Sportsnet is all but confirming there will be no one replacing Don Cherry on Coach's Corner. In an interview with the Canadian Press, Sportsnet communications director Andrew Garas said several different options for new formatting are being explored.
“We're taking the time to explore new formats for the first intermission,” said Garas in an email, while confirming tonight's Hockey Night in Canada, the first since Cherry was fired, will highlight the 2019 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees in Coach's Corner's regular slot. The induction ceremony is Monday.
There were some rumours swirling that Sportsnet would try to find a replacement for Coach's Corner, or a similar segment with a different name. Bodog, a online sports-betting website, was actually giving odds for a replacement, with former hockey executive and current Sportsnet analyst Brian Burke listed as the early favourite (+125). Odds were also being given on broadcasters Elliotte Friedman (+175), Colby Armstrong (+650), Craig Simpson (+650), Kelly Hrudey (+650) and Chris Johnston (+900).
Cherry's former co-host, Ron MacLean, confirmed he would be addressing the situation on Hockey Night in Canada tonight, and denied reports that he would be leaving the show. MacLean issued a public apology after Cherry was fired for his comments on immigrants and poppies, one that Cherry called disappointing and claimed to have buried him.
Source: National Post
