportsnet has identified him as a candidate.
That distinction matters because no replacement has been announced. Sportsnet has also given no public indication that the national role and Calgary assignment will be filled by the same person.
The network now has a choice about what it wants those positions to become. It can seek another former goalie with technical depth, or reshape the broadcasts around a different style entirely.
For Flames fans, the regional decision may be the bigger one. National panels rotate voices, but a local colour commentator becomes part of the rhythm of an entire season.
Hrudey's departure was already significant after decades on Canadian television. The second layer makes it harder for Sportsnet: replacing the name is one job, replacing everything he actually did could take two.
Should Sportsnet replace Kelly Hrudey with another former NHL goalie?
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