AN ESPN star has been absent from its NHL season-opening coverage and will not return to the astonishment of fans.

ESPN will begin its coverage of the 2025-26 NHL season on Thursday night.

Four male ESPN NBA commentators, including Charles Barkley, standing at a sports desk above a hockey arena.
ESPN announced the re-signings of five NHL commentators for the upcoming season, but fans noticed that one analyst will not return to the networkCredit: ESPN/NHL

Nicholas Paul #20 of the Tampa Bay Lightning being interviewed by Ryan Callahan.
Tampa Bay Lightning star Nicholas Paul in a post-game interview with Ryan CallahanCredit: Getty
The Worldwide Leader in Sports announced the re-signings of five NHL commentators to multi-year agreements.

The network also revealed the return of their usual studio stars, which include analysts PK Subban, Mark Messier, and host Steve Levy.

However, hockey fans noticed the absence of the analyst and former NHL star Ryan Callahan from its veteran lineup.

“Callahan was your best analyst, would be real ESPN of you to not renew him,” one wrote.

NHL legend and champion announces retirement as fans strongly react

“Why do they get rid of the good analysts? they always do that with every sport they air…won’t surprise me if he lands with TNT,” another commented.

Hockey reporter Braylon Breeze would later confirm that Callahan “will not be returning” to the network’s hockey coverage of the upcoming season.

Callahan seemed to hear the noise about his departure and confirmed his leaving of the network.

But the 40-year-old revealed the reason for his departure, writing on social media that he “wanted to spend more time with my young family.”

“For all those asking, I am taking a step away from ESPN this year. It has been a great four years with the worldwide leader in sports,” Callahan wrote on X.

“I’m going to miss working with all the great people there, but I wanted to spend more time with my young family.

“Excited to tune in tonight to see the start of what should be another great NHL season!”

Callahan joined ESPN in 2021, as he provided studio analysis and serving as an analyst for select NHL games.

He began his broadcasting career in 2019 with the NHL Network as he served as a studio analyst.

And Callahan was a studio analyst for the NHL on NBC.

Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers holding a puck.
Callahan played for the Rangers from 2006 to 2014, as he recorded 132 goals and 122 assists in that spanCredit: Getty
Callahan played 13 seasons in the NHL with the Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

He recorded 186 goals and 200 assists in 757 regular-season games.

Callahan also registered 20 goals and 19 assists in 121 playoff games.

He was the 26th captain of the Rangers in 2011.

Ryan Callahan #24 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates during a game.
Callahan finished his career with the Lightning, where he played for six seasonsCredit: Getty
Callahan was traded to the Lightning in 2014, where he finished out his career, retiring in 2020.