NHL Broadcast Ranking | HFBoards - NHL Message Board and Forum for National Hockey League
Toggle sidebar

NHL Broadcast Ranking

Bounces R Way

Bounces R Way

SILLY SZN
Sponsor
Nov 18, 2013
34,687
68,010
Weegartown
Thread title says it all, rank your favourite and least favourite NHL broadcasts. Do as many as you feel. If you don't watch other teams then maybe say something about your local.

Best

1) Loving TNT so far. Been waiting a long time for a hockey program that doesn't take itself too seriously. They get one minus for employing Eddie Olczyk.

2) HNIC, not what they used to be but still provide a decent product. Been hit or miss the last couple seasons but usually at least do some kind of analysis. Production is good compared to regular SN.

3) TSN, don't really see much of them anymore since they just do local broadcasts for a select few Canadian teams. Still like the panel for the most part and they do have Gord Miller.

4) MSG Rangers, the best local broadcast IMO. Mostly just like Sam Rosen and their intermission guy.

5) AT&T Sportsnet(VGK)
6)Bally Sports Southwest(Dallas Stars)

HM Sportsnet Flames have stepped up their game after being one of the worst for a lot of years. Rick Ball is great, like Ryan Leslie, Hrudey is an idiot but at least he's an affable idiot. No longer feat. Eric Francis so that's good.

Worst

Altitude(Avalanche), seems like their whole thing is to be as corny as possible. Once and a while they make me laugh.

Ducks/Preds/Panthers, just don't like the crews mostly.

Sportsnet Oilers, didn't think they could do worse than Kevin Quinn but Jack Michaels rises to the challenge. He is awful. Principe needs his own traveling comedy show that exclusively plays empty bars at 2 in the afternoon.

ESPN, man they have sucked. Was hoping they could at least pass the low bar NBC set but early indications are not looking good. Leah Hextall really has no business being a PBP caller. Don't mind her generally but is not in the right role. Their studio looks like it should be for a breakfast show.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FlamerForLife, FMichael and Richard Lather
I really like John Buccigross when he does the ESPN broadcasts and it’s my favorite when he’s doing it, Leah Hextall does suck though and is the worst, I’ve given her the benefit of the doubt, but she hasn’t gotten any better. Same with Kevin Weekes should not be a color commentator, he’s great for Post Game highlights though.

Kraken’s broadcast is great

TNT is pretty good, basically NBC copy though

NHL Network broadcasts suck, EJ needs to stick with post game highlights and again, same thing for Kevin Weekes as above.
 
The Best is whoever has Chris Cuthbert.
Second best is the local Lightning broadcast because they somehow have Dave Randorf.
 
Homer vote for Brendan Burke, though I suppose the sometimes over the top homer Butch Goring brings down the duo's ranking a tad.
 
Quack Shot said:
I really like John Buccigross when he does the ESPN broadcasts and it’s my favorite when he’s doing it, Leah Hextall does suck though and is the worst, I’ve given her the benefit of the doubt, but she hasn’t gotten any better. Same with Kevin Weekes should not be a color commentator, he’s great for Post Game highlights though.

Kraken’s broadcast is great

TNT is pretty good, basically NBC copy though

NHL Network broadcasts suck, EJ needs to stick with post game highlights and again, same thing for Kevin Weekes as above.
Click to expand...
I’m pretty sure you haven’t watched the TNT broadcasts if that’s your take.
 
Kranix said:
The Best is whoever has Chris Cuthbert.
Second best is the local Lightning broadcast because they somehow have Dave Randorf.
Click to expand...
Yeah I was watching a Lightning broadcast and noticed Randorf. Seems strange as he was doing Habs games a few years ago. Good for him though. He is a great PBP guy
 
Watched a TNT game for the first time last night, reminded me of TSN during free-agent frenzy when there is a lull, only more forced. I get they’re just trying to copy that basketball program with Barkley and Shaq, but it comes off unnatural, and more for a casual hockey audience.

Also, as an admitted Matthews homer, who has seen every game he has played - I’ve never heard him talked about so much during a broadcast. He was talked about less during his draft than any 5 minute segment of that broadcast. Just constant, never ending slobbering, during his shift, then a re-hash of his shift, then some story about him during a whistle, and even more coming back from a commercial. For 3 periods, without end. If it’s too much for a Matthews-homer than it’s just too much.

For these reasons I wouldn’t watch them again. Best, IMO, is TSN when they have the right panel going. They know who their audience is and can transition well from joking around to serious coverage.

HNIC is slightly above TNT, perhaps even tied for the worst. They’ve gone full woke, and jelly-spine MacLean isn’t nearly as tolerable without Cherry. Basically you could pull Friedman, Bieksa, and BobbyMac’s kid out and burn the rest down.
 
Chicago has gone from pat foley to clowns that can’t even follow the game, mispronounce names all the time, and generally are unlistenable tone wise. Foley is one of the best and occasionally does home games now. If it’s a road game, I’ll stream the opposing teams announcers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lt Dan
Cotton said:
HNIC is slightly above TNT, perhaps even tied for the worst. They’ve gone full woke, and jelly-spine MacLean isn’t nearly as tolerable without Cherry. Basically you could pull Friedman, Bieksa, and BobbyMac’s kid out and burn the rest down.
Click to expand...

HNIC improved immensely when Hughson retired. If only Ron MacLean, who has become completely intolerable in Cherry's absence, would do the same.

I'd also keep Cuthbert, Botterill, Amber, Singh (who has some potential, just needs more experience) and Galley if he can get back to his form during regional Senators games.

Assen na yo!
 
Any production with Ray Ferraro and Gord Miller calling the games is the best product. Love this combo when they cover the Sens on TSN (regional).
 
The kings broadcast use to be the gold standard, now its an unwatchable. Maybe I was spoiled with Bob or he just handled Fox better. The current duo spend more time talking about random BS then the hockey game that it feels like a podcast. I consistently watch kings games on the opposing teams stream. They are on the level of the ducks/pens/avs.
 
Quack Shot said:
I really like John Buccigross when he does the ESPN broadcasts and it’s my favorite when he’s doing it, Leah Hextall does suck though and is the worst, I’ve given her the benefit of the doubt, but she hasn’t gotten any better. Same with Kevin Weekes should not be a color commentator, he’s great for Post Game highlights though.

Kraken’s broadcast is great

TNT is pretty good, basically NBC copy though
Click to expand...


Aside from agreeing Leah Hextall is unbearable... the exact opposite of this.

Buccigross and the Seattle broadcast are both unlistenable for me.

I actually wanted to watch part of the Wings game on Wednesday night and had to switch over to the Spanish version... I'm not joking, and I don't know Spanish.
 
Good: TSN, TNT, NBC-Philly or anything else with Jonesie, NBC-Chicago, Panthers (I like their announcers), Bally Sports in general (Like them more now than when they first took over)

Not as good: ESPN, Lightning (mainly just don't like the guy Engblom's voice), LA Kings (too much dumb stuff like Snoop Dogg)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Latest posts

Ad

Ad

Top Bottom