MAJOR | Big changes reportedly coming to Hockey Night in Canada next season

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Cooper Godin
July 9, 2023 (12:12)

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Hockey Night in Canada has been a staple in households across the country for several decades now, but some major changes are reportedly on the horizon and it may be the end of Ron MacLean on the program.

According to Howard Berger, a source informed him that there will be big changes coming next season to Hockey Night in Canada and the only one to return will be insider Elliotte Friedman.

"We may not recognize the Hockey Night In Canada panel next season," the source told Berger. "Based on what I'm told, only Elliotte Friedman is safe from the changes and cost�cutting measures on the horizon."

If this is true, it'll mean Ron MacLean's time with Hockey Night in Canada is over. MacLean was hired by CBC ahead of the 1986-87 season and has been a big part of Saturday nights for Canadians ever since then. From his hiring until 2019, MacLean was apart of 'Coaches Corner' with Don Cherry, until the former Bruins coach was fired.

Along with MacLean, it appears that Kevin Bieksa, Kelly Hrudey and Jennifer Botterill's time with Hockey Night in Canada will be over as well, but that remains unconfirmed at this time.

Rogers' deal with Sportsnet is set to expire following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season and it's safe to say that it hasn't gone as the Canadian media giant had expected.

Source: Howard Berger