A new contender for worst broadcaster of all time (Leah Hextall)

[GrumpyKoala]

Can be difficult to listen to but no, not the worst.

I think the color job would suit her better. She clearly knowledgeable enough and her voice is more punchy, suitable for burst of excitement.

Pbp you need something that is clear and flow well to the point it is almost boring.

 

[njdevils1982]

devils fan here watching vs ducks…..first time hearing her call and ya...

…this is horrible

 

[njdevils1982]

Can be difficult to listen to but no, not the worst.

I think the color job would suit her better. She clearly knowledgeable enough and her voice is more punchy, suitable for burst of excitement.

Pbp you need something that is clear and flow well to the point it is almost boring.

good point

 

[DJJones]

I didn't even know she was a broadcaster. Used to do Flames intermission stuff, I always liked her

 

[nightonthesun]

I think it's awesome that they want to shake up the boys' club but there's bound to be better female talents out there. Had to turn off Ducks / Devs. Can't do it.

Agree that she'd be a solid choice for color commentary, just doesn't have the spark for play by play

 

[NJ DevLolz]

I think it's awesome that they want to shake up the boys' club but there's bound to be better female talents out there. Had to turn off Ducks / Devs. Can't do it.

Agree that she'd be a solid choice for color commentary, just doesn't have the spark for play by play

This. She’s really bad

 

[Kane One]

Rewatching the condensed highlights i think most of the game was fine but in more stressful situations of the game she was really not good. Also the goal call in OT was really bad.

Oh man lol

 

[DieselPig]

She’s really bad at play by play and I feel bad for saying that but it’s the truth

 

[Rob Brown]

Holy f*** ESPN sucks. Who is this person in between the benches?

 

[Chips]

I think it's awesome that they want to shake up the boys' club but there's bound to be better female talents out there. Had to turn off Ducks / Devs. Can't do it.

Agree that she'd be a solid choice for color commentary, just doesn't have the spark for play by play

They should swap her and AJ Mleczko in their current spots. AJM has a “fuller” sounding voice that would work better for pbp and actually seems to know names and places. Her, I don’t think she works for color commentary at all, her voice is so freaking monotone, there’s no color. Pure “analysis” which misses the point because whT necessary analysis do they even provide? What happens in any game that doesn’t happen thousands of times a year? It’s about the color, the sound of their voice. She’s annoying in that role but I probably wouldn’t mind her doing pbp much.

Leahs voice wouldn’t sound as bad as for any other position but as pbp, messing everything up + the sound of her voice, sounding almost bored some moments, then she yells… sounds like someone took their 14 year old to bring your daughter to work day, grating yell. People seem to have liked her as a host and again she could probably do color. Put her and AJ on the same broadcast for all I care, just swap them once to see.

 

[kylbaz]

Have to have those women though! Only fair! No matter how terrible.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

I only watched one game she did. Ever since I just don't click on the games that only have an ESPN+ feed rather than the local ones.

 

[Rob Brown]

Whenever there is a quick sequence or any sort of play or shot on net her words just blend together very quickly. Hard to watch.

 

[hacksaw7]

She's atrocious. I don't get how did she get this job over what would be dozens if not 100s of other, better, more qualified candidates (+ former players with real NHL experience).

 

[Johnny HFBOARDS]

Tough crowd, I'd watch any game with her as long as the camera is on her

 

[hacksaw7]

Tough crowd, I'd watch any game with her as long as the camera is on her

That I agree with, she's pretty.

But still I do feel bad for the potential candidates who are better at their craft and were not given the opportunity they deserved and worked for. Why try hard or give any effort if somewhere down the line somebody of inferior talent/skill will be awarded the job ahead of you just so the employer can check a box and provide evidence to the mob baselessly threatening/accusing them of discrimination

 

[PanniniClaus]

People need to be given the opportunity to improve. Gord Miller was bad early on... Turned out ok..

 

[PanniniClaus]

She's atrocious. I don't get how did she get this job over what would be dozens if not 100s of other, better, more qualified candidates (+ former players with real NHL experience).

How many former players are doing play by play? I'll wait...

 

[hacksaw7]

People need to be given the opportunity to improve. Gord Miller was bad early on... Turned out ok..

Yes in the minors for years and years until you get better and EARN the job (or not get the job because you couldnt outperform her peers)

 

[Winston Wolf]

"Mike McLeod takes the long shot on Bernier."

Lots of awkward silence, as her partners obviously can't be correcting her every five minutes.

 

[Dread Clawz]

devils fan here watching vs ducks…..first time hearing her call and ya...

…this is horrible

She is a complete dumpster fire. And I'm not against women broadcasters. I like AJ Mclezko(sp?) But yeah I can't even watch this game, that's how bad she is.

 

[njdevils1982]

She is a complete dumpster fire. And I'm not against women broadcasters. I like AJ Mclezko(sp?) But yeah I can't even watch this game, that's how bad she is.

i would have no problem with her doing color ….PBP is missing

 

[PanniniClaus]

Yes in the minors for years and years until you get better and EARN the job (or not get the job because you couldnt outperform her peers)

Gord came off the desk because they saw potential in him. He cut his teeth in the NHL.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Is it that hard to get Gary Thorne to call some f***ing games?

 

[Chimpradamus]

People need to be given the opportunity to improve. Gord Miller was bad early on... Turned out ok..

Really? How will she fix this, ever? Whenever a team scores, oh boy...