Grapes Tries To Pronounce "Jacoby Ellsbury"

((HT: HNIC/Timothy Burke's Vine))

And away we go...

Yep, Strombo Will Be Running Point For HNIC

((HT: Sportsnet))

The announcement was made today in Toronto and the landscape will be markedly different when "Hockey Night" moves its way from CBC to Rogers and the new generation of hockey broadcasting will be led by George Stroumboulopoulous...

Strombo, Ron MacLean, Don Cherry, Daren Millard, and Jeff Marek will be on the front lines...

Here's Scott Moore with the announcement

The short version:

Cherry and MacLean will still do "Coach's Corner" on Saturdays
MacLean will also host Hockey Day in Canada and Sunday’s new "Hometown Hockey Community Celebration"
Millard will host programming on Wednesday nights
Marek will host action on Thursdays, Friday Night Hockey and the Memorial Cup

And that's what C$5.3-billion will do...

Is Strombo The New Hockey Night Host...???

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie... yes...

His series of tweets...

If I'm not mistaken, I believe congrats may soon be in order for @strombo and @CoachesCornerCBC.

Lots of talk @strombo will this week be named primary face/host of the other guys' nat'l package.

And @CoachesCornerCBC is reportedly getting a new 2-yr deal. Sounds like Ron MacLean still involved but not as main man.

George Stroumboulopolous has been a host for MuchMusic, CBC, and CNN with some very stellar guests and conversations. So, if the big-time Habs fan gets the gig when Rogers takes the "Hockey Night" franchise next year for the next 12 years, it would be a huge coup for the network and the debut presentation.

An example:
((HT: CBC))


And this one...


According to The Score up north, the set-up is this...

"Hockey Night in Canada" will continue to air Saturday nights on CBC through a sub-licensing agreement Rogers made with the public broadcaster, although Rogers will retain editorial control.

Duncan Keith Fails At Punking Female Reporter (UPDATE: Don Cherry Apparently Agrees)

((HT: Team 1040/Sportsnet))

Okay... the set-up...

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith is one of the better players at his position in the National Hockey League...
Last night, he got burned on a Sedin goal, and tried to chop him down after the fact...

Paul Bunyan woulda been proud...
Karen Thompson of Team 1040 was asking questions in the visitor's locker room after the game- specifically, on that play... Let's just say that he went all ass-jacket on Thompson... The transcription: “Oh no, I don’t think there was (a penalty),” Keith said. “I think he scored a nice goal. The ref was right there. That’s what the ref saw. We should get you as ref, maybe, hey? First female referee… can’t play probably either, right? But you’re thinking the game like you know it? OK, see ya.” Thompson held her own and Keith showed his true colors... Genius at work... SUNDAY UPDATE: Don Cherry, on his "Coach's Corner" segment, took Keith's side in the argument... Here's the response by Grapes, at the 2:25 mark... ((HT: CBC/NHL/Fred Murtz))
Look...

The HQ gets that Cherry is a cartoon character, and may or may not believe half of what comes out of his mouth because of his brand and what it consists of these days. He's passionate, nationalistic, and a joy to watch when he gets riled up- especially on topics that concern growth of the game and safety of the game.

But, we've been in more locker rooms than he has... and players today are not players in the era in which he coached. They actually will dress in separate areas, and will even wear towels, shield themselves, and make sure that decorum exists.

The ages aren't really that Dark, Don... some people just don't turn the light on...

Grapes Has Wrath For Brian Burke

((HT: CBC Sports/youtube))

Don Cherry was not pleased with Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke and the way he handled the firing of former head coach Ron Wilson...

Evidence below...


Cherry thinks Burke is some kind of Ontario-phobe...
And "Some kind" of Ontario-phobe...

And the HQ doesn't think he is done roasting him- there's still some regular season left... especially, since they may circle the drain with the playoffs...

Again...

Grapes Waits Until Night One To Speak His Peace

He put Brendan Shanahan in his cross-hairs maintaining that the sport is now a sport that has people who won't hit one another for fear of repercussion...

And, he calls out three former enforcers who claim their current behavior is a direct result of their hockey occupation...
((HT: NHL/Hockey Night in Canada/youtube))


So much for easing into the season...