NHL Season 08-09

[Izzy]

I really hate watching national broadcasts of any sort of sporting event. I always try to stick with local broadcasts where...you know...they actually ANNOUNCE the game instead of fucking talking about random shit for 3 minutes instead of doing play-by-play like they should be.

"Back in 2002, Crosby was walking down the street to get some fresh salami when he saw this new hockey stick on the side of the street. He said to himself, 'I have to have that stick.' Oh, Penguins just scored. Anyways, back to the story about Crosby and his new hockey stick."

[Norelco]

I don't want the series to end I'm having way too much fun watching them beat the hell out of each other. I also can't say the writers are on Crosby/Malkin's nuts. All season long they have written negative shit about Crosby. Now the playoffs are on and they are writing positive shit. Pick a fucking stance and stay with it.

I don't know much about writers, but the Versus and NBC crew is definitely on his nuts.

I remember a Sabres game where Thomas Vanek had a beautiful goal and all they could talk about was how Crosby had this dipsy doodle move that ended in nothing happening. It was some stupid play where he followed the puck over the blue line and batted it of the air with his stick to gain control of it, and Versus or NBC must have shown this replay like 7 or 8 times while Vanek was having a much better game than Crosby.

[Brill Weave]

Honestly, if you ask any Pittsburgh fan they will tell you flat out they hate Versus. Versus is a fucking trainwreck of a broadcast. Half the time they don't know what they are talking about and they just drone on and on. Fuck Versus. Now NBC on the other hand, I can understand why they are doing it. They do it to Ovechkin when he's on NBC as well. They are trying to raise the exposure of the game itself. But they are going about it the wrong way.

I mean, I can understand attempting to emphasize that these young players are the amazingly bright future of the NHL. But when you're taking the commentary to the point where it detracts from the game being played, it needs to be cut down.

Yes, we know Crosby, Malkin, and Ovechkin are amazing players. No, we do not need to hear it repeated every single time they step on the ice for their shifts. This is why I prefer our local broadcasts. The guys doing it have been watching Sid and Geno since they came into the league. They understand there's nothing they can say that we haven't come to the conclusion ourselves. NBC, sadly, hasn't reached that place yet.

[Arnwulf]

Yeah, I understand marketing the young stars, but I think at this point the game would better be served with an exciting play by play commentary, and save the jabbering for when there is a replay to show. The only people that will appreciate half the crap they point out are the hardcore fans that are going to watch anyway. They need to make the game feel exciting, and a lively play by play commentary definitely works.

[Brill Weave]

I agree wholeheartedly. Eliminate all the fucking garbage filler commentary. Focus on what you're paid to do which is provide play by play. If I'm forced to watch Versus or NBC I will. But I find that those games I do watch I enjoy much less than if they are on the local broadcast.

In short, cut the shit, give me the play by play. Save your Earth shattering revelations about Ovechkin's dog for your own time.

[Ivaden]

Pierre McGuire verbally fellates Mike Richards at any given moment, but NBC focused on Crosby and Malkin?

"WHAT A PHYSICALLY STRONG PLAYER, LOOK AT THIS HIT ON MATT COOKE, ABSOLUTELY PUNISHES HIM!"

... as they replay a clip of Richards bouncing off Cooke.

I mean, I can respect Richards because he's a good player. I don't want to take anything away from any of the players, but holy fuck Pierre. Had I counted yesterday, I'm sure I could have had over 500 instances where Pierre talked about Richards when he wasn't even on the ice.

NBC and Versus are failures at commentating. Emrick has to be the most annoying motherfucker in the world with his attempt at color commentating. Sounds like he's having a heart attack anytime someone scores.

[Brill Weave]

I know! Let's start an online petition to get them removed from the commentary roles! Cause online petitions never ever fail!!

[Izzy]

I've started to really enjoy the Rangers local broadcasters, but I still haven't found a play-by-play that can get my heart pumping like Jennaret.

[Sepukku]

Bob Errey for President of the National Hockey Commentators Association of North America - or NHCANA!

"Look at Mark Eaton, spinning around out there, looks like a young Paul Coffey, the Savardian Spin!" (During Game 1 or 2, when Eaton had the puck in the offensive end and did that weird spin thing)

"Gary Roberts drinkin the water!"

"This game went from a chess match to 52 card pickup!"

"Gary's Steeley Eyes"

For all non-Pittsburghers, Bob Errey is this average hockey player that used to play for the Pens and after his career became a Pens telecast person and he's as random and funny as Don Cherry, minus the weird suits and dildoing one's self with the Canadian flag. There's even a Bob Errey drinking game lmao

YouTube - Gary Roberts drinks water [2-10-08]
YouTube - Bob Errey's suggestive comment
YouTube - Bob Errey - Subway Sandwich - Little Tuna
YouTube - Serendipity: Paul Steigerwald interviews Bob Errey after 92 Cup win

[Norelco]

I've started to really enjoy the Rangers local broadcasters, but I still haven't found a play-by-play that can get my heart pumping like Jennaret.

Yeah, sadly, I think RJ is going to retire soon. Either this year or next.

You can sort of tell he's missed a step or two lately. He was absolutely phenomenal during the Sabres two ECF years.

I still get teary eyed at that clip of RJ calling the Drury goal against the Rangers (you know the one I'm referring to) and RJ is screaming "WHO ELSE? WHO ELSE?!"

Or in the first year post-lockout when Pomminville potted that goal on Emery (Ottawa Senators) to put away the series.

"THESE GUYS ARE GOOD! SCARRRRRRRRRY GOOD!"

[Ishido]

Altitude's announcers make VS and NBC look good. They are the only people I have heard not announce a goal by the opposing team.

I also dislike how much people fellate Crosby, Ovechkin, and Malkin, seeing as none of them are the best player in the league, but in a way I'm glad because it makes bandwagoners flock to them.

[Bingbong]

I wish you guys could get someone like Jack Edwards to do your games. He's the play-by-play for NESN in Boston, and the biggest homer doing games that I have ever seen.

He loves the Bruins and makes no apologies for it, and it makes for some hilarious comments.

[vagus]

Bettman better resign some contract with ESPN. Hockey gets little to no airtime on ESPN, and ESPN is the biggest sports network in the US. A few teams need to be washed out Panthers & Islanders. Seattle needs a team since the Sonics are gone & another team in southern Ontario.

Mount up Canuck Nation.

[Ishido]

Bettman better resign some contract with ESPN. Hockey gets little to no airtime on ESPN, and ESPN is the biggest sports network in the US. A few teams need to be washed out Panthers & Islanders. Seattle needs a team since the Sonics are gone & another team in southern Ontario.

Mount up Canuck Nation.

The Panthers are hardly on the level of the Islanders. A Seattle franchise would fail, so few people there enjoy hockey, and if they do, they have the Canucks not too far away.

The NHL does need a contract with ESPN or something better than Versus though.

[Ivaden]

More like Islanders and Lightning. But give us Malone back first.

[Thoronas]

Malone's retired man, it's over. Also Washington finally woke up.

Bloodstained Gary Bettman: 'I Have Taken The Necessary Measures To Ensure A Crosby-Ovechkin Final' | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

[Ivaden]

You mean Gary Roberts. I don't want him back, I want Bugsy.

[Melena]

2 games and counting before the Bay Area begins crying -_-

[Palin]

I hope Boston is going wipe the canadian in 4. Only one game and I'm already tired to see them on the news.

Looks like you won't have to much longer. I doubt the Habs will let themselves lose on home ice in Game 4, but I don't see this going past Game 5.

[Brill Weave]

I think I'm one of the few people who doesn't have a problem with Bettman. Go over to the Yahoo boards and all you see are people clamoring for Bettman to resign. I don't think he's done a bad job. With the soft cap he was able to get in place he was able to help every team in the league to keep salaries under control. I don't think he's the best commissioner ever, but he's a far cry from the worst.