My casting call to replace Randy Tieman on TSN 690

With the NHL's abbreviated season set to begin on January 19, TSN 690 has a big decision to make. Who will replace Randy Tieman as co-host of the Intermission weekdays from Noon to 1 p.m. and as host of what was called the Tieman Show from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Tieman left his post in late December after several years of basically pulling a double shift. Not only does he live just past the Quebec border in Ontario, he also works full-time for CTV News. It was only a matter of time before he would drop one of them and you just know it would not be the marquee CTV gig.

I already miss Tieman's chemistry with Tony Marinaro, his easy going banter with callers and of course his long list of contacts who would come on the air live with him.

Who is in line to replace him? Here is my crack at program director:

-Simon Tsalikis has been a pretty regular substitute for Tieman and might finally get a full-time gig.

-Connor McKenna is one talented jock talk host. But does he want to be a regular?

-Five Shaun Starr his own show and replace him in the mornings with Robin Flynn, who has shown promise in her part-time role.

-How about two females who really know their sports? Jessica Rusnak and Amanda Stein are already in house.

Bobby Dollas

-Former NHLer Bobby Dollas is no longer the colour commentator for Habs radio broadcasts. He is a Montreal boy who knows his sports, very articulate and well connected. I would love to see him get his own show.

-Would Andie Bennett, currently doing a great job on CBC Radio and TV, come back to the station which launched her career?

-Rod Francis, in my opinion, is ready to step in and host his own show. Opinionated and a man with a good sense of humour, this would not be a bad choice.

-Paul Graif does weekend sports for CTV Montreal and currently does the morning news and sports at K103 FM. A veteran reporter who knows his stuff;

-Randy Phillips retired from The Montreal Gazette Sports Department last summer. Perhaps he is ready to get back in the game?

Randy Phillips

-Would Warren Cromartie move back here full-time if they gave him his own show?

-Dave Kaufman, Matthew Ross and  Sean Campbell each deserve consideration. 

-Joey Elias hosts the Comedy Show on CJAD, but this man knows his sports. And laughs this man delivers.

-Regular caller Jerry from Rosemount would be a star. But Jerry is a senior with a visual impairment whose greatest joy in life is calling Marinaro.