I understand why some or many people have issues with what Cherry says... but he's not calling the game. You can chose to change the channel or go get a beer or whatever when he comes on. Hughson and Simpson suck at calling the game - and I've tried muting them and listening on the radio - however I don't often get the two in sync.

I do disagree about the marginalizing the young people however (and not just because I'm old). They tried uber hipster Strombo... and it didn't work ... mostly because he really isn't young enough to appeal on a personal level to the youth and secondarily because he knows nothing about hockey not to mention sports broadcasting. To be respected as a sports journalist you have to have a relationship with the players... and how is some recently graduated doink going to appeal to either the mature or youth audiences. Not easy to find for sure...

but simply putting a guy or gal in hipster clothing and parading them in front of a panel of experts with some flashing stage lighting doesn't cut it.... and broadcasting hockey is not like broadcasting NFL football or baseball.

hockey fans tune in for the games primarily - not the half time show - so its the delivery of the game commentary that matters most.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Well said. Your point about Strombo is true. I actually enjoy the commentary during intermission or pregame.. I want to hear Elliot and Kypers view. CBC thinks of millenials as skinny jean, man bun wearing softies. But I'm a millennial and i have never been friends with nor do I know anyone who chooses to follow that line of fashion. Maybe have a pregame montage with a hip-hop track instead of Bryan Adams. Maybe give equally airtime to issues that matter to us as they do to Don Cherry who completely misrepresents us. Overall I think HNIC does the best job, but they could do so much better.

Sitting in a playoff spot, with games in hand on a lot of teams, rolling at the halfway point...this is a stupendous state of affairs if you're a Leaf fan.

How about Kadri with 18 goals? And actual goaltending. Andersen has been all-world goaltending actually.

You know it's good times when you look at Nylander's numbers and he's supposedly the rookie that's kind of 'in the doghouse'.

Those three kids on three different lines...it's brilliant, but then when you put Nylander and Matthews out as a combo they are a deadly combo as well.

This cat is one happy Leaf fan man this is the poop.
- Zezel

certainly the most promising outlook for a very long time... and it was really nice to see McBackup have a good outing last night... important on several levels.

now here's hoping that Uncle Lou has something cooking for an upgrade on defense... since he's so quiet (which is great) none of the media know or can even guess at what he might be up to... but I would think in the next 3-4 weeks leading up to the deadline there will be a few more teams who will fade out... and there are the usual cast of characters (teams) who have substantial CAP issues and the the upcoming expansion draft.... I don't think Lou will sit still.

FIRST!

Suck it spatso

I tune in for the comedy. He used to be a great hockey guy.

Now it's just funny Andersen is having a great season and he's not talked about him once.(he's from Denmark)

Mcbackup gets plucked off waivers and has a good period and he raves about him. (London Ontario,Canada)
- Santo_44

The comedic factor is based in xenophobia and nationalism.

I used to laugh at that, but with the current state of the world I see it as a problem. The man advocates violence (read downies tweets) and there's no place for that anymore. He's alienated himself from any respected hockey circle and he's a sideshow now.

🖒

Still love tradition though and cherry to me is tradition. I don't mind him at all, mostly because I don't feel the need to agree with all his opinions. He's entertaining unlike most.
- systemtool

Part of what makes Cherry entertaining is the tradition, the pro-Canada schtick... but I think there too many youngish types who WANT to find issue with him... because they don't understand him. The main point is you don't have to agree with him.... and he doesn't have to agree with you.

Similarly, the HNIC is about millenials - sorry guys - its about Hockey in Canada on a Saturday night.... when that was the only thing that 90% of Canadian households tuned into. While the percentage changed.... certainly its gone down... what's the percentage that tune into a Canadian Mens Olympic game? It is PART of the Canadian identity... and for that reason shouldn't be so easily discarded.

If it was easily replaced... it would be.

certainly the most promising outlook for a very long time... and it was really nice to see McBackup have a good outing last night... important on several levels.

now here's hoping that Uncle Lou has something cooking for an upgrade on defense... since he's so quiet (which is great) none of the media know or can even guess at what he might be up to... but I would think in the next 3-4 weeks leading up to the deadline there will be a few more teams who will fade out... and there are the usual cast of characters (teams) who have substantial CAP issues and the the upcoming expansion draft.... I don't think Lou will sit still.
- BorjeFan4Ever

It's JVR for Hjarmalsson.

Hawks needs more scoring if you can believe it. TVR plays there too.

I would actually like this trade..

Oh and also, literally all my predictions about this season are coming true.

It's JVR for Hjarmalsson.

Hawks needs more scoring if you can believe it. TVR plays there too.

I would actually like this trade..

Oh and also, literally all my predictions about this season are coming true.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Hawks need to shed salary though. If they trade Hjarmalsson I imagine they would want NHL ready kids on cheap contracts, rather than JVR who makes the same as Hjarmalsson, I believe.

Just my two pennies.

It's JVR for Hjarmalsson.

Hawks needs more scoring if you can believe it. TVR plays there too.

I would actually like this trade..

Oh and also, literally all my predictions about this season are coming true.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

29 though turning 30. Too old??

Hawks need to shed salary though. If they trade Hjarmalsson I imagine they would want NHL ready kids on cheap contracts, rather than JVR who makes the same as Hjarmalsson, I believe.

Just my two pennies.
- BetterCallSaul

Soshnikov is a nice trade piece in that regard.

The comedic factor is based in xenophobia and nationalism.

I used to laugh at that, but with the current state of the world I see it as a problem. The man advocates violence (read downies tweets) and there's no place for that anymore. He's alienated himself from any respected hockey circle and he's a sideshow now.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You should never equate Canadian xenophobia and nationalism - as minimalist as it is - with what happens elsewhere in the world. This is xenophobia and nationalism in a sports context... I dare say, that the problems and issues with that elsewhere are far far more dangerous.

When I lived overseas a number of years ago (I've lived and worked all over the world) ... I was asked why Canadians are so nice (not a joking question), why they seem to get along, why there's so relatively little violence and violent crime?...

I somewhat flippantly responded... because we get our aggression out playing hockey... then you are too tired to fight about other stuff.

All joking aside.. over the many years of sports rivalry between Canadian markets, how much inter-fan base violence has there been? I used to go to Habs - Leaf games back in the early 80s... we'd whip down the 401 and while there was always banter between the fans... I think I saw one single fight once.

Americans fight at NFL games. Soccer hooliganism is a regular occurrence the world over.

Don Cherry's homerism doesn't even register on the scale of sports violence in my opinion.

To understand this you need to go to a second division Italian soccer game between rival towns, or second division English football game, or a handball game in Hungary or the Czech republic.

Hawks need to shed salary though. If they trade Hjarmalsson I imagine they would want NHL ready kids on cheap contracts, rather than JVR who makes the same as Hjarmalsson, I believe.

Just my two pennies.
- BetterCallSaul

I wouldn't want Hjarmalsson... not the age... but that guy has serious mileage on him... he's been through the wars with the Hawks... that tank is empty.

Part of what makes Cherry entertaining is the tradition, the pro-Canada schtick... but I think there too many youngish types who WANT to find issue with him... because they don't understand him. The main point is you don't have to agree with him.... and he doesn't have to agree with you.

Similarly, the HNIC is about millenials - sorry guys - its about Hockey in Canada on a Saturday night.... when that was the only thing that 90% of Canadian households tuned into. While the percentage changed.... certainly its gone down... what's the percentage that tune into a Canadian Mens Olympic game? It is PART of the Canadian identity... and for that reason shouldn't be so easily discarded.

If it was easily replaced... it would be.
- BorjeFan4Ever

He would be easily replaced.. CBC made Cherry famous, they just have to make someone else famous.. (frank) throw Pat Roy on, he'd be equally entertaining and controversial. Truth is, although you old farts take no issue with his clear ignorance, and may even enjoy watching him do his thing, there's no place for that anymore. Some think he's a national icon, while others see him as a disgrace. He's an embarrassment to our institution and does nothing to help grow the game elsewhere.

Well said. Your point about Strombo is true. I actually enjoy the commentary during intermission or pregame.. I want to hear Elliot and Kypers view. CBC thinks of millenials as skinny jean, man bun wearing softies. But I'm a millennial and i have never been friends with nor do I know anyone who chooses to follow that line of fashion. Maybe have a pregame montage with a hip-hop track instead of Bryan Adams. Maybe give equally airtime to issues that matter to us as they do to Don Cherry who completely misrepresents us. Overall I think HNIC does the best job, but they could do so much better.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

The Leaf commentaters need to rip on the refs and the league a lot more, kind of like the Boston commenaters.

It's JVR for Hjarmalsson.

Hawks needs more scoring if you can believe it. TVR plays there too.

I would actually like this trade..

Oh and also, literally all my predictions about this season are coming true.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I hope Lou looks at Minnesota... while I'm not a big Dumba fan (I think he's the Canadian equivalent of Jake Gardiner) I would think a guy Scandella would be a great add. And you would think that Minnesota would be looking to add cheapish scoring and possibly dump a contract.

29 though turning 30. Too old??
- Santo_44

all they need is a couple of rentals for this years push, they won't trade any big ticket items.

I hope Lou looks at Minnesota... while I'm not a big Dumba fan (I think he's the Canadian equivalent of Jake Gardiner) I would think a guy Scandella would be a great add. And you would think that Minnesota would be looking to add cheapish scoring and possibly dump a contract.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Brodin would be a good pickup as well.

all they need is a couple of rentals for this years push, they won't trade any big ticket items.
- bobbyisno1

I don't think they will take any rentals. It'll either be a huge deal for a d man.

Or a trade for a 4/5 defensmen with term or an RFA that they can keep

You should never equate Canadian xenophobia and nationalism - as minimalist as it is - with what happens elsewhere in the world. This is xenophobia and nationalism in a sports context... I dare say, that the problems and issues with that elsewhere are far far more dangerous.

When I lived overseas a number of years ago (I've lived and worked all over the world) ... I was asked why Canadians are so nice (not a joking question), why they seem to get along, why there's so relatively little violence and violent crime?...

I somewhat flippantly responded... because we get our aggression out playing hockey... then you are too tired to fight about other stuff.

All joking aside.. over the many years of sports rivalry between Canadian markets, how much inter-fan base violence has there been? I used to go to Habs - Leaf games back in the early 80s... we'd whip down the 401 and while there was always banter between the fans... I think I saw one single fight once.

Americans fight at NFL games. Soccer hooliganism is a regular occurrence the world over.

Don Cherry's homerism doesn't even register on the scale of sports violence in my opinion.

To understand this you need to go to a second division Italian soccer game between rival towns, or second division English football game, or a handball game in Hungary or the Czech republic.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Hockey fans typically aren't any more polite than other fans.. I've seen lots of fights at games in Ottawa and I've even been involved in 2 (one in Calgary). I'm not saying Don Cherry is advocating for fans to fight, he supports men beating each other for entertaining value. He's never once touched on the issues of ptsd or what happens after they retire. He hides behind this rediculous argument that it prevents injuries.. you never see former fighters say they like Cherry. Tie wouldn't let Max be a goon because he doesn't want that life for his son. But yeah, hooliganism is not really a North American thing.

You should never equate Canadian xenophobia and nationalism - as minimalist as it is - with what happens elsewhere in the world. This is xenophobia and nationalism in a sports context... I dare say, that the problems and issues with that elsewhere are far far more dangerous.

When I lived overseas a number of years ago (I've lived and worked all over the world) ... I was asked why Canadians are so nice (not a joking question), why they seem to get along, why there's so relatively little violence and violent crime?...

I somewhat flippantly responded... because we get our aggression out playing hockey... then you are too tired to fight about other stuff.

All joking aside.. over the many years of sports rivalry between Canadian markets, how much inter-fan base violence has there been? I used to go to Habs - Leaf games back in the early 80s... we'd whip down the 401 and while there was always banter between the fans... I think I saw one single fight once.

Americans fight at NFL games. Soccer hooliganism is a regular occurrence the world over.

Don Cherry's homerism doesn't even register on the scale of sports violence in my opinion.

To understand this you need to go to a second division Italian soccer game between rival towns, or second division English football game, or a handball game in Hungary or the Czech republic.
- BorjeFan4Ever

When I was a Leaf game in Tampa there was a dude about 8 rows behind me that wanted to climb down and attack me.
I was with my wife , her parents and 2 of her parents freinds. All of whom are in their 70's.
Big tough Americans.

I hope Lou looks at Minnesota... while I'm not a big Dumba fan (I think he's the Canadian equivalent of Jake Gardiner) I would think a guy Scandella would be a great add. And you would think that Minnesota would be looking to add cheapish scoring and possibly dump a contract.
- BorjeFan4Ever

They do have lots of D.. and are in the west..

When I was a Leaf game in Tampa there was a dude about 8 rows behind me that wanted to climb down and attack me.
I was with my wife , her parents and 2 of her parents freinds. All of whom are in their 70's.
Big tough Americans.
- bobbyisno1

He probably was lost and thought he was at a Trump rally.

I tune in for the comedy. He used to be a great hockey guy.

Now it's just funny Andersen is having a great season and he's not talked about him once.(he's from Denmark)

Mcbackup gets plucked off waivers and has a good period and he raves about him. (London Ontario,Canada)
- Santo_44

"Andersen, watch yer back!!!"

I don't think they will take any rentals. It'll either be a huge deal for a d man.

Or a trade for a 4/5 defensmen with term or an RFA that they can keep
- Santo_44

We'll see, I think they pick up a D or 2 on expiring contracts for 2nd round picks.
I don't think they want anybody they have to protect that'll leave other peices exsposed.

"Andersen, watch yer back!!!"



- lumlums

I didn't catch that did he actually say that?

He would be easily replaced.. CBC made Cherry famous, they just have to make someone else famous.. (frank) throw Pat Roy on, he'd be equally entertaining and controversial. Truth is, although you old farts take no issue with his clear ignorance, and may even enjoy watching him do his thing, there's no place for that anymore. Some think he's a national icon, while others see him as a disgrace. He's an embarrassment to our institution and does nothing to help grow the game elsewhere.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

no offense intended... but if he could be replaced HNIC and CBC would have done so long ago.

there's outrage and fake outrage... and Canadians, particularly Canadian media are masters of fake outrage... and there any number of hockey people who have had it in for Cherry for years.... heck I think he even has a contract that is done a week or a month at a time..

Cherry's biggest flaw (my opinion) is he's outspoken and forceful about his hockey opinions... and that's fine - its just hockey. Where he blunders is when he wanders off the reservation and gets into other areas. But there's the rub... he does and should take on others when they wander into the hockey realm.... and certainly more often than not he has been proven to be correct about the hockey stuff. Canadian youth should not buy into the media narrative around Cherry - that he's somehow and embarrassment - he isn't - except to people like Strombo, who would love nothing more than to bring him down and would like nothing more than to have his job. The smart more experience journalists/folks within the Canadian media steer clear.

I would be really curious, who the younger folks would see as a replacement for the Coach's Corner segment?