It seems that Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada are making significant changes to their hockey coverage. After news came out that Ron MacLean would be joining the intermission show again – taking over for George Stroumboulopoulos – it’s expected that the outlet will be saying goodbye to Glenn Healy, according to David Shoalts.
In a series of tweets, Shoalts delivers the apparent bad news of a significant number of cuts by Rogers and their Hockey Night in Canada broadcast team.
Think I'm a bit late with this but ESPN press release about World Cup of Hockey crew reveals Leah Hextall one of the Rogers cuts.
— . (@dshoalts) June 27, 2016
Leah Hextall worked the Calgary Flames regional broadcasts for Sportsnet. But she landed the World Cup gig with ESPN.
— . (@dshoalts) June 27, 2016
Look for Rogers to be particularly merciless with cuts to the Sportsnet regional broadcast crews and the freelancers.
— . (@dshoalts) June 27, 2016
I'm told Hockey Night In Canada staffers who are still CBC employees will be spared worst of it. Rogers has to pay the CBC anyway for them.
— . (@dshoalts) June 27, 2016
Healy’s departure could mean a changing of the ways for future broadcasts. For example, Hockey Night in Canada could move away from the between-the-benches play-by-play and have an analyst take over down there instead.
While that will likely be discussed further leading up to the season, today’s announcement is looking at the personalities that won’t be back for the 2016-17 season.
Source says add Billy Jaffe, P.J. Stock, Chantel Desjardins, Corey Hirsch to list of departed. Ron MacLean's return official later today.
— . (@dshoalts) June 27, 2016
Ron MacLean will host early game on Hockey Night so he can remain with Don Cherry and Hometown Hockey. David Amber late game host.
— . (@dshoalts) June 27, 2016
While the tandem of MacLean and Cherry will bring back that old-time feel to Hockey Night in Canada, there will certainly be some notable faces missing when the NHL picks up for preseason in September.
That being said, there’s no word on any of the Sportsnet “originals” getting axed as of yet.