One group thinks so. The Friends of Canadian Media is suggesting certain events are so important to Canada's cultural identity that to take them off so-called "free media" should not be allowed. The campaign has been spurred by the recent announcement that there will no longer be any way to see an NHL game - regular season but especially playoff - without having to fork out a small fortune to a company like Rogers.

As the article below outlines, many countries actually have rules like that in place. And the Friends believe it should apply to the NHL in Canada. 

“The issue isn’t whether Rogers has a legal right to negotiate these deals. Of course they do,” (spokesman Raj Shoan) added. “The question is whether Canada’s broadcast policy should continue to guarantee some measure of public access to events that have some sort of cultural value, public value over and above their commercial value.” 

If that name sounds even remotely familiar, it's because Shoan was once a controversial CRTC Commissioner, who regularly had disagreements with his fellow members. He believes the government could work out a way that would restore at least some games to free TV, without compromising Rogers ability to sell or keep the rights to whomever it wants.

But they shouldn't shut out Canadians who either won't - or can't - afford to pay some outrageous rates for what they used to get free. 

No NHL games on free Canadian TV? This group thinks there should be a law against that