[Rumour] Ron Maclean to replace George Stromboulopoulos on HNIC

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

When Maclean is directing traffic he's fine. But for some unfathomable reason he feels he needs demonstrate his encyclopedic knowledge of everyone in Canada who has ever played hockey at higher than a bantam level.

"And of course Jason's uncle Gordie played for the 67s back when Brock Pettinger was coaching. That was the year after they beat the Generals in that clinching game where they had to shut down the 401 because the snow as so bad. Howie Czerniak always said that was the worst blizzard he'd seen since he was assistant coach of the Raiders back when Mike Liut set the record for most wins in a season."

Thanks Ron.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

What? How does accepting a demotion from HNIC host to Hometown Hockey Sunday filler count as standing up to Rogers? You did highlight MacLean's issue in a nutshell in that nobody tunes into HNIC to hear his "views" but we have to endure them anyway. I'm not the biggest Strombo fan but it was refreshing to see a HNIC host actually host rather than try and be the focus of the show.

How do you know he 'accepted' his demotion. I find it very hard to believe he accepted it in anyway. He took it on the chin - knowing it was likely Bettman delivering the punch from his very cowardly distant office in NYC - picked himself off the mat and found a way to get himself back in the HNIC crew.

[McG]

Originally Posted by Corral

How do you know he 'accepted' his demotion. I find it very hard to believe he accepted it in anyway. He took it on the chin - knowing it was likely Bettman delivering the punch from his very cowardly distant office in NYC - picked himself off the mat and found a way to get himself back in the HNIC crew.

Someone has to pay for the yacht in the Caribbean.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Corral

How do you know he 'accepted' his demotion. I find it very hard to believe he accepted it in anyway. He took it on the chin - knowing it was likely Bettman delivering the punch from his very cowardly distant office in NYC - picked himself off the mat and found a way to get himself back in the HNIC crew.

I know he accepted it because he did the work and didn't quit. That's accepting the new job, no? The rest of your post is pure speculation, and depends on the NHL being able to control Sportsnet/CBC decisions. It also subliminally suggests that Maclean is a bit of a backstabber.

[btimbit]

I didn't mind Strombo, aside from his clothes not fitting. But I prefer Ron 10 times out of 10.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Corral

How do you know he 'accepted' his demotion. I find it very hard to believe he accepted it in anyway. He took it on the chin - knowing it was likely Bettman delivering the punch from his very cowardly distant office in NYC - picked himself off the mat and found a way to get himself back in the HNIC crew.

I think insinuating that Bettman has any say, control or clout in regards to HNIC or Rogers operations at all is reaching, whats reaching even further is that hed spend any of that capital on Ron Maclean.

The so-called 'feud' between Bettman and Maclean is more fictional than anything else.

Bettman is a multimillionaire lawyer who heads a multi-billion dollar a year enterprise while Maclean reads poetry on local Canadian TV once a week and spends most of his days as the defacto handler of an Octogenarian with delusions of grandeur.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think insinuating that Bettman has any say, control or clout in regards to HNIC or Rogers operations at all is reaching, whats reaching even further is that hed spend any of that capital on Ron Maclean.

The so-called 'feud' between Bettman and Maclean is more fictional than anything else.

Bettman is a multimillionaire lawyer who heads a multi-billion dollar a year enterprise while Maclean reads poetry on local Canadian TV once a week and spends most of his days as the defacto handler of an Octogenarian with delusions of grandeur.

According to Dave Shoalts and James Bradshaw (Globe & Mail), you are incorrect:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle30533458/

"Before the switch could proceed, a source says, Rogers sought and received the approval of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who signalled during the Stanley Cup final he wouldn’t oppose the move."

[Zarley]

I think the whole Bettman vs. MacLean feud is way overblown. Gary is an absolute professional - I just can't buy the story of him ordering a television partner to demote a popular host due to alleged personal differences. The fact that Bettman went back to be interviewed by Ron every year suggests that it was more theatrics than anything.

[TheFlamesVan]

Seems like a lot of people might be misinterpretting what Ron MacLean does when he flexes his Canadian hockey knowledge muscle...

They make a point of highlighting minor hockey all over the country and have for as long as I've been around. It's pretty much the main theme.

He doesn't do it to 'show off'.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Zarley

I think the whole Bettman vs. MacLean feud is way overblown. Gary is an absolute professional - I just can't buy the story of him ordering a television partner to demote a popular host due to alleged personal differences. The fact that Bettman went back to be interviewed by Ron every year suggests that it was more theatrics than anything.

"Gary is an absolute professional." This is true as far as the owners go - they are the ONLY ones he actually cares about as they set, and pay, his salary.

On the other hand, Gary is something of an egomaniac, evidenced only by the manner in which he represents himself and his clients. I don't doubt in the least that he was the impetus to dump Ron MacLean. He was *pissed* during his conversations with MacLean during the lockout -- theatrics? I think not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4R-NC9Kjlw

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

According to Dave Shoalts and James Bradshaw (Globe & Mail), you are incorrect:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle30533458/

"Before the switch could proceed, a source says, Rogers sought and received the approval of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who signalled during the Stanley Cup final he wouldn’t oppose the move."

Article is more speculation than fact;

“There are very few surprises that are sprung on each other in that world. … So is it conceivable that [Rogers] conferred with the NHL? I think that happens sometimes.”

Found this part interesting;

Conversations with members of Rogers staff, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity, reveal there is concern that MacLean could once again wield the behind-the-scenes power over Hockey Night as many believed he did when the CBC produced the program.

So in a nutshell the most factual evidence in the entire story is that Rogers employees aren't a fan of MacLean becoming host.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

"Before the switch could proceed, a source says, Rogers sought and received the approval of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who signalled during the Stanley Cup final he wouldn’t oppose the move."

Why am I imagining Bettman sitting in an owner's box, eyes fixed on the game, while a couple Rogers executives plaintively ask his blessing for the restoration of Maclean. Bettman watches Letang break up a rush. Lifts a hand. The executives back out of the suite. It is done.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Zarley

I think you're in the minority. Even if they hate the guy, many people tune in just to watch him.

While I think he's lost a bit of his step in recent years, you have to admit that he's a fantastic television personality.

His routine is old and tired and never seems to change. He always has to mention the Bruins he coached when it comes to making comparisons of the game. Then there's the suits with the novelty of it becoming past it's best before date.

[Cube Inmate]

I prefer Strombolonialidocious, and that's a surprise even to myself. I think he's an annoying, left-wing, hipster doofus, but worked out amazingly well as a host. I loved the "guys having fun" dynamic that they brought to the table the last couple of years (has it been 2 years?), and I can't imagine Ron getting into that nearly the same way. He's old (a whole 13 years older than George!) and takes himself too seriously. It wasn't quite "appointment viewing" for me, but for the first time in a long time I actually enjoyed the between-periods, between-games segments.

[calgaryblood]

Finally SN does something right. Not claiming to be a hockey guru but when I'm watching a telecast and he sounds like one of my friends who doesn't know anything about the NHL I kind of had a hard time staying interested in whatever he had to say.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I'm so awesomely American and so not lamely Canadian anymore that despite being on a Calgary Flames based website with monthly, if not weekly discussion on the Rogers TV contract, that permeates into many other threads, I just don't know because I'm so not Canadian anymore. America, **** yeah!!

So much yes to this post. If you're on this site for any length of time, you'll know what's going on with broadcasts whether you want to or not.

I often wonder if life in Canada is so good that this is somehow the only pressing issue these days? Me on the other hand, I have to contend with terrorist gay club shootings and alligators eating children just a couple hours away.


These are the moments of comparison that make me miss living in Canada.

[FBI]

Agreed about the HNIC theme song. Bring that bad boy back, screw the bagpipes.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Article is more speculation than fact;



.

What you identify as a "fact" is really hearsay - its what others are saying about this - no facts here. Agreed this is all speculation for now. Assuming the story plays out ... the only facts we will really have in the end is that Maclean is back in his HNIC chair after being pushed out by someone (and we can just disagree on who that someone is).

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think insinuating that Bettman has any say, control or clout in regards to HNIC or Rogers operations at all is reaching, whats reaching even further is that hed spend any of that capital on Ron Maclean.

The so-called 'feud' between Bettman and Maclean is more fictional than anything else.

Bettman is a multimillionaire lawyer who heads a multi-billion dollar a year enterprise while Maclean reads poetry on local Canadian TV once a week and spends most of his days as the defacto handler of an Octogenarian with delusions of grandeur.

So what then? Bettman is above petty politics because he's rich? I can tell what you think of Maclean by your own insinuations in this post.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by FBI

Agreed about the HNIC theme song. Bring that bad boy back, screw the bagpipes.

Doesn't TSN own the rights to that song now. No way they amicably sell those rights back to Sportsnet. Sportsnet would have to pry it from their cold dead hands!

TORONTO – TSN has been largely shut out of the blockbuster deal on NHL hockey broadcast rights, but it says it’s hanging on to the “Hockey Night in Canada” theme.

The specialty sports TV channel says it has no plans to relinquish rights to the famous jingle, which it has been using to usher in its hockey broadcasts since 2008.

http://globalnews.ca/news/992233/tsn...da-theme-song/