On Thursday, NHL teams turned the schedule release day into a showcase for their social media crews, rolling out skits, graphics, and player cameos to unveil the 2026-27 slate. This creative approach not only engaged fans but also highlighted the unique personalities of each team.
Creative Social Media Announcements by NHL Teams
In Boston, defenseman Nikita Zadorov stepped behind the keyboard while the team’s regular admins took a break. He pulled in Charlie McAvoy, Jeremy Swayman, mascot Blades, and anthem singer Todd Angilly to pitch ideas before the group settled on a straightforward post. This collaborative effort showcased the camaraderie among players while keeping the fans entertained.
Dallas leaned into a tongue-in-cheek, self-help-style spot aimed at keeping fans entertained. In Montreal, forward Jake Evans tried to trick teammates by flashing the club’s 1992-93 schedule; Alex Newhook admired the retro touches before realizing the setup. St. Louis kept things sparse with a simple PDF of games and a wry nod that an email might have done the job, adding a touch of humor to their announcement.
Tampa Bay had goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy narrate a dramatic, book-themed rundown of the season. Nashville used a sketch modeled after a late-night variety show to engage their audience. On Long Island, veterans Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin played the role of interns tasked with collaborating to defuse a mock office rivalry while rolling out the dates in a fun and relatable manner.
Chicago matched each opponent with a “uniquely Chicago” object, including a street rat burrow for Florida and the city’s famed mirrored sculpture, commonly known as the Bean, for Boston. Pittsburgh took its reveal on the road to businesses in the Strip District, successfully involving the local community. Anaheim creatively tore into a pack of custom trading cards to display matchups, while brothers Nick and Marcus Foligno hit the highway to uncover Minnesota’s schedule, emphasizing the excitement of the upcoming season.
All 32 teams will play 84 games this season, up from 82. The 2026-27 campaign opens Sept. 29 with five games split across national broadcasts: a tripleheader on ESPN featuring the Panthers at the Hurricanes at Lenovo Center at 5 p.m. ET, the Rangers at the Bruins at TD Garden at 8 p.m. ET, and the Blackhawks at the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena at 10:30 p.m. ET. Additionally, a doubleheader on Sportsnet will showcase the Canadiens at the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m. ET and the Canucks at the Oilers at Rogers Place at 10 p.m. ET.