ESPN is adding another Hall of Famer to its forthcoming NHL coverage, The Post has learned.
Chris Chelios will join Mark Messier as part of ESPN’s top studio team, according to sources. ABC/ESPN and TNT will take over the national coverage of the NHL next season. ABC/ESPN will have four of the next seven Stanley Cup Finals.
ESPN and TNT have been like franchises signing free agents. After TNT landed Wayne Gretzky, ESPN countered with Messier — and now Chelios.
Chelios, 59, won the Cup three times — twice with the Red Wings and once with the Canadiens. Chelios has worked for ESPN before as an analyst on the World Cup of Hockey.
For next season, ESPN has already signed Ray Ferraro and Brian Boucher as game analysts. The duo are expected to be part of the final coverage. ESPN has considered Steve Levy and Sean McDonough for the top play-by-play job. The network has also hired Kevin Weekes as a studio and game analyst and Leah Hextall for play-by-play and other roles.
Turner, meanwhile, has had talks with Brendan Burke about becoming its No. 2 play-by-player, according to sources. Burke has been a rising star with his work on the Islanders and NBC. No deal is done yet with Burke.
TNT has signed Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk as its lead game callers.