Ron MacLean facing heavy criticism across the country after NHL preseason opening
The National Hockey League preseason has just gotten underway, and fans across the country have already begun criticizing heavily Ron MacLean, host of HNIC.
This past weekend, the NHL began their preseason matchups, with teams across the league taking to the ice. Both Saturday and Sunday were busy, filled with several entertaining matchups that had some fans excited for the upcoming season. Along with the on-ice action, though, was another discussion going on, one that didn't have to do with the on-ice players themselves but a long-time Canadian broadcaster instead.
The long-time host of 'Hockey Night in Canada', Ron MacLean, became the target of roasting on social media over the weekend. It doesn't matter that a number of people enjoyed the games; a portion of the online conversation was spent griping about MacLean remaining on the broadcast. Fans had an opinion loud and clear, as MacLean was trending across platforms, and boy did it get heated.
There was a backlash, as hundreds of fans weighed in on MacLean's place behind the NHL broadcast desk. Their various comments and posts were often 'liked' by great numbers, and they then joined a chorus of like-minded people. The fans not only joined in agreement but continued to add to the posts, echoing the negative criticism to continue the storyline.
It seems much of that unrest stems from the way MacLean handled the very public situation with his former 'Coach's Corner' partner, Don Cherry. When Cherry was infamously let go by Rogers Sportsnet, MacLean quickly stepped away from his longtime partner, a move many fans still don't take kindly to. The way things went down between MacLean and Cherry, furthered by some poor public decisions, like a maligned birthday post, has stuck with viewers.
Criticisms linked to Don Cherry aside, the volume and nature of comments betray an underlining frustration that is beyond that issue. It is open to debate whether Ron MacLean unfairly got the criticism or whether fans had legitimate grievances against him, but the controversy surrounding him continues to grow day by day in the hockey world.
| POLL | ||
23 SEPTEMBRE | 494 ANSWERS Ron MacLean facing heavy criticism across the country after NHL preseason opening Is it time for Ron MacLean to step down from Hockey Night in Canada? | ||
| Yes | 394 | 79.8 % |
| No | 100 | 20.2 % |
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