[Rumour] Ron Maclean to replace George Stromboulopoulos on HNIC

[JiriHrdina]

The thing is, I would argue MLB, NBA and NFL all do a great job of still honoring the past, but using it as a means to promote the now.
History is tremendously important to the NFL and MLB - and if you want to get more of that, they provide easy ways to do so. NFL Archives is fantastic.
But it never gets in the way, or undermines the current product.
NHL fans constantly long for the game of years past, because the league and broadcast partners seems to promote the concept that it was "better".

The NBA is really interesting, because a lot of their history is even less known. Television coverage was sporadic and broader media coverage wasn't great at times. But the league has some awesome stories and characters from their past - but again - they don't make that the lead story. It is supplemental and a way for fans to go deeper if they want.

[polak]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I've heard enough about the '72 series, the New Year's Even game between Canada and Russian, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Mario.

It's like they don't realize that it's really hard for people to connect to games and history that they weren't alive for when it's something as trivial as sports.

There are people in their 40's that weren't even alive for those summit series for christ sakes, yet they talk about stuff from that era constantly. They need to realize that hockey history isn't going to convince anyone to watch the intermission. A technical analysis by smart, knowledgeable people directed by a charismatic interviewer that realizes no one wants to hear him talk on the other hand.....

Maybe they've given up on the under 50 crowd since they don't watch intermissions? Sure as hell doesn't seem like they're trying to get anyone else to watch.

[nik-]

Their only regular coaching "expert" hasn't coached in 40 years and is pretty much the epitome of the caveman old school hockey mentality. It's pretty funny.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I agree with EE. TSN has done a tremendous job with their CFL coverage - with a panel that provides the right balance of deep insights, humor and other elements.
The problem I have with the HNIC approach to hockey, which RSN is now embracing, is the lack of balance. They don't go deep enough. They focus too much on the past, and even within that, it is too narrow.

I've heard enough about the '72 series, the New Year's Even game between Canada and Russian, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Mario.

There are a ton of other great stories, players and games from the past that are never re-visited because they just talk about the same dozen or more things over and over and over again.

Totally agreed. I am considered an older poster but I never saw Henderson or Orr play yet for most of my life I've been constantly reminded about their heroics and while I have nothing against reliving a little history it's got to the point where it starts becoming background noise. The 1987 Canada Cup was great at the time but half of today's viewers don't even know what the tournament was and can't relate to the Canada vs Russia theme so showing Lemieux's goal over and over isn't going to attract new fans that want to learn about today's stars.

The NFL and NBA are really good at selling their current stars and you will never see any NFL or NBA telecast start out showing highlights from 20 years ago of Dr. J or Dan Marino because that doesn't resonate with younger fans and it's not going to sell Tom Brady or LeBron James jerseys. This story of the game crap simply illustrates how out of touch RSN is.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by polak

They need to realize that hockey history isn't going to convince anyone to watch the intermission. A technical analysis by smart, knowledgeable people directed by a charismatic interviewer that realizes no one wants to hear him talk on the other hand.....

Maybe they've given up on the under 50 crowd since they don't watch intermissions? Sure as hell doesn't seem like they're trying to get anyone else to watch.

Andi Petrillo would have helped. Too many old white guys on the HNIC intermission panels.

[curves2000]

I just emailed Scott Moore and one VP Rob Corte about the changes. One of the thing's that drove me nuts when Rogers took over was that the panel discussions and most of the features weren't available on the website. It was mostly Ron & Don and the odd clip here and there.

CBC had dedicated clips for all the HNIC broadcast. Coaches corner, Hot Stove Lounge, post game chat, After Hours etc.

Hopefully the changes as a whole are postitive for all the viewers.

[Northendzone]

I really miss the hot stove. More Eric d please!!!

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

James Duthie is the name that constantly comes up as the right type of guy.

But I think TSN has done everything to keep him there.
But surely there is someone else like James Duthie out there.

I also really like Kate Berness on TSN and think she could do the job. Knows her stuff, is naturally funny, and very quick on her feat and sharp.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

James Duthie is the guy and instead of paying $$$ to Ron and Don they should have opened the check book to bring him in. It's possible Duthie wanted to stay at TSN but the opportunity to host HNIC would have had to be pretty enticing if he was being highly compensated. That said after RSN dropped Strombo out of panic you can understand why anyone in a comfortable gig would be hesitant about joining them.

I am trying to find the links that Rogers did go after James Duthie once Sportsnet acquired the entire national contract. It was Duthie who always declined strong offers and did not want TSN to get into a bidding war. He is very loyal to TSN.

Beirness has terrible diction, her colleague, Natasha Staniszewski would be better suited for the host job.

[curves2000]

Originally Posted by hwy19man

I am trying to find the links that Rogers did go after James Duthie once Sportsnet acquired the entire national contract. It was Duthie who always declined strong offers and did not want TSN to get into a bidding war. He is very loyal to TSN.

Beirness has terrible diction, her colleague, Natasha Staniszewski would be better suited for the host job.

I found this link to what you were referring to. I also read it and I also concur that Natasha Staniszewski would be good in the role described. She is also drop dead gorgeous in the looks department as well and her on-air demeanour and passion for sports is top notch.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle15943322/

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

The thing that bugs me the most about NHL hockey broadcasts has always been their complete lack of explaining things on the technical side.

The broadcasters might say something like the LA Kings play a defensive style, but they never breakdown what that actually means. Do they play man on man in the D-zone, Box +1, overload, etc.

I think a lot of even hardcore fans don't really have a good idea about systems like Box+1 and that's a shame. It's paid attention to so little that its even difficult to find good explanations on the internet about hockey systems and tactics.

It'd be nice if they had coaches on the show that have coached in this century, to explain the current hockey hockey strategies and systems more thoroughly.

Hrudey used to provide this kind of analysis on the panel but no longer. I honestly believe they told him to simplify his analysis because even towards the ends of his days as a panelist only, as opposed to Flames colour guy, he really stopped doing a lot of the in depth stuff that we all liked him for when he first started.

[dustygoon]

Different perspective, but for someone no longer living in Canada, the more traditional the broadcast the better. I really like that nostalgic feel. Don is a loose cannon, Ron is irritating, and the broadcast is a little tired. But for someone who misses Canada, i can't wait to see familiar faces on a familiar set on saturday night. I even like after hours.

[kevman]

Now that Hockey Night in Canada has started are we going to stop hearing Ron Maclean's monologue? Sorry Ron, there is more to tell the world about Canada than hockey.

*I know that might be an unpopular opinion on a hockey fan forum...

[McG]

well i'm sick of the connor McDavid commercial for "hometown hockey"; so poorly done they are still showing jack eichel on it.

and i'm sick of the "Saturday is special" commercials. doesn't the crtc limit replays? (heh)

I fear that we will get more ron maclean due to higher ratings when, in fact, auston Matthews should get all the credit. to be honest, I don't need more ron, auston, or connor!

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by McG

Wow. Only Rogers. Every other sport on the planet, and especially Football/Soccer (arguably one of the most staid sports going), are embracing the technology that is available.

Distance travelled? Passes attempted/completed? Possession? Speed? Heat Charts? Areas of ice a certain player is in? Formations? These are the gee whiz moments that bring in casual fans, and the sport and actual game play will be what keeps them there. You may not see these things when you first watch a game/match, but having it shown to you, as in why something happened or worked, helps the casual viewer understand the subtleties of the game more, and that changes casual views into scheduled views.

I am also tired of surface "stories"; yes, all very interesting the things that players and parents sacrifice to get there. What I want to know is what they do that makes them so special; what is it that they do on or off the ice that makes them better than their peers.

As someone else posted, hearing "that is the same number that Billy Smith wore in the battle of South Yonge Street when he played with Jimmy Jones (who wore the exact double number as Billy when he earlier scored exactly double the number of goals), when they were playing on his local outdoor rink where Billy's uncle had put a penny at centre ice where Jimmy's mom was in the Community Association, and his dad actually built the boards from the leftovers of Billy's grandfather's fence. BTW, I'll be there next Sunday for Hometown Hockey with a bunch of players who once played a game for the Leafs."

Strombo always seemed at his best in the "couches" segment, where he could just talk to the analysts and get their thoughts away from telestraters etc.

The minute I read this, I realized Ron McLean is hockey's version of Cliff Claven.

[PeteMoss]

Disagree that bringing back MacLean is some kind of call back to old school hockey and appealing to old people.

Strombo was too spastic in the role. They tried to go for the TNT NBA type panel but had no one entertaining or with the charisma of a Charles Barkley or even a Shaq. If you don't have those guys - it is just grating. So unless you can find that guy (Don Cherry is the closest they have but he's old and stuck in his role - you can hate him, but he has charisma and people re-act to him), might as well just go bland so people don't change the channel.

[Corral]

I didn't realize Rogers was also going to reinstate After Hours with Scott Oake ... I give them (Rogers) credit for acknowledging they made a mistake with the whole HNIC production. The panelists must be overjoyed not having to stay on camera until 2am EST.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am not even sure who should be brought in as a host. Duthie would be good, but it isn't going to happen. So what do you do?

Start looking now. Bring that person on to do special segments. Every year, give that person a bit more air-time and let people feel comfortable with him/her. Let the people start liking that person. Then bring that person as a panelist maybe?

I have absolutely no idea who I think would be a good candidate, but I am sure that there are many out there. Just bring that along slowly this time.

[the_only_turek_fan]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle32350559/

Ron needs to stop doing these interviews. He is coming off as this pompous ass that thinks he is the most important person in Canadian public life.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am not even sure who should be brought in as a host. Duthie would be good, but it isn't going to happen. So what do you do?

Start looking now. Bring that person on to do special segments. Every year, give that person a bit more air-time and let people feel comfortable with him/her. Let the people start liking that person. Then bring that person as a panelist maybe?

I have absolutely no idea who I think would be a good candidate, but I am sure that there are many out there. Just bring that along slowly this time.

Its going to be David amber

Sounds like he's going to get all or some of the West coast games now too

[McG]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle32350559/

Ron needs to stop doing these interviews. He is coming off as this pompous ass that thinks he is the most important person in Canadian public life.

Thanks for the article. I think that one of my personal challenges is that on Sunday hometown hockey, the games are blamed for the poor ratings; poor timing, teams that are playing, other sports conflicting etc. MacLean is the host. But when it comes to Saturday nights, poor ratings come from teams not playing well but it is the host and not the actual games that are the problem. So which is it?

One thing that bothered me is this assumption that people tune in to watch the host, when in fact they tune in to watch the game. It isn't hockey between the hosts. As big bobby clobber used to say, "sports between the beer commercials" isn't what we are after here.

On David Amber, I'm changing my views. awkward stuff whenever I see him on Olympic coverage or other stuff. His chemistry with andi petrillo wasn't very good. I'm changing though. I thought he was really good for 90% of his time on air last night. I was surprised and pleased for him because I thought he looked like he is much more natural doing hockey. I look forward to seeing him develop because obvies he has the skills, perhaps just needs the time? In any event, if David Amber continues as he did last night, I think he will be poised to step in.

2 thumbs up for Natasha from TSN or Kara waglund from TSN.