Media Thread

[Michael]

I'm not a Simmons defender by any means, in fact i can't stand the guy, but he didn't actually say Cherry was fired.  He basically said they hadn't officially renewed coaches corner and because Cherry makes alot they might consider not bringing him back given the other cuts Rogers has been making (I.e. McCowan and McLean)

I am not a Simmons fan either, but he is not the problem here. If Cherry has not been renewed then why has Rogers not said a word? This story has had legs since the middle of last week and all Rogers has to do is say a word and it is shot down.

The fact that they have said nothing tells me that it might finally (mercifully) be true that Cherry is off HNIC.

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm not a Simmons defender by any means, in fact i can't stand the guy, but he didn't actually say Cherry was fired.  He basically said they hadn't officially renewed coaches corner and because Cherry makes alot they might consider not bringing him back given the other cuts Rogers has been making (I.e. McCowan and McLean)

A "journalist" would have reached out to Cherry or CBC for comment though before writing something like that. But Steve's a "columnist" so none of those integrity standards apply to him.

[Rob]

Sure Rogers may have told Don verbally that he would be back, but in reality Rogers have other plans. 

[CarltonTheBear]

I was always sceptical about the claim because regardless of his salary there was just no way Rogers was going to unceremoniously let him go. He's not Doug McLean, who was likely not renewed because he doesn't bring anything to the show and Burke's essentially replaced him as the former GM, not because of salary reasons. And while McCowan was huge in the radio world I'd venture a guess that a tiny fraction of Canadians know who he is as opposed to Don Cherry who pretty much every Canadian knows. They'll give him a final "retirement" season (that may not include weekly appearances anymore) for his swan song.

[Michael]

They'll give him a final "retirement" season (that may not include weekly appearances anymore) for his swan song.

You mean the opposite of what happened to Bob McCown? Bob is also a huge name and has been a staple of Sports Talk radio in Canada for 30 nearly 30 years and he was not given any send-off at all. He foumd out and then 2 or 3 days later he signed off for the last time.

[CarltonTheBear]

They'll give him a final "retirement" season (that may not include weekly appearances anymore) for his swan song.

You mean the opposite of what happened to Bob McCown? Bob is also a huge name and has been a staple of Sports Talk radio in Canada for 30 nearly 30 years and he was not given any send-off at all. He foumd out and then 2 or 3 days later he signed off for the last time.

I mean like I said in the sentence right before that, McCown might be a massive name in radio but in terms of all-around audience and appeal to Canadians they aren't even in the same solar system.

[Nik]

I wonder if the thing is that Rogers may "want" to bring him back but only if he comes back for a significantly reduced salary. For someone like McCown, that may have been worthless to him as he's already probably made enough to comfortably retire on.

Cherry though seems to really enjoy the spotlight so maybe he's willing to come back and the lack of any sort of announcement has to do with just some end stage negotiations.

[hap_leaf]

They'll give him a final "retirement" season (that may not include weekly appearances anymore) for his swan song.

You mean the opposite of what happened to Bob McCown? Bob is also a huge name and has been a staple of Sports Talk radio in Canada for 30 nearly 30 years and he was not given any send-off at all. He foumd out and then 2 or 3 days later he signed off for the last time.

At McCown's request, there will be no fanfare or tributes during his final shows, Sportsnet said.

[Significantly Insignificant]

In that same article by Simmons, there was a piece about Matthews making a request that Nylander be on his line instead of Kapanen.  Think there is any truth to that?

[Guilt Trip]

They'll give him a final "retirement" season (that may not include weekly appearances anymore) for his swan song.

You mean the opposite of what happened to Bob McCown? Bob is also a huge name and has been a staple of Sports Talk radio in Canada for 30 nearly 30 years and he was not given any send-off at all. He foumd out and then 2 or 3 days later he signed off for the last time.

I mean like I said in the sentence right before that, McCown might be a massive name in radio but in terms of all-around audience and appeal to Canadians they aren't even in the same solar system.

True. Love him or hate him, Cherry is huge.

[bustaheims]

In that same article by Simmons, there was a piece about Matthews making a request that Nylander be on his line instead of Kapanen.  Think there is any truth to that?

Considering the source? I'd be skeptical.

[CarltonTheBear]

In that same article by Simmons, there was a piece about Matthews making a request that Nylander be on his line instead of Kapanen.  Think there is any truth to that?

Considering the source? I'd be skeptical.

I don't buy it from Simmons, but even if it's true I wouldn't fault Matthews for doing it.

[Chris]

I'm sure Matthews would prefer to play with Nylander versus Kapanen - who wouldn't? For all his speed, Kapanen is nowhere near the passer or playmaker that Nylander is.

However, I doubt Matthews ever told Simmons that. He's just stating something that is obvious to anyone who has watched the Leafs.

[Nik]

To be fair if it's true that doesn't mean it would have to be Matthew's who would have told it to Simmons.

[lamajama]

I would hope Willie isn't going to be a $6.9 mil 3rd liner so that leaves Kapi on the 3rd..