Ron MacLean returning to HNIC

[louisstamos]

Interesting article about the Subban trade, Strombo decision and how it relates to an ongoing cultural divide in hockey:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/pk-subban-ron-maclean-nhl-culture-wars-1.3660938

That article is pure garbage IMHO.

Compelling insight, as always.

Culture war in the NHL????????

PK was traded because Habs management thought he was overpaid.  They also didn't like his negative interactions with his teammates.  They traded him for Shea Weber when the trade was presented to them.  Right or wrong decision, that is the situation, not because of some sort of culture war.

To be fair, I think "culture wars" are happening across at lot of sports now.  I was at the Argos home opener a couple weeks back, and half the stadium rained down boos when the Nation Anthem singer sang the new, gender neutral lyrics to O Canada.  I was one of the few people who were like "really?"

Even look at baseball, and the infamous "bat flip" from last year - you have the old guard who absolutely detested it, saying it doesn't belong in the game, it's showing up the pitcher, etc.  The other side liked seeing someone show a little personality and emotion.

The fact of the matter is, hockey and hockey fans are still made up of tons of the "old guard."  That's why someone like Strombo got canned - nevermind that he's a great reporter/interviewer, and a legitimate hockey fan.  Because he's not Ron McClean, everyone calls him "skinny jeans" and making fun of his piercings and the like, because people don't like change.

 

[Al14]

Interesting article about the Subban trade, Strombo decision and how it relates to an ongoing cultural divide in hockey:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/pk-subban-ron-maclean-nhl-culture-wars-1.3660938

That article is pure garbage IMHO.

Compelling insight, as always.

Culture war in the NHL????????

PK was traded because Habs management thought he was overpaid.  They also didn't like his negative interactions with his teammates.  They traded him for Shea Weber when the trade was presented to them.  Right or wrong decision, that is the situation, not because of some sort of culture war.

To be fair, I think "culture wars" are happening across at lot of sports now.  I was at the Argos home opener a couple weeks back, and half the stadium rained down boos when the Nation Anthem singer sang the new, gender neutral lyrics to O Canada.  I was one of the few people who were like "really?"

Even look at baseball, and the infamous "bat flip" from last year - you have the old guard who absolutely detested it, saying it doesn't belong in the game, it's showing up the pitcher, etc.  The other side liked seeing someone show a little personality and emotion.

The fact of the matter is, hockey and hockey fans are still made up of tons of the "old guard."  That's why someone like Strombo got canned - nevermind that he's a great reporter/interviewer, and a legitimate hockey fan.  Because he's not Ron McClean, everyone calls him "skinny jeans" and making fun of his piercings and the like, because people don't like change.

Okay, but, IMHO, Subban was traded due to his hockey shortcomings, large pay cheque, and, his soon to be activated no trade clause.

Ron MacLean is just a very knowledgeable hockey person and this makes him an ideal host of HNIC.  Strombo just didn't impress enough people IMHO.

Culture wars... I don't think so myself.

 

[louisstamos]

I think Subban at 9 is pretty fair value, but everyone has different opinions on different players.

It's hard for Strombo to impress people when people aren't willing to give him a chance to begin with because of how he looks/dresses/background.  Strombo was fine, and asked great questions.  The issue was the people answering the questions were of the Stock/Healy/Kypreos variety.

 

[TBLeafer]

I think Subban at 9 is pretty fair value, but everyone has different opinions on different players.

It's hard for Strombo to impress people when people aren't willing to give him a chance to begin with because of how he looks/dresses/background.  Strombo was fine, and asked great questions.  The issue was the people answering the questions were of the Stock/Healy/Kypreos variety.

IDK, who would you prefer...

Subban @9AAV or Hedman @7.875AAV

 

[louisstamos]

IDK, who would you prefer...

Subban @9AAV or Hedman @7.875AAV

Good question.  I had to think hard about it.  I would go Hedman, but it was close.  Subban brings more offense, and is a Norris Throphy winner.  Hedman, you lose the offense, but you get more of a complete (albeit, more conserative) game.

That said, I think they've both got fair value deals.  When Doughty because a UFA, he may make more than $10 mil per year, and I'd still probably take him at that.

 

[Kin]

I think that if you're labelling an opinion that disagrees with yours as "garbage" you lose the right to call your opinion humble.

 

[Kin]

I think Subban at 9 is pretty fair value, but everyone has different opinions on different players.

It's hard for Strombo to impress people when people aren't willing to give him a chance to begin with because of how he looks/dresses/background.  Strombo was fine, and asked great questions.  The issue was the people answering the questions were of the Stock/Healy/Kypreos variety.

IDK, who would you prefer...

Subban @9AAV or Hedman @7.875AAV

That would only be relevant if Subban were traded for Hedman. Hedman didn't sign a contract that represented what he would have gotten if he just went to the highest bidder on an open market so it's not really representative of what "fair" value is. Hedman did Tampa a big favour by agreeing to the deal he did but other teams can't expect that as the new standard.

The question is Subban vs. Weber and it's a hockey move that has almost been universally panned, even with the cap savings Montreal sees.

 

[L K]

It's the internet, people. Never read the comments.

Wait, so am I supposed to read or ignore the posts here?

 

[Al14]

It's the internet, people. Never read the comments.

Wait, so am I supposed to read or ignore the posts here?

Well, apparently, you're not suppose to read the comments here too.  Wait for it, but, but, this thread, this site, well, it's part of the internet! 

 

[Kin]

Also, I've been sitting on this one for a while but well, I'll say it.

I'm not someone who likes using the argument I'm about to use, I think the notion of "good" and "bad" fans is largely bogus, but if anyone here is legitimately saying that they wouldn't watch a Leafs game they otherwise would have because of who is hosting the studio show I think that's some pretty weak sauce.

 

[PrestigeWorldwide]

Watching hockey in the San Francisco Bay Area has really led me to appreciate HNIC broadcasts.  For Sharks broadcasts, we have Dan Rusanowsky, who has an unlistenable voice, and Randy Hahn, who has some hockey knowledge, but his style just doesn't work for me.  The host is Brodie Brazil, who is the greasiest sounding maf'k I've ever heard.  I think that since hockey isn't considered a Tier A sport here, you get the bottom of the barrel for talent.

Minus Healy and Kypreos, watching the Canadian broadcasts is so awesome.  Camera-work is another major differentiator.  Hockey games in the Bay Area are basically all zoomed out bird's eye shots, whereas the Canadian broadcasts seem to have a lot more live in-close shots following the action.  It makes a huge difference in terms of your feeling of involvement in the game.

It doesn't get much better or classier than MacLean, stoked that he's back.  The best calls I ever heard featured Bob Cole and Harry Neale.  Watching playoff hockey with those guys calling gave me the chills!

 

[Frank E]

I'm gonna be honest with you:  Brodie Brazil is one awesome name.

 

[PrestigeWorldwide]

I'm gonna be honest with you:  Brodie Brazil is one awesome name.

Haha, I will give you that. 

When interviewing NHL players, I can tell that most of them think he's a little twerp and would rather not be talking to him.  I wonder how much that happens in the NHL, who the TV personalities are that they are interviewed by who they just hate interacting with, but have to do it because it's the business?

 

[PrestigeWorldwide]

I'm gonna be honest with you:  Brodie Brazil is one awesome name.

Haha, I will give you that. 

When interviewing NHL players, I can tell that most of them think he's a little twerp and would rather not be talking to him.  I wonder how much that happens in the NHL, who the TV personalities are that they are interviewed by who they just hate interacting with, but have to do it because it's the business?

I guess one classic example is Larry Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AU8CJQiAycI

 

[Kin]

I think that since hockey isn't considered a Tier A sport here, you get the bottom of the barrel for talent.

It's interesting you say that because I've long thought that was true with a lot of the hockey press in the states. Not universally, there are a lot of good US based hockey writers, but it seems at a lot of papers the hockey beat is reserved for whoever just got out of Journalism school.

 

[PrestigeWorldwide]

I think that since hockey isn't considered a Tier A sport here, you get the bottom of the barrel for talent.

It's interesting you say that because I've long thought that was true with a lot of the hockey press in the states. Not universally, there are a lot of good US based hockey writers, but it seems at a lot of papers the hockey beat is reserved for whoever just got out of Journalism school.

It's definitely not universal, but it is a clear trend.  For example, NBC's main hockey guy seems to be "Doc" Emrick, who I think is just OK, but to me he's got a grating, annoying voice, yet all American hockey fans seem to think he's some kind of god.  In Canada, with hockey as #1, the talent pool of interested applicants must be enormous and the fans definitely benefit from that. 

 

[Kin]

It's definitely not universal, but it is a clear trend.  For example, NBC's main hockey guy seems to be "Doc" Emrick, who I think is just OK, but to me he's got a grating, annoying voice, yet all American hockey fans seem to think he's some kind of god.  In Canada, with hockey as #1, the talent pool of interested applicants must be enormous and the fans definitely benefit from that.

Really I was just talking about the print(or, you know, written) media. Most of the US based broadcasts I've watched haven't been great but I don't love Canadian ones either.

 

[PrestigeWorldwide]

It's definitely not universal, but it is a clear trend.  For example, NBC's main hockey guy seems to be "Doc" Emrick, who I think is just OK, but to me he's got a grating, annoying voice, yet all American hockey fans seem to think he's some kind of god.  In Canada, with hockey as #1, the talent pool of interested applicants must be enormous and the fans definitely benefit from that.

Really I was just talking about the print(or, you know, written) media. Most of the US based broadcasts I've watched haven't been great but I don't love Canadian ones either.

Oh OK, well, I can't comment on the print side of things considering I read no American sports content.  All my info comes from Sportsnet and TSN.

 

[herman]

Mike Johnson has parted ways with Rogers Sportsnet, apparently of the company's volition.

Idiots.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Mike Johnson has parted ways with Rogers Sportsnet, apparently of the company's volition.

Idiots.

Unbelievable, this makes no sense.