Sportsnet added Frank Seravalli as a contributor and picked up his "Frankly Hockey" show, and the move landed in the middle of a heated online debate.
The Toronto Star framed the backlash plainly: with tensions between Canada and the United States, and Canadian media jobs disappearing "while two Americans arrive," the move was always going to draw attention.
Some fans and media watchers made exactly that argument. With newsrooms shrinking, they see a Canadian network bringing in American voices as a tough look.
Seravalli's defenders pushed back. One response called the criticism "so stupid," noting he's "had little but great things to say about Canada" over the years.
The same post described him as "an outstanding reporter, and fearless about speaking his mind."
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That reputation is built on news. This week alone, he predicted Connor Hellebuyck could sit out his age-33 season and reported the Red Wings and Simon Edvinsson aren't particularly close on a deal.
Frank Seravalli brings scoops Sportsnet viewers will notice fast
He also reported Toronto asked San Jose for all of its first-round picks in a Matthew Knies trade. That's the kind of detail fans chase every morning.
For Sportsnet, the bet is simple. Insider reporting drives clicks, debates and TV segments, and Seravalli delivers plenty of all three.
The job-loss concern is real, though. Canadian media workers watching colleagues leave aren't wrong to ask who gets the next opportunity.
It's still a good hire. Hockey coverage gets better when a network adds a reporter who breaks news, and viewers ultimately care about who gets the story right.
It's like a fan refusing to cheer for a free-agent signing because of his hometown. The goals count the same either way.
The noise will fade once the scoops start landing on Canadian screens. If they don't, the critics will get the last word.
Was Sportsnet right to bring in Frank Seravalli?
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