Its shocking, but I actually agree with you this time!

I guess the conflict of interest with Rogers and the Leafs is on par with the conflict of interest between Comcast/NBC and the Flyers.

Ron Maclean is awful..... from the music lyrics that he reads terribly to his awful "referee" POV, backing of certain player(obvious friend of theirs) when others are questioning their play.... I have had enough of him. The Alex Burrows and Stephane Auger video segment he did was the tipping point, I've never seen such a slanted piece of crap from the CBC before. I hope Strombo can usher in a new era..... as for the Hockey commentators that Rogers acquired.... they are some of the best from the good ol days at TSN and Sportsnet.... Randorf, Hughson, Romanuk...... awesome!

As far as some of the other production they do at Rogers, I agree they are inferior to TSN and CBC. But you never know they are spending oodles of money for this so maybe they improve their quality.

This makes no sense. The NHL is free to use it's TV profits to do whatever it wants, and the fact is, teams that lose money will eventually be relocated. People like to crap on the Coyotes, but seem ignorant of the size of the Arizona market, which I think is top 5 in NA, or close.

If hockey ever takes off and gets a foothold there, it will be worth a couple decades of losing money. Call Bettman what you want, but the guy has a history of getting big picture thinking.
- James_Tanner

TV money is HRR
Money is divided amongst the teams
Would the coyotes have ever bought out a player out of a long term deal after 1 year in if they weren't getting this tv money?

This tv deal is propping up failing franchises that should be relocated
The panthers are currently the 12th highest spending team

Granted that there are teams that need to fill out their rosters below them

But the panthers are 11.5 M above the cap floor

Before you start to hyper ventilate, you do realize TSN will still be broadcasting NHL games...or did you "accidentally" overlook that fact?

This deal means that TSN will no longer be broadcasting "national" games....but they are still doing local. It's actually like they have reversed roles with rogers sportsnet. I know they are still working on some deals with teams, but as it stands TSN will be broadcasting games for Toronto, Ottawa (52 games), Montreal and Winnipeg.

Other then that, I agree with most of what you said in your article
- Sens2k5

This is what I was thinking ^

I can't speak for everyone here in the West, but, for a guy in his late 40's I witnessed the CBC shoving the Leafs down our throats for years. Thus the hate for everything "Leafs". Better in recent years with the second telecast, too little too late for me, I can't wait for the death of HNIC.

Toronto Sports Network caters to their Ontario audience, which makes perfect business sense, again everything Leafs or BlueJays.

At least Sportsnet split into regional telecasts to show our local teams. Ya they've got inferior people, but I don't watch for the people, I watch because they're showing my team.
- LeftCoaster

Not too often I will agree with a Canucks fan but you hit the nail right on the head with this post. I am so tired of the biased views of TSN and HNIC. Also I enjoy watching the Oilers on Sportsnet West. Never had an issue with it.

On a different topic now from the blog itself...Ray Ferraro, Pierre McGuire, Steve Kouleas are not top broadcasters. All three are absolute garbage. I look forward to no more Ron and bringing in George Strombo to host.

You are wrong about Ron McLean. No self respecting British Columbian likes that clown. He might be a treasure in Ontario, NOT in B.C.... He's a turd and I'd be glad if he never set foot in my province again.

Why is Rogers bad for hockey?


I don't think you can put on Sportsnet and not find a reason once the panel/analysts start talking. Now those guys will get more air time and that ain't good for anything.


Oh, but one good thing with TSN (frank)ing off, is that stupid behind the net cam on the powerplay hopefully dies with TSN's broadcasts.

You chicken little folks are ridiculous about this topic.

CBC's HNIC has been poop for years. Elliot Friedman is the only hockey guy they have worth listening to, Cole is a great play by play guy whose career is nearly over, and Ron MacLean is a good broadcaster - but when it comes right down to it he's just a talking head, who adds nothing of substance. Bottom line, we won't be missing much.

You people act like TSN's people are NHL players - guess what, they can quit their job at any time they wish, if Rogers gives them the coin.

I'm betting Sportsnet is revamping the whole operation, from the production crew to the studio right now, and will hire some great broadcast talent before long.

Sportsnet already does a great job with their camera work during games, and has way less interruptions to listen to brain damaged puppets like Glenn Healy, Ray Ferraro, and formerly Pierre McGuire babble on about nothing.

I for one, am excited to see what they can do, especially since they plan on minimizing blackouts of games - I'm pretty excited to be able to watch 3-4 games each night on a basic cable package, instead of 1-2 options and the rest blacked out.

Yeah because it's so perfectly acceptable for Milbury to spew his Penguins hatred on a nightly basis.
- Amanion

On NBC!?!?! HAHAHAHAHAHA

Dude I hear more talk about the Pens and Hawks on NBC in 5 minutes than an entire Kings game on NBC

You chicken little folks are ridiculous about this topic.

CBC's HNIC has been poop for years. Elliot Friedman is the only hockey guy they have worth listening to, Cole is a great play by play guy whose career is nearly over, and Ron MacLean is a good broadcaster - but when it comes right down to it he's just a talking head, who adds nothing of substance. Bottom line, we won't be missing much.

You people act like TSN's people are NHL players - guess what, they can quit their job at any time they wish, if Rogers gives them the coin.

I'm betting Sportsnet is revamping the whole operation, from the production crew to the studio right now, and will hire some great broadcast talent before long.

Sportsnet already does a great job with their camera work during games, and has way less interruptions to listen to brain damaged puppets like Glenn Healy, Ray Ferraro, and formerly Pierre McGuire babble on about nothing.

I for one, am excited to see what they can do, especially since they plan on minimizing blackouts of games - I'm pretty excited to be able to watch 3-4 games each night on a basic cable package, instead of 1-2 options and the rest blacked out.
- TommyDeVito

My point, anyways,was about how Rogers is a horrible mega-corperation and giving them more power is in no way a good thing. Sure, I prefer TSN and CBC, but it's not like I love them so much I can't see anything bad about them. My point is that I consider Rogers and other telecommunications giants - including Bell which owns TSN and the other half of the Maple Leafs- to be only slightly less nefarious than Oil companies.

You guys actually listen to the announcers? And tune for the those bloody awful musical intros? I thought only grandmothers did that!

You guys actually listen to the announcers? And tune for the those bloody awful musical intros? I thought only grandmothers did that!
- allycat

Rogers Sportsnet sucks Announcers are lame. The comparision with Rogers and Comcast is right on. I would quit watching TV if I was forced to use Comcast.

My point, anyways,was about how Rogers is a horrible mega-corperation and giving them more power is in no way a good thing. Sure, I prefer TSN and CBC, but it's not like I love them so much I can't see anything bad about them. My point is that I consider Rogers and other telecommunications giants - including Bell which owns TSN and the other half of the Maple Leafs- to be only slightly less nefarious than Oil companies.
- James_Tanner

That may be true, but mega-corporations are about making money - and the way to make money at broadcasting sports is to get viewership up.

I actually think it is in our best interest to move it away from a government institution, whether rogers will do it right or not its hard to say - but they've got time to perfect it.

You chicken little folks are ridiculous about this topic.

CBC's HNIC has been poop for years. Elliot Friedman is the only hockey guy they have worth listening to, Cole is a great play by play guy whose career is nearly over, and Ron MacLean is a good broadcaster - but when it comes right down to it he's just a talking head, who adds nothing of substance. Bottom line, we won't be missing much.

You people act like TSN's people are NHL players - guess what, they can quit their job at any time they wish, if Rogers gives them the coin.

I'm betting Sportsnet is revamping the whole operation, from the production crew to the studio right now, and will hire some great broadcast talent before long.

Sportsnet already does a great job with their camera work during games, and has way less interruptions to listen to brain damaged puppets like Glenn Healy, Ray Ferraro, and formerly Pierre McGuire babble on about nothing.

I for one, am excited to see what they can do, especially since they plan on minimizing blackouts of games - I'm pretty excited to be able to watch 3-4 games each night on a basic cable package, instead of 1-2 options and the rest blacked out.
- TommyDeVito

Sportsnet has hired their broadcast team - this is the great talent you speak of?
Romanuck Randorph hughson cole

The big tsn guys ripped up their contracts and signed new long term deals with tsn

The biggest brain drain is still there Healy and now we will be force fed kypreos on top of that

I must agree with you 100% James sportsnet sucks all the way. To have them buying out hockey night in Canada is a disgrace

I agree generally but come on... Bell? It's not like they have noble intentions when it comes to preserving what makes watching hockey in Canada great and, if I recall correctly, were in competition with Rogers for the NHL broadcast monopoly. The loss of HNIC is the real shame, I'll shed no tears for the talking heads of which ever evil telecommunication company lost the battle to ruin hockey broadcasting.

BTW, on a completely unrelated note. A little while ago you had a list of what you feel to be the best bands ever. Something I found interesting is that everyone of those bands share a common influence that you left out probably because they are pretty far off the radar. Check out Wire, the "Pink Flag" and "Chairs Missing" albums in particular. If you like that type of music, Wire will rock your world.

I don't mind Ron MacLean, but Don Cherry needs to head out to pasture. The man is 80 years old, these days he basically comes off as the crotchety old geezer on his front porch, constantly complaining about how kids these days have no respect and how he's upset about how ethnic the neighbourhood has become. I don't care how long he's been spewing his verbal diarrhea, it's high time someone took him off the air. Very disappointed that Rogers brought him in, but you can be guaranteed that the only reason they did it is because he knows that there is a horde of simple Leafs fans who eat up every word the man says.

Pierre McGuire already works for NBC though. He only worked for TSN at events like the draft, didn't do any broadcasts.

Bob McKenzie is the only TSN guy that I'm going to miss. Dreger is a turd (how many times does he have to say 'in play' when referring to a hockey player that might get traded), LeBrun works for ESPN as well and he can go there, Duthie isn't funny, and the slew of 2nd and 3rd rate NHL'ers they bring in for 'expert' analysis are not to be missed.

CBC isn't much better. Stock is dumb, but he's probably the best of the bunch. Healy is brutal, Hrudey is kinda brutal, Weekes is brutal, I'm probably missing a few as well.

If I ever have to hear Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson call a hockey game it'll be too soon. They should have ditched the guy and made Dean Brown into their lead anchor.

The Rogers crew are also bush league. Millard wears suits that don't fit him, I'm convinced that Kypreos is being operated by 2 or 3 tiny creatures living inside that massive dome of his, pulling levers and pushing buttons to make him flail about wildly on cue, and I don't think Doug MacLean knows where he is most days.

Bringing in George Strombolopoulos is a savvy move by Rogers. New contract, fresh blood. He's likeable, he's well spoken, and by all accounts he knows the sport. Seems like a perfect start for Rogers.

I don't mind Ron MacLean, but Don Cherry needs to head out to pasture. The man is 80 years old, these days he basically comes off as the crotchety old geezer on his front porch, constantly complaining about how kids these days have no respect and how he's upset about how ethnic the neighbourhood has become. I don't care how long he's been spewing his verbal diarrhea, it's high time someone took him off the air. Very disappointed that Rogers brought him in, but you can be guaranteed that the only reason they did it is because he knows that there is a horde of simple Leafs fans who eat up every word the man says.

Pierre McGuire already works for NBC though. He only worked for TSN at events like the draft, didn't do any broadcasts.

Bob McKenzie is the only TSN guy that I'm going to miss. Dreger is a turd (how many times does he have to say 'in play' when referring to a hockey player that might get traded), LeBrun works for ESPN as well and he can go there, Duthie isn't funny, and the slew of 2nd and 3rd rate NHL'ers they bring in for 'expert' analysis are not to be missed.

CBC isn't much better. Stock is dumb, but he's probably the best of the bunch. Healy is brutal, Hrudey is kinda brutal, Weekes is brutal, I'm probably missing a few as well.

If I ever have to hear Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson call a hockey game it'll be too soon. They should have ditched the guy and made Dean Brown into their lead anchor.

The Rogers crew are also bush league. Millard wears suits that don't fit him, I'm convinced that Kypreos is being operated by 2 or 3 tiny creatures living inside that massive dome of his, pulling levers and pushing buttons to make him flail about wildly on cue, and I don't think Doug MacLean knows where he is most days.

Bringing in George Strombolopoulos is a savvy move by Rogers. New contract, fresh blood. He's likeable, he's well spoken, and by all accounts he knows the sport. Seems like a perfect start for Rogers.
- the_terror

Nadir is that you

Everething Rodgers does is conpletely inferior to TSN and now they are bringing in Strombo. I'm. Gonna have to use the mute button on Saturday nights this season. This would have never happened in the states. Their competition laws are much stronger than Canada's. Deals like this should not be approved by the competition bearue. Now that Rogers has a monopoly they have even less motivation to attract talent. Pretty soon there will be an exodus of talented hockey broadcasters to the usa.

My point, anyways,was about how Rogers is a horrible mega-corperation and giving them more power is in no way a good thing. Sure, I prefer TSN and CBC, but it's not like I love them so much I can't see anything bad about them. My point is that I consider Rogers and other telecommunications giants - including Bell which owns TSN and the other half of the Maple Leafs- to be only slightly less nefarious than Oil companies.
- James_Tanner

Oh no not those evil oil companies.

Everething Rodgers does is conpletely inferior to TSN and now they are bringing in Strombo. I'm. Gonna have to use the mute button on Saturday nights this season. This would have never happened in the states. Their competition laws are much stronger than Canada's. Deals like this should not be approved by the competition bearue. Now that Rogers has a monopoly they have even less motivation to attract talent. Pretty soon there will be an exodus of talented hockey broadcasters to the usa.
- flamminghead

I see no problem with that

Everething Rodgers does is conpletely inferior to TSN and now they are bringing in Strombo. I'm. Gonna have to use the mute button on Saturday nights this season. This would have never happened in the states. Their competition laws are much stronger than Canada's. Deals like this should not be approved by the competition bearue. Now that Rogers has a monopoly they have even less motivation to attract talent. Pretty soon there will be an exodus of talented hockey broadcasters to the usa.
- flamminghead

I agree, market competition always benefits the consumer. I'm glad that they'll be more national games, but the product could(will) suffer without the competition between Sportsnet/TSN/CBC.

I agree generally but come on... Bell? It's not like they have noble intentions when it comes to preserving what makes watching hockey in Canada great and, if I recall correctly, were in competition with Rogers for the NHL broadcast monopoly. The loss of HNIC is the real shame, I'll shed no tears for the talking heads of which ever evil telecommunication company lost the battle to ruin hockey broadcasting.

BTW, on a completely unrelated note. A little while ago you had a list of what you feel to be the best bands ever. Something I found interesting is that everyone of those bands share a common influence that you left out probably because they are pretty far off the radar. Check out Wire, the "Pink Flag" and "Chairs Missing" albums in particular. If you like that type of music, Wire will rock your world.
- Jesse1917

Hey, that's a great call, Wire is a great band.

Oh no not those evil oil companies.
- flamminghead

I'm not quite sure what to make of this. I guess if you're from Calgary you have a vested interest in pretending that oil companies are not the physical embodiment of Satan, but I am pretty sure any half-way educated person can agree that there is not a single thing on this earth as bad as an oil company.