I’m hearing from several folks that Chris Therien and Steve Coates will essentially switch roles next season: Therien to TV, Coatsey back to radio. It’s unclear whether those respective roles will remain exactly the same – with Therien moving between the benches for TV and Coatsey up to the radio booth – but it sounds like that’s the plan right now.

Apparently this has been discussed for some time, perhaps as far back as this winter. Coatsey is a lovable figure, but elicits a mostly neutral reaction from fans with regard to his presence on the broadcast (I do enjoy him rolling his eyes at John Boruk, though). Therien, however, has been really good on the radio, with memorable outbursts about Sidney Crosby and, um, Pat Sajak. Having him between the benches, if that is in fact the plan, will make for some good TV.

We’ll let you know when this becomes official.