Quite frankly, I was surprised that Darren Pang, a former Blackhawk goalie, was available after Troy Murray & Patrick Sharp alternated as analysts when Eddie Olczyk left the Blackhawks' broadcasts in 2021. At the same time, you can thank the ongoing bankruptcy situation with Pang's former employers at Diamond Sports Group for him becoming available to begin with.

Diamond Sports Group is the parent company of Bally Sports. They're the company that took over management of the FOX Sports-branded regional sports networks across America 2 years ago.

From everything that I have read, Pang was going to sign an extension to continue analyzing the St. Louis Blues' broadcasts in addition to his national work with Warner Bros. Discovery, better known as TNT for the NHL. I think the Blues' broadcast situation being iffy at best is why Pang is back with the Blackhawks as Chris Vosters' primary analyst on NBC Sports Chicago in what could be their final season as the team's primary TV home. I'm also expecting improvement from Vosters, even though we all knew it wasn't going to be easy filling the big shoes of Pat Foley on these same broadcasts.

What remains to be seen is whether NBCSC will still be around in this changing media climate next year when the Blackhawks, Bulls & White Sox deals with NBC Sports expires.

There are a couple of schools of thought. 1. The teams could relocate to Stadium Network, which Bulls/Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf recently took over as majority owner there. The idea could be completely overhauling Stadium, the former 120 Sports, into more of a mainstream outlet. Stadium currently airs "The Rally" & the sports betting show "Live On The Line" from studios already inside United Center.

2. Could Marquee make a run at one of the winter tenants? The channel which carries Cubs' games during the spring & summer lacks much programming during the fall & winter months. In Boston, NESN carries the Bruins in addition to the Red Sox. In New York, YES carries the Nets in addition to the Yankees.

In plain English, there's a chance the Blackhawks could have not just a new TV partner, but I think their radio deal with 720 AM WGN Radio is also expiring. Stay tuned.