Rumor: Big Changes Coming to HNIC Panel

[Church Hill]

The standard for entertaining conversations has been raised so much higher than what HNIC can offer. You can list a thousand podcasts with livelier hosts and more interesting interviews than the dry, boring, pre-chewed-thoughts of HNIC.

 

[digmor crusher]

Wouldn't be surprised if TSN picked up Ron in a hypothetical HNIC to TSN move. People are badly underestimating his national appeal to an older demographic who still consumes hockey on cable in a more casual fashion. That's a big big demographic right there. You can commission as many focus groups as you like, Ron off HNIC = national outrage in Canada. Guaranteed. Not how you want to start some new monster national rights deal. If you don't believe me, ask Rogers.

Yup, cable, 4k and on my 65 inch set. Why would anyone watch sports anyone other way? And don't get me started on people who watch on a phone.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Why not some nice blonde eye candy?

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Ron Maclean is a national treasure no one has a better presence on camera, unfortunately he has very little talent on his panel now and is not played to his strengths.

Plus the production on Rogers is a little sub par compared to what was on CBC

 

[NyQuil]

Why not some nice blonde eye candy?

 

[Squiffy]

It’s nostalgia, yes. He’s a worn down comfy sweater you throw on every Saturday in winter to watch hockey.

 

[Dicky113]

Thanks for this.

I feel like

Ron Maclean is a national treasure no one has a better presence on camera, unfortunately he has very little talent on his panel now and is not played to his strengths.

Plus the production on Rogers is a little sub par compared to what was on CB

Ron Maclean is a national treasure no one has a better presence on camera, unfortunately he has very little talent on his panel now and is not played to his strengths.

Plus the production on Rogers is a little sub par compared to what was on CBC

Thank you for this. I feel like many people on here (I assume the very young or non Canadian contingent) don’t realize how much Ron McLean has mean to hockey and HNIC in particular. I get it, he’s old, he didn’t “stick up” for Don, etc, but this guy is a legend and if he’s really gone we need to recognize and appreciate what he meant to the game. I had the absolute privilege to meat him once and can only say he is and was a gentleman. I wish him the best and I hope recency bias doesn’t diminish what he has meant to many of us.

 

[Sports2]

Who then will be in charge?

 

[deleted user]

Bieksa was the only one worth listening to, imo. Definitely enjoyed hearing his insights. He's perfectly suited for that role.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

Bieksa was great but I could understand why they might want to get away from the stereotype of a pro hockey player being true with him. Haha. He's a dbag

I'm guessing pk a woman and a coach plus Elliot. Not sure which coach.. who is entertaining and lives in Ontario or Alberta

 

[robertocarlos]

Thawing out a couple of frozen Neanderthals and teaching them to play D might help a few teams win the Cup.

 

[RestlessYoungZero]

Was it confirmed that Bieska is off of HNIC??

 

[Kimota]

I suggest Cherry, Milbury and Burke.

There Vill B Blooood

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Fox and ESPN have no issue hiring Gretzky, Subban, Lundqvist, Emrick, Jones.

HNIC should have reached out to Subban as soon as he announced his retirement. Especially since he's such an icon in Canada. CBC really missed out here.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I suggest Cherry, Milbury and Burke.

There Vill B Blooood

I suggest they go and have their own conversations within themselves in the retirement home. No interest in what they have to say about anything.

 

[JianYang]

Was it confirmed that Bieska is off of HNIC??

In July, bieksa said he would be back , and I haven't found anything disputing that.

Maybe the ones who resurrected this thread thought it was a done deal after going through the opening page.

 

[bert]

In July, bieksa said he would be back , and I haven't found anything disputing that.

Maybe the ones who resurrected this thread thought it was a done deal after going through the opening page.

If he is gone there is literally no reason to watch at all. He along with Friedman were the only ones that offered anything anymore. Botterill is nails on a chalk board, and its time for Mclean to retire.

 

[BostonBob]

HNIC should have reached out to Subban as soon as he announced his retirement. Especially since he's such an icon in Canada. CBC really missed out here.

Icon ?????

 

[PROUD PAPA]

I suggest Cherry, Milbury and Burke.

There Vill B Blooood

If there vill b blooood you better add Count Laviolette.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Icon ?????

Subban is instantly recognized anywhere he goes in Canada. He's pretty much a celebrity especially in Montreal.

 

[BostonBob]

Subban is instantly recognized anywhere he goes in Canada. He's pretty much a celebrity especially in Montreal.

Huge difference between being a recognizable celebrity and being an icon.

 

[Kimota]

I suggest they go and have their own conversations within themselves in the retirement home. No interest in what they have to say about anything.

You had to spoil the fun.

 

[Bowski]

HNIC should have reached out to Subban as soon as he announced his retirement. Especially since he's such an icon in Canada. CBC really missed out here.

More cringe "humor" than Ron McLean already provides?

 

[DEANYOUNGBLOOD17]

Ron Maclean is a national treasure no one has a better presence on camera, unfortunately he has very little talent on his panel now and is not played to his strengths.

Plus the production on Rogers is a little sub par compared to what was on CBC

Ron Maclean ….owes his entire Career to Don Cherry and would have been tossed on a garbage heap long ago if he didn’t grab on to Don Cherrys coat tails and hang on for dear life.

Ron Mclean through Don Cherry under the bus countless of times being a kiss ass to the Corp and management.

He is the poster boy of someone who strives to be Politically correct at all times/ even at the expense of his own Character morals / loyalty and general common sense.

Should have a super imposed picture of a cock roach in place of his head in Ron mcleans. Powder baby blue hockey night in Canada sports jacket when he’s on the Panel.

Bieska is a former tough guy … that now takes his questions and Marching orders on the panel from to 2 retired goalies and old man mcClean who has no backbone of fortitude.

 

[Debrincat93]

Fox and ESPN have no issue hiring Gretzky, Subban, Lundqvist, Emrick, Jones.

HNIC should have reached out to Subban as soon as he announced his retirement. Especially since he's such an icon in Canada. CBC really missed out here.

ill gladly be in the minority but PK is horrendous. Its too much and its that "trying too hard" energy.