Has Ron MacLean Lost His Touch? Sportsnet Fans Are Furious and the Calls for His Exit Are Getting Louder

Is Ron’s period over?

 

UPDATE: Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has weighed in on the dismissal of Kelly Hrudey, his longtime buddy and colleague, who announced last night that Sportsnet had chosen not to renew his contract for the next season.

 

From Friedman’s social media today:

 

To learn more about Hrudey’s firing from Sportsnet, see our prior report below.

 

This summer, Sportsnet and its parent company Rogers are definitely experiencing a public relations roller coaster.

 

Once again, Sportsnet is being criticized for how it handles Kelly Hrudey, a long-time broadcaster, following recent reports of a price increase, reduced service, and the complete cancellation of a number of local radio stations.

 

For the first time since 1998, Hrudey will not be a part of Hockey Night in Canada or regional Calgary Flames broadcasts this coming season after announcing on social media last night that Sportsnet did not renew his contract.

 

Hrudey joined Sportsnet’s broadcast staff in 2014, but he began his career as an analyst for CBC immediately after leaving the game in the late 1990s. He has since become a fan favorite due to his insights, particularly regarding the goaltending position. He is currently unemployed for the forthcoming season, but he guaranteed supporters that he has no immediate intention of quitting. not on these terms, at least.

 

From Hrudey himself:

 

Just one question…

 

What’s keeping Jen Botterill and Ron MacLean employed if Hrudey is gone?

 

Even though I’m not Canada’s biggest Hrudey fan, I liked his analysis and found him to be incredibly insightful more often than not. Elliotte Friedman offers an insider’s view, and Kevin Bieksa is the undeniable star of the Sportsnet panel, but I cannot for the life of me understand what makes MacLean and/or Botterill so appealing.

 

MacLean’s time has passed. Although he formerly made a great foil for Don Cherry, he is now just a boring straight-man with no partner. Botterill is just as dry and perhaps twice as bland.

 

By nearly all estimates, fans are displeased with Hrudey’s ouster, and their reactions are now pouring in. Indeed, it appears that the bulk of fans agree with me and are calling for the firing of MacLean and Botterill on social media.

 

It will be interesting to see what other adjustments Sportsnet’s broadcast crew makes prior to the commencement of the 2026–27 NHL season. Keep an eye out.