Multiple Canadian NHL teams had broadcasts affected by FAA grounding
The effects of Friday’s FAA nationwide ground stop in the United States were still being felt by certain Canadian NHL teams on Saturday.
All of the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, and Winnipeg Jets were playing in the U.S. on Saturday, and while the players were able to arrive at their destinations on time, the same couldn’t be said for broadcast crews.
The ground stop stranded Sportsnet broadcast crews, who were not able to make it to games on time. That resulted in the network having to pivot to American feeds to carry each game.
Ian Mendes, the vice president of communications with the Senators, sent out an update on the situation on Saturday night, confirming the three Canadian teams affected.
“In case anybody missed the explanation, we’re getting the Penguins broadcast feed tonight on Sportsnet because Rogers production crew/talent were stranded with the flight shutdowns and couldn’t make it to Pittsburgh,” wrote Mendes.
“Us, Jets & Flames all in same boat with games in [the United States] today.”
In case anybody missed the explanation, we’re getting the Penguins broadcast feed tonight on Sportsnet because Rogers production crew/talent were stranded with the flight shutdowns and couldn’t make it to Pittsburgh.
Us, Jets & Flames all in same boat with games in 🇺🇸 today.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) November 15, 2026
The Senators were in Pittsburgh to play the Penguins, while the Jets took on the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Flames were lining up against the LA Kings. The other Canadian teams in action on Saturday had the luxury of staying in Canada, as the Edmonton Oilers were in Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs, and the Montreal Canadiens were at home against the Colorado Avalanche.
In Calgary’s case, some members of the Sportsnet crew were able to arrive on time, but were unable to go forward with the broadcast. Flames play-by-play man Jon Abbott posted a photo from the broadcast booth at Crypto.com Arena in L.A. but said he would only be a spectator for the game.
“Usual broadcast position, but not the usual broadcast,” Abbott wrote. “Our great SN crew were caught in the travel disruption, and so, we will have the Kings call on SN tonight. We’re back tomorrow for Flames game in Anaheim.”
Usual broadcast position, but not the usual broadcast…our great SN crew were caught in the travel disruption and so, we will have the Kings call on SN tonight. We’re back tomorrow for #Flames game in Anaheim pic.twitter.com/0C5cTyNUps
— Jon Abbott (@AbbsPxP) November 15, 2026
It does seem as though this will be a short-lived inconvenience around the league. The nationwide ground stop only lasted a few hours, meaning that travel could resume normally on Saturday. Abbott mentioned that the regular Sportsnet crew would be available for Sunday’s Flames game in Anaheim.