[Rumour] Ron Maclean to replace George Stromboulopoulos on HNIC

[Finger Cookin]

This won't change how I view the between periods content. I might watch the occasional panel after the late Saturday game, as before. Otherwise I'll continue to ignore the content like usual.

[JiriHrdina]

I'm not a big fan of Maclean either.
Him returning to the show like this, seems very similar to me like when Jay Leno returned to the Tonight Show.
I don't think George was the right guy, but it is somewhat disappointing that they've just handed it back to Ron. Surely there was someone else out there that could have stepped in and brought something a little more fresh and different.
I admit my dislike for Ron might be primarily due for my more intense dislike of Don.

[calumniate]

Ron did a really weird thing last night, right before commercials at the end of the first period. Said something like 'gotta step it up, Ovie'. The inflection was almost mocking.. pretty funny though a bit unwarranted.

I like Ron but just hope he doesn't end up saying things that get him into trouble this year. Burrows happens to still be in the league

[undercoverbrother]

Put me in the dislike Ron camp.


Can't stand him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I'm not a big fan of Maclean either.
Him returning to the show like this, seems very similar to me like when Jay Leno returned to the Tonight Show.
I don't think George was the right guy, but it is somewhat disappointing that they've just handed it back to Ron. Surely there was someone else out there that could have stepped in and brought something a little more fresh and different.
I admit my dislike for Ron might be primarily due for my more intense dislike of Don.

I like Maclean a bit more when he used to spar with Cherry more often, as opposed to sucking up to him.

They should have given the job to Leah Hextall. Forever in my good books for the Oilers take last year.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

They should have given the job to Leah Hextall. Forever in my good books for the Oilers take last year.

They should have given the main hosting of HNIC job to someone who couldn't even cut it on a local broadcast?

Crazy.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Tyler

They should have given the main hosting of HNIC job to someone who couldn't even cut it on a local broadcast?

Crazy.

This is SN we are talking about. Leah Hextall was the best person on the entire SN Calgary channel. I think she'd do a great job hosting the panel.

[albertGQ]

Too bad they weren't able to pry Duthie from TSN. I wonder when his contract with Bell expires

[CliffFletcher]

When Maclean is genuinely listening to what other panelists are saying and prompting them with pointed questions, he's still quite good. But we rarely get that Maclean anymore. Mostly he's playing the tired role of the bard of all things traditional Canadian hockey.

[SportsJunky]

I've got all the time in the world for Ron. Not sure why but I could watch him forever. I like how he tells a story and I like how he interviews people. I know he's a little full of himself but he probably should be at this point in his career. He really is a part of our Canadian culture at this point.

I'm glad that he's back.

[Beatle17]

Put me in the camp that can't stand Ron MacLean. No matter what the other panelists say he tries to steer the conversation back to what he wants, should work for CNN. I wonder if he carries McDavid's equipment for him after the games.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

This is SN we are talking about. Leah Hextall was the best person on the entire SN Calgary channel. I think she'd do a great job hosting the panel.

If this were true, she would still be employed.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Tyler

If this were true, she would still be employed.

ESPN hired her. She must be terrible.

[polak]

Also in the down with Ron camp, he's to opinionated and flat.

George was more engaging and charismatic.

[Street Pharmacist]

Heard a bunch of old guys at the rink in Penticton talking about how happy they were that George with his skinny pants is gone. No one understood what he was talking about. Plus, Ron has only ever done sports, nothing else. George was clearly there just to collect a paycheck

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Tyler

If this were true, she would still be employed.

She had a job hours later.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Heard a bunch of old guys at the rink in Penticton talking about how happy they were that George with his skinny pants is gone. No one understood what he was talking about. Plus, Ron has only ever done sports, nothing else. George was clearly there just to collect a paycheck

I think this is the reason why George didn't work. I'm assuming the older crowd is mainly who still watches intermissions and George probably alienated that demo.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I used to really love Ron Maclean, but I just find him rather annoying at times now. I can't figure out if he changed, or I changed. Maybe if we vacation together, I will learn to love him again. Maybe only one of us returns.

In all seriousness, I mostly dislike Maclean and what he brings. Sometimes he is really good, most often he is not. George I found 'ok' mostly - him on the panel wasn't the greatest, and he definitely had some annoying moments, but George was a great interviewer.

I think SN screwed up. Had they brought George around slower - started him off with doing a lot of interviews and other special features - I think over the years he would be a good replacement for whomever was on the panel. I think he needed some grooming, and he needed people to see him as a guy 'in the hockey business' and not just a fan. I don't think he was quite ready for his role, and I don't think most people were ready for him.

Count me in as someone who was hoping there would be a new face on the panel, or just a face you already know, but hasn't been in that role. I can't think of who it could be, but I just know it isn't Ron Maclean.

[Northendzone]

is George still on his cross country motorcycle trip?

[GioforPM]

I was half joking about Leah Hextall. Half joking because it's obvious they wouldn't throw that position to someone of her experience. But I think she's really good and at least she doesn't drool over the Oilers. She has a pretty good NHL pedigree too.