Rumor: Sportsnet has laid off one of its biggest insiders

According to several unverified reports circulating on social media, Canadian sports broadcasting giant Sportsnet is parting ways with longtime host, analyst and insider Jeff Marek.

Marek has co-hosted the enormously popular '32 Thoughts' podcast with Elliotte Friedman for years now and has evolved into one of the game's most connected insiders in recent seasons.

Some scuttlebutt on the situation from Twitter:

Marek hasn't been seen or heard from since the NHL Entry Draft last month. He hasn't hosted his daily 'Jeff Marek Show' radio broadcast on Sportsnet 590 The Fan and hasn't been active on social media since June. 

Again, these are unverified reports but it's worth noting that it's very unusual for Marek to 'go dark' for this long. He's a very connected insider who has a history of weighing in on all the NHL's offseason news.

Stay tuned for official confirmation of Marek's status with Sportsnet.