Confirmed with Link: Mears and Errey fired

[orby]

My favorite Errey moment was when he noticed the double hit puck in that shootout vs the Rangers back in like 2015 or 2016. For about 30 seconds I think he was the only person in the arena who realized what had happened and that the game wasn't over - iirc both teams were on their way to the locker rooms. And then the Pens came back and won! For all his goofiness, Errey could be pretty astute at times.

 

[CascadiaPenguin]

That's not funny. The only person worse at their job in hockey than Hextall, is Hextall.

There are many Leah Hextall "moments", but this may be my favorite: How do shootouts work?

 

[BHD]

Meh. I get canning them. However, I want a more legit voice calling games. Tampa hired Dave Randorf (a notable name in Canada) after Rick Peckham called it a day. Now, those guys aren't always available. However, Vegas hired Dave Goucher (radio in Boston) for the inaugural season.

Otherwise, the Pens will still have the reputation of being a "homer" broadcast.

 

[Ogrezilla]

My favorite Errey moment was when he noticed the double hit puck in that shootout vs the Rangers back in like 2015 or 2016. For about 30 seconds I think he was the only person in the arena who realized what had happened and that the game wasn't over - iirc both teams were on their way to the locker rooms. And then the Pens came back and won! For all his goofiness, Errey could be pretty astute at times.

oh man that was a great one. We had like 10 people over for that game (and I think it was a sort of friendsgiving night) and we were all so pumped. Errey is legit great at seeing what's actually happening out there.

Meh. I get canning them. However, I want a more legit voice calling games. Tampa hired Dave Randorf (a notable name in Canada) after Rick Peckham called it a day. Now, those guys aren't always available. However, Vegas hired Dave Goucher (radio in Boston) for the inaugural season.

Otherwise, the Pens will still have the reputation of being a "homer" broadcast.

I will never ever get why people care about this. Did Errey want the Pens to win? Sure he did. He's the home announcer. Did he point out when he thought the Pens got a lucky call/non-call? Yeah, he did. He was a homer, but not a blind homer. I am 100% good with that because I am also a fan of this team I would take a homer who is excited about this team over a perfectly neutral party every time.

 

[BusinessGoose]

National broadcast.. No homer talk allowed

Regional broadcast... Isn't being a homer the very point of this? I mean sure you can't be up there pouting, call the game and critique as needed

 

[Andy99]

National broadcast.. No homer talk allowed

Regional broadcast... Isn't being a homer the very point of this? I mean sure you can't be up there pouting, call the game and critique as needed

Huh? No…the point is to be more knowledgeable about the home team and have some insights on what the team is building but to point out when the team and players do well AND when they make mistakes…if Sullivan’s strategy isn’t effective, there’s no reason at the end of the period not to say “Pens forecheck isn’t working; they should do X instead”…homerism is the antithesis of that…people saying this should look at some good regional broadcasts…Pens weren’t one of them

 

[Ugene Magic]

oh man that was a great one. We had like 10 people over for that game (and I think it was a sort of friendsgiving night) and we were all so pumped. Errey is legit great at seeing what's actually happening out there.


I will never ever get why people care about this. Did Errey want the Pens to win? Sure he did. He's the home announcer. Did he point out when he thought the Pens got a lucky call/non-call? Yeah, he did. He was a homer, but not a blind homer. I am 100% good with that because I am also a fan of this team I would take a homer who is excited about this team over a perfectly neutral party every time.

Lange was very neutral outside of calling goals and saves for. I'm sure all everyone wants is a signature voice with a little flair. Panning to the hometown crowd is the job, so I get the national attention games being a bit off for other fans. Lange would actually put attention to opposing players scoring or making great plays.

But Lange put a lot of effort into knowing the league as a whole.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Lange was very neutral outside of calling goals and saves for. I'm sure all everyone wants is a signature voice with a little flair. Panning to the hometown crowd is the job, so I get the national attention games being a bit off for other fans. Lange would actually put attention to opposing players scoring or making great plays.

But Lange put a lot of effort into knowing the league as a whole.

Lange was play by play too, which is a very different job than the color guy. Also even if Lange called the games neutrally he was definitely not boring and you still came away from the game aware that he was a Pens fan.

 

[SEALBound]

National broadcast.. No homer talk allowed

Regional broadcast... Isn't being a homer the very point of this? I mean sure you can't be up there pouting, call the game and critique as needed

Indeed. I simply do not understand when people get their panties in a bunch worrying about the Pens announcers favoring the Pens. Or any teams' announcers favoring their team.

"They're homers!" to which my legit retort is "...so?"

I just don't get it. There's plenty of stuff to get pissed about in game. Announcers...not one of them for me.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Huh? No…the point is to be more knowledgeable about the home team and have some insights on what the team is building but to point out when the team and players do well AND when they make mistakes…if Sullivan’s strategy isn’t effective, there’s no reason at the end of the period not to say “Pens forecheck isn’t working; they should do X instead”…homerism is the antithesis of that…people saying this should look at some good regional broadcasts…Pens weren’t one of them

I don't think being a homer is the same as being a cheerleader. I think a homer roots for a team.

But also I cringe at the thought of people with HF style opinions as our announcers

Also also I don't it has been uncommon to for Errey to point out when someone makes a mistake. Things like fleury or jarry would want that back, off the post, off his angle etc. Bad passes or missed assignments on D, missing a shot, etc. He's mostly positive but he doesn't just pretend everything is perfect either. I would absolutely hate it the broadcast just had a general negative tone all game, that just sounds miserable. Even if it's right, I just don't want that. It's why I don't do game day threads anymore, and it would probably stop me from watching entirely.

 

[Andy99]

I don't think being a homer is the same as being a cheerleader. I think a homer roots for a team.

But also I cringe at the thought of people with HF style opinions as our announcers

Also also I don't it has been uncommon to for Errey to point out when someone makes a mistake. Things like fleury or jarry would want that back, off the post, off his angle etc. Bad passes or missed assignments on D, missing a shot, etc. He's mostly positive but he doesn't just pretend everything is perfect either. I would absolutely hate it the broadcast just had a general negative tone all game, that just sounds miserable. Even if it's right, I just don't want that. It's why I don't do game day threads anymore, and it would probably stop me from watching entirely.

Homer means you root for the team to the exclusion of objective reality

 

[Ogrezilla]

Homer means you root for the team to the exclusion of objective reality

okay, then I don't think Errey is a homer. Someone let management know, maybe we can still get him back.

 

[Andy99]

okay, then I don't think Errey is a homer. Someone let management know, maybe we can still get him back.

That still doesn’t mean he was good at his job…no reason to advise FSG of anything…Mears and Errey ranked very low on the list of hockey broadcasters for a reason lol

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I think, as far as homer announcers go, it was easy to find guys worse than Errey. He was just an excitable dork, to an annoying degree imo, but he was pretty fine when it came to objectivity for a local station guy.

 

[Gurglesons]

I think Errey is gone because he sounds like an 90s announcer.

He was fine, but our crew was regularly bottom of the league in terms of broadcast ratings.

 

[Ogrezilla]

That still doesn’t mean he was good at his job…no reason to advise FSG of anything…Mears and Errey ranked very low on the list of hockey broadcasters for a reason lol

bad taste is the only reason I can think of

I don't know, it's weird. I hear that online a lot. But I have never met a single person in real life who doesn't love Errey.

I think Errey is gone because he sounds like an 90s announcer.

He was fine, but our crew was regularly bottom of the league in terms of broadcast ratings.

nationally, or within their own region?

Obviously I get that my evidence is 100% anecdotal, but I do wonder about the sampling group that talk to other people about hockey in the real world compared to the group that takes polls about regional broadcast teams

 

[Andy99]

bad taste is the only reason I can think of

I don't know, it's weird. I hear that online a lot. But I have never met a single person in real life who doesn't love Errey.

As a broadcast analyst, I don’t…I’m sure he’s a great person but he’s frustrating as an analyst because his comments are often very vague and it’s deliberate because he doesn’t want to go too far it seems and criticize any player or coach, so 90% of his comments are lame…I turned him and Mears off and would try to watch the opposing team’s broadcast team and I’d say two-thirds of those teams were better than Mears-Errey

 

[Ogrezilla]

As a broadcast analyst, I don’t…I’m sure he’s a great person but he’s frustrating as an analyst because his comments are often very vague and it’s deliberate because he doesn’t want to go too far it seems and criticize any player or coach, so 90% of his comments are lame…I turned him and Mears off and would try to watch the opposing team’s broadcast team and I’d say two-thirds of those teams were better than Mears-Errey

I had center ice for a while, and no cable for a while (including now)so I had to stream, so I have heard a ton of games with the opposing broadcasters as well. I completely disagree. Errey is a great color guy imo. Though Mears was very replaceable.

Obviously it depends what you're looking for. I really don't care about deeper analysis, I'm watching to be entertained. I'll gladly take the guy that intentionally avoids getting in the weeds on negativity. That sounds like a positive trait to me. If you want to give better analysis, replace Jay and that crew and do it at intermission imo.

Anyway, I know that I'm just one type of fan. I'm just bummed.

 

[Andy99]

I had center ice for a while, and no cable for a while (including now)so I had to stream, so I have heard a ton of games with the opposing broadcasters as well. I completely disagree. Errey is a great color guy imo. Though Mears was very replaceable.

Obviously it depends what you're looking for. I really don't care about deeper analysis, I'm watching to be entertained. I'll gladly take the guy that intentionally avoids getting in the weeds on negativity. That sounds like a positive trait to me. If you want to give better analysis, replace Jay and that crew and do it at intermission imo.

Anyway, I know that I'm just one type of fan. I'm just bummed.

Yeah, I’m looking for more insight from the folks broadcasting the game, both positive and negative, and equally about the opposing team as the home team…perhaps I’m weird that way…

 

[Ugene Magic]

Lange was play by play too, which is a very different job than the color guy. Also even if Lange called the games neutrally he was definitely not boring and you still came away from the game aware that he was a Pens fan.

Right, right. I consider Lange a bit of both while doing the legwork as the play by play. Sometimes the color guy being it Steigerwald/ Eddie O/ Errey/ Bourque fed right into his angle of the color side at times. Lange put in the time, research over the many years before the internet became reality.

Much like now, a quip comes up all they have to do is a finger dance on the keyboard. Also, he was a student forever taking puns/quotes and filtering them in.

For me, I don't think it is stepping on his toes to sprinkle some in, he'll always be known for the innovator of the style.

Case in point, Ryan Mill taking the reins after Barbaro passed away, Instead of elongating the last name he elongated the players first name.

If something works just try to change it up a little. I think Lange would be honored to keep it moving forward in some fashion.

I think it would go a long way to keep Lange's legacy at the forefront for the new fans growing up into regular fans.

It's giving everyone what they want. I like Getzoff, he's upbeat, clear voice, but he will also need to grow into some kind of stay at home kind of schtick or he will also go away like the dodo. But I think his personality is his greatest asset. He should have a talk with Lange about it, I'm sure he has to some form of getting some pointers. We'll see.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Right, right. I consider Lange a bit of both while doing the legwork as the play by play. Sometimes the color guy being it Steigerwald/ Eddie O/ Errey/ Bourque fed right into his angle of the color side at times. Lange put in the time, research over the many years before the internet became reality.

Much like now, a quip comes up all they have to do is a finger dance on the keyboard. Also, he was a student forever taking puns/quotes and filtering them in.

For me, I don't think it is stepping on his toes to sprinkle some in, he'll always be know for the innovator of the style.

Case in point, Ryan Mill taking the reins after Barbaro passed away, Instead of elongating the last name he elongated the players first name.

If something works just try to change it up a little. I think Lange would be honored to keep it moving forward in some fashion.

I think it would go a long way to keep Lange's legacy at the forefront for the new fans growing up into regular fans.

It's giving everyone what they want. I like Getzoff, he's upbeat, clear voice, but he will also need to grow into some kind of stay at home kind of schtick or he will also go away like the dodo. But I think his personality is his greatest asset. He should have a talk with Lange about it, I'm sure he has to some form of getting some pointers. We'll see.

for what it's worth I am not at all upset about changing from Mears to Getzoff. It's the color guy I'm curious and skeptical about being an upgrade. My first thought was Bourque coming with him and I genuinely dislike listening to him. He's such an old-school curmudgeonly meat-head. But based on the little I've seen, it doesn't seem like he's the plan.

Yeah, I’m looking for more insight from the folks broadcasting the game, both positive and negative, and equally about the opposing team as the home team…perhaps I’m weird that way…

I don't know that it's weird. It's certainly not weird for someone who regulars a hockey message board I'm definitely less of an X's and O's hockey fan and more just here to have a good time. I played enough to know what's going on at least, just point out the next level of detail to me when it comes up.

It's strange because when I watch football I love when they go deeper into that stuff. I guess it's just because I know way less about football and also because there is so much more downtime for replays and to dig in like that.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Sort of weird for them to change horses now. Should have just waited until the big guys retired to do a full on change-up.

Mears and Errey were employed by AT&T Sports/Warner Bros. Discovery. Their contracts essentially ended because the channel is ending and being bought by the Penguins.

Even if they technically had more years on their deals, it's a natural breaking point, especially if FSG has someone like Getzoff - who is a Penguins employee - that they'd prefer to do play-by-play.

 

[Pancakes]

Mears and Errey were employed by AT&T Sports/Warner Bros. Discovery. Their contracts essentially ended because the channel is ending and being bought by the Penguins.

Even if they technically had more years on their deals, it's a natural breaking point, especially if FSG has someone like Getzoff - who is a Penguins employee - that they'd prefer to do play-by-play.

Errey I get since he's been around forever but still a little surprised by the Mears change given he's young and was a hot commodity coming from NHL network.

I don't love Mears' work myself (I think he's just ok) but he seems like the kind of guy a broadcast would want to hang on to given his youth.

 

[Gurglesons]

bad taste is the only reason I can think of

I don't know, it's weird. I hear that online a lot. But I have never met a single person in real life who doesn't love Errey.


nationally, or within their own region?

Obviously I get that my evidence is 100% anecdotal, but I do wonder about the sampling group that talk to other people about hockey in the real world compared to the group that takes polls about regional broadcast teams

Both.

Which NHL broadcasts are the best? 2023 broadcast rankings, rated by fans

The winner jumped to the No. 1 spot after making a strong debut in last year’s ranking.

theathletic.com

27th. 25th locally. 28th nationally.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Both.

Which NHL broadcasts are the best? 2023 broadcast rankings, rated by fans

The winner jumped to the No. 1 spot after making a strong debut in last year’s ranking.

theathletic.com

27th. 25th locally. 28th nationally.

fair, I guess I just have a weird circle of friends and family