According to
Elliotte Friedman on his
Sportsnet 32 thoughts podcast,
"When the NHL brought its GMs and coaches together in Chicago before the season, one of the things they were told was media — especially rightsholders — and fans were demanding more 'all-access' style programming. As part of that, it was made very clear that anyone asked to wear a microphone did so. Sometime this week, a note went out indicating that some of these requests were being declined, and this is to change, right away. I bring this up not to 'wave the media flag,' but because one executive noted to me Wednesday that this is a real change in attitude from the NHL. It has never pushed as hard as it is doing now. Things are changing."