[Rumour] Ron Maclean to replace George Stromboulopoulos on HNIC

[sureLoss]

https://www.thestar.com/sports/hocke...a-feschuk.html

George Stroumboulopoulos won’t return as host of Hockey Night in Canada next season, sources tell the Star.

His replacement will be the man he replaced. Industry insiders say Ron MacLean is expected to return to the show’s No. 1 seat just two seasons after Stroumboulopoulos was hired with much fanfare in the wake of Rogers’ $5.2-billion acquisition of NHL broadcasting rights. Prior to that, MacLean occupied the job from 1986 until 2014. Since then, he has hosted Sunday night Hometown Hockey broadcasts and worked Saturdays alongside Don Cherry on Coach’s Corner. It’s expected he will continue those roles in addition to resuming the main HNIC hosting gig — the highest-profile position in Canadian sports broadcasting.

The ouster of Stroumboulopoulos marks a strategic about-face for Rogers, which sublicenses Hockey Night in Canada to CBC. In 2014, executives remade the iconic Saturday night show while speaking of the need to bring it to a younger demographic.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Sensible move.

George was spastic in his movements and lacking in his knowledge.

MacLean as a host, a hockey host, is second to none. As long as he keeps his opinions in check and doesn't allow himself to be embarrassment by our commish, Mr Bettman, he'll do fine.

[Drak]

Maclean belongs in that seat IMO. Missed not having him there.

[heep223]

Excellent.

[Otto-matic]

MacLean has that hockey knowledge and ability to connect with the viewers while sharing this beautiful game. George at times was a decent host but he never had the same mojo as Ron.

I can see George taking over the hometown hockey, even though they say Ron will be doing double duties.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Welcome change for me. I like Stombo but he was just not good for that role.

[jschick88]

A step in the right direction. Hopefully some other moves follow like replacing Cox.

[PepsiFree]

Love Strombo and I thought he was doing well, but you can't argue with putting Ron back in that spot.

[Street Pharmacist]

I know some people will be happy. While I like Ron McLean, I feel like if George would have been given more time to develop a following it would've been better

[calgarygeologist]

I like it. Bring back Petrillo too.

[Azure]

Considering how much money Rogers paid for the rights, I find it mind-boggling the decisions they made over who the analysts are.

[GirlySports]

I don't mind George leaving but this could have been an opportunity for HNIC to bring in someone new instead going back to the old.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Just make sure the analysts are solid, informative, and of the non-blowhard variety. No more Healy on HNIC ever. Friedman, Hrudey, and dare I say it, Kypreos please.

[Heavy Jack]

Yes!!! Best news this off season!!

[activeStick]

Sucks any time someone loses their job so feel bad for Strombo. Especially when the role is so large - it has to be disappointing for him. I thought he did a good job but like someone mentioned, very hard to argue that Ron Maclean isn't a better fit.

[GranteedEV]

Strombolopoulos was never going to "accepted" regardless of how he performed at his job.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I don't mind George leaving but this could have been an opportunity for HNIC to bring in someone new instead going back to the old.

Nah, it's not like Ron Maclean was put out to pasture due to being too old/tired for the role. He was demoted by an inept organization that only cared about securing the contract and then made a bunch of quick moves to try to do something new and appeal to a younger audience.

Ron Maclean is second to none in that role, this will be great.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Strombolopoulos was never going to "accepted" regardless of how he performed at his job.

That's probably because his suits were ridiculously too tight. However, this is the same crowd that thinks Don Cherry is a well dressed man.

[bax]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I really liked what George brought to the table. He was excellent and moving discussion forward and interviewing in the studio.

[polak]

I dunno, I don't mind Ron but I thought George was a solid replacement and a shift to the new generation. No complaints though. Eventually Ron will be replaced anyways though and maybe splitting duties would have been a good transition plan.