Blackhawks Lead NHL TV Appearances Despite Missing Playoffs

Despite a "failure to qualify for the playoffs last season," the Blackhawks will be on national TV 19 times during the '18-19 season, "representing nearly a quarter of their regular-season schedule." That also is "more than any other NHL team" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 8/13). Meanwhile, the Avalanche are "going to be a part of the national broadcast a lot more than a year ago" and will be "featured on six national broadcasts this season." The club was "one of the biggest surprises in the league and making the playoffs a year ago likely has a lot to do with the bump in exposure" (SBNATION.com, 8/13).

Despite adding No. 1 overall NHL Draft selection Rasmus Dahlin and LW Jeff Skinner in free agency, the Sabres "haven’t impressed" NBC execs. The Sabres "aren’t scheduled to get any games on NBC and will make only five scheduled appearances" on NBCSN. That NBCSN figure is even "down from seven last season" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 8/13).