Rumor: Big Changes Coming to HNIC Panel

[Kimota]

I think a lot of that has to do with the continuous 24 hour news cycle and the fact that any breaking news or rumors are virtually instantaneous now thanks to social media.

I used to love Hot Stove with John Davidson, John Garrett and Co. because you'd get the latest news around the league and potentially juicy rumors about player movement. It was sort of a weekly catch-up on what was going on.

Now, by the time they talk about that stuff, I already know it and it's already been discussed by any number of online personalities, podcasters, commentator Twitter accounts, etc.

By the time the "insiders" are talking on TV, whether Sportsnet/CBC or TSN, there usually isn't a lot of revelation, but just a re-hashing of what we already know.

Maybe it's better for the casual fans, I don't know.

So what are you left with? Analysis of the game at hand, really. They need to come up with better segments around that.

One thing I did sort of like during the World Juniors was demonstrating the various drills that young hockey players perform these days, and their value in terms of play on the ice. What the kids are learning to do these days blows my mind in terms of advances in on-ice instruction and practice.

Maybe they should do some pre-made segments on tactical aspects of the game that the average fan might not know about, with decent production values and such.

I know that some people like the "fake football field" or "fake ice surface" with the personalities out there in their shoes holding a stick or whatever, but I always felt that those demos ended up looking cheesy.

We had it good with Hot Stove and CC.

 

[biturbo19]

Amber's seems a nice enough guy, but he's drier than unbuttered toast.

I thought they threw Strombo under the bus. He's a whiz at interviews. He might have been too much of a fan for the prime time show, but after hours? Hometown hockey? I think he'd have been perfect for that.

I don't see George going back though. He's got his CBC radio gig and seems happy to be doing that and Apple radio stuff.

Someone mentioned the idea that it might be part of Rogers deciding not to bid against CTV/TSN for the next contract? That's possible. I've viewed TSN's cuts over the last couple of years as a means of consolidating resources for a bid. I don't know what that would mean for CBC though. Would they bid for Saturday nights on their own, as they were before the merger with Rogers? Hard to say.

Interesting idea. But i think the reality is just...Rogers or Bell, cutting costs is just the way they do business these days. I don't think it's "saving up for" anything. It's just about putting even more dollars in the pockets of their top executives. The content is always evolving toward this end. What will put the most dollars in the pockets of executives for the least possible investment in the product?

The next Canadian TV deal is going to be fascinating. But probably in the same way a trainwreck draws attention. I'm genuinely wondering if it's not going to go back to being a split. Rogers have clearly overextended themselves to try to push everyone else out...and haven't entirely succeeded. TSN are still the "go to" for most peripheral hockey content because they've got the better talent.

I don't think think either of Rogers or Bell have the stomach to make another insane megadeal for exclusive rights after seeing how it's gone for Rogers. Both are going to want to keep their grubby fingers in the pie...but i'm not convinced either is going to see it as financially viable to do what Rogers tried.


Agreed on Strombo too. He's great. But i don't think he was ever the right "fit" for HNIC host, and i don't see any point in trying to run that back. It just isn't a role that plays to his strengths.


Anyway...if either of the networks bids legitimately kill Hockey Night in Canada, they should be executed publicly for sedition or something.

 

[Kimota]

Cherry was a dick for putting MacLean in that kind of situation in the first place. Cherry spend years with MacLean covering for his questionable comments. Good riddance.

What situation? All he asked was that people put flowers on.

 

[brentashton]

Keep Amber and Bieksa, I like Jen and even Kelly. I always liked Strombolopoulas and didn’t understand the problem with him. get rid of all the gambling ads so they can have longer to discuss the game (and not the Leafs even if they’re not playing)

Kelly sucks. Stop right there.

 

[Mattilaus]

What situation? All he asked was that people put flowers on.

Yes, that is the only thing he ever said for the entirety of his time on HNIC. You are right, my B.

 

[Evilsports]

Grapes is coming back!

 

[TheTotalPackage]

The time for Rogers to have made big changes to salvage the deal was 2-3 years ago. After two disastrous years of Strombo and gang, they've now gotten seven out of MacLean and the revolving door of people. Had they done this a couple years ago, they could have perhaps tried to make the best of the remainder of their deal.

At this point, it is highly unlikely, if these rumours come to be, are anything but self preservation and mitigating their losses. No point of trying to change the broadcasting landscape with three years left.

It'll probably be Amber as host, Friedman as the rumours guy, and likely Anthony Stewart as the one to be the former player who dissects the play. It'll be cheap and skimpy, and they'll just be riding this out.

 

[andora]

The time for Rogers to have made big changes to salvage the deal was 2-3 years ago. After two disastrous years of Strombo and gang, they've now gotten seven out of MacLean and the revolving door of people. Had they done this a couple years ago, they could have perhaps tried to make the best of the remainder of their deal.

At this point, it is highly unlikely, if these rumours come to be, are anything but self preservation and mitigating their losses. No point of trying to change the broadcasting landscape with three years left.

It'll probably be Amber as host, Friedman as the rumours guy, and likely Anthony Stewart as the one to be the former player who dissects the play. It'll be cheap and skimpy, and they'll just be riding this out.

Oh lord.. anthony stewart sucks

 

[Gunnersaurus Rex]

Bring in Subban and Roenick

Oh gawd no. Subban is awful.

 

[al secord]

Ya, that's all we need, the mouth breathing knuckle dragger and my cousin from Boston.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Oh gawd no. Subban is awful.

Everybody sucks. Just drop the panel and have Ken and Evanka run through highlights during the intermissions on weekdays. Faizal Khamisa and Martine Gaillard on weekends and be done with it. Nobody cares about the panel anyway.

 

[JianYang]

Everybody sucks. Just drop the panel and have Ken and Evanka run through highlights during the intermissions on weekdays. Faizal Khamisa and Martine Gaillard on weekends and be done with it. Nobody cares about the panel anyway.

Faizal needs to go on fashion probation, first.

 

[Hobble]

I’d be more interested in watching any panel if during Jets games intermissions they actually dissected the game at hand, instead of spending 80% of the time talking Leafs highlights from the early game.

 

[oil Leaks]

 

[NyQuil]

Howard Berger:

 

[Ianturnedbull]

WTF? But what about my disparaging remarks?

I can't win.

 

[ToDavid]

It’s shocking that anyone was taking Howard Berger seriously.

The guy hasn’t been a legitimate beat writer for over a decade.

 

[Oilslick941611]

What situation? All he asked was that people put flowers on.

Thats a very watered down take on the situation.

 

[brentashton]

Howard Berger:

View attachment 729547

Do his bosses at HNIC know this??!!

 

[Raistlin]

Hated Bieksa as a player, but as a commentator, he's gold. Best thing to happen to HNIC broadcast in decades.
Like Botteril as well, I hope she stays.
Fiedeman is meh but is okay in small doses.
Time for McLean and Hrudey to go.

Loved Bieksa as a rookie, as a player, as a commentator. he is what the sport is missing. his delivery and jabs are the way kids these days communicate. Botterill just knows her stuff is prepared and is someone accepted by hockey fans in general, a shining example for women broadcasters. Her harvard degree with honors helps in the corporation I suppose. Friedman is a dweeb yes, but well connected, his views coming from both agents, front offices and GM is hard to replace. these three are pretty core for that broadcast. the rest, I care little about. Maclean I actually dont hate, my grandad waxes poetic about him whenever he tells his stories, that is a big part of the cable watching demographic so he does have value.

 

[Hawkey]

If this is true Roger’s is making a bad situation worse. Bieksa provides a view that others on the panel can’t provide. Botterill is the female Captain Obvious. Friedman comes across as a dweeb. Maclean is the nostalgic part of the group so I don’t mind him.

 

[pomx]

Bieksa back as well

 

[sennysensen]

RIP Howard "Nothing" Berger's credibility. Not that he had much anyways.

 

[BudBundy]

Bieksa is excellent. Friedman is amongst the most connected guys in the league. Maybe the most. Botterill is fine, if a little too deferential. I don’t honestly care much for Hrudey. He’s alright but generally doesn’t add much, IMO. I wish Ray Ferraro was on that panel with Bieksa. That’d be excellent viewing! Ron McLean can get lost. I never have and never will forgive him for backstabbing Cherry and puking up the PC nonsense the CBC Politburo dictated. He contributes as much as a wet towel.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

I hear Glenn Healey is looking for a job.