First shift, October 8th

NHL Network has launched its new show, NHL tonight: First shiftwhich is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 8th with the first national night of the 2024-25 NHL season.

“I'm really looking forward to taking the helm of what we believe will be the fastest 60 minutes in hockey by providing an opinionated and informative discussion, socially engaging fans and speaking to newsmakers from all areas of the game,” he says NHL Network broadcaster EJ Hradek.

The daily program is a casual and conversational show with hard-hitting opinions and analysis on the day's news and is co-hosted by Hradek and a rotating group of NHL Network analysts, including Kevin weeks, Tony Granato, The invoice LindsayAnd NHL.com's Dan Rosen. The premiere episode featuring Hradek and Weekes on October 8 begins at 3:30 p.m. ET before beginning in its regular 4 p.m. time slot. ET on Wednesday, October 9. The program airs from Studio G at NHL Network's headquarters in Secaucus, New Jersey.

Since joining in 2011, he has contributed to the NHL Network in a variety of ways, most recently as lead analyst on the early edition of NHL Tonight and as play-by-play voice on the NHL Network Showcase package.

“We are excited to expand our flagship show, NHL tonightinto a new and earlier time window,” says Josh Bernstein, vice president of programming at NHL Network. “EJ’s personality and extensive knowledge of the game will be the perfect blend to prepare our fans and spectators for each upcoming night of hockey.”

NHL tonight has long been NHL Network's signature show, offering comprehensive previews of all of the night's games, followed by looks at live games throughout the evening. With the addition of NHL tonight: First shiftNHL Networks NHL now The program moves to 5:00 p.m. ET, followed by NHL tonight at 7 p.m. ET.