Pre-Game Talk: Return of the Rat - Stanley Cup Finals '24: Edmonton vs. Florida

[CycloneSweep]

Who's better though. TNT has jumped the shark and is already shit. Snet is the devil we know. Toronto Sports Network is vile to me. If they had our contract we'd be downloaded tiers and importance to anything from golf to Raptors, Blue Jays and Frisbee tournaments. TSN makes "joined in progress" an art form. Careful what we wish for.


At least McLeod scored a goal and played well since being scratched the one game and is also very good at pk and one of our better defensive forwards.

Jumper cables wouldn't get Foegele moving.

With how TSN has basically destroyed their Western Canada footprint in every way, there was probalby no other bidder out here.

 

[K1984]

Night and Day. Sportsnet production is amateur hour with wildly erratic camera switches mid-play aka scoring chances that are discombobulating in their clumsiness. That this poor producer work is happening at all in the playoffs is stunning. Yet the frequency of poor switches is a constant every game.

Sportsnet on-air talent is brutal including a way overexposed Friedmann. TSN runs circles around them with their high quality production and on-air talent.

Oh my god, don't even get me started.

I don't know if there is anything I hate more watching sports than when they pan quickly to a player stepping on the bench as the play is breaking up ice. Like why? I wish one person could explain why they think it's more valuable to show a player walking onto the bench and sitting down instead of the actual play.

If I ever get divorced, it will be because my wife will be sick of me shouting "show the f***ing game!" every time they do this, or pre-empt showing a face-off because they couldn't get a graphic showing an irrelevant statistic pack off the screen in time.

 

[Oilhawks]

Night and Day. Sportsnet production is amateur hour with wildly erratic camera switches mid-play aka scoring chances that are discombobulating in their clumsiness. That this poor producer work is happening at all in the playoffs is stunning. Yet the frequency of poor switches is a constant every game.

Sportsnet on-air talent is brutal including a way overexposed Friedmann. TSN runs circles around them with their high quality production and on-air talent.

My not-so-bold prediction: by the end of the 11 years, Sportsnet will be hemorrhaging money and beg to not renew. Possible even that cable is 100% done (not fine...damn autocorrect) by then as well

 

[brentashton]

Oh my god, don't even get me started.

I don't know if there is anything I hate more watching sports than when they pan quickly to a player stepping on the bench as the play is breaking up ice. Like why? I wish one person could explain why they think it's more valuable to show a player walking onto the bench and sitting down instead of the actual play.

If I ever get divorced, it will be because my wife will be sick of me shouting "show the f***ing game!" every time they do this, or pre-empt showing a face-off because they couldn't get a graphic showing an irrelevant statistic pack off the screen in time.

But at least she’ll probably give you the TV in the settlement, knowing it was the cause of the break up.

PS - I hope that never happens to you.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Part of me always assumed that Sportsnet would catch up, and they looked like they were going to, then clearly there was someone who got into upper management who thought the amateurish non-sense was like their brand and here we are.

They blew their wad on the broadcast rights and failed to poach any of the TSN talent pool. There was a lot of speculation that the Jays run at Ohtani was being bankrolled as a complete brand repositioning strategy by Rogers to pivot away from hockey. The business case justification for moving off of their money losing bet on NHL hockey.

Unfortunately the Oilers were always going to re-up with Sportsnet. But the thought of a TSN produced presentation would have been great ideally with say only Gene and Jack Michaels kept on and everyone else flushed. Strudwick and/or Gadzic for intermission analysis and/or commentary. The dream is dead.

 

[JeffSkinner53]

Not really relevant now...but still kind of funny

 

[CycloneSweep]

My not-so-bold prediction: by the end of the 11 years, Sportsnet will be hemorrhaging money and beg to not renew. Possible even that cable is 100% fine by then as well

With them having the contract I could see a streaming service paying to get the streams or just buy the contract off of them.

 

[Pavel10]

Night and Day. Sportsnet production is amateur hour with wildly erratic camera switches mid-play aka scoring chances that are discombobulating in their clumsiness. That this poor producer work is happening at all in the playoffs is stunning. Yet the frequency of poor switches is a constant every game.

Sportsnet on-air talent is brutal including a way overexposed Friedmann. TSN runs circles around them with their high quality production and on-air talent.

TNT is actually impressive with the unorthodox strategy to have actual former NHL players discussing the game.

There is a reason everyone like Bieksa. Mclean and Friedman pretend they know what they're talking about but have zero tangible experience.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

They blew their wad on the broadcast rights and failed to poach any of the TSN talent pool. There was a lot of speculation that the Jays run at Ohtani was being bankrolled as a complete brand repositioning strategy by Rogers to pivot away from hockey. The business case justification for moving off of their money losing bet on NHL hockey.

Unfortunately the Oilers were always going to re-up with Sportsnet. But the thought of a TSN produced presentation would have been great ideally with say only Gene and Jack Michaels kept on and everyone else flushed. Strudwick and/or Gadzic for intermission analysis and/or commentary. The dream is dead.

At least we get Gadzik and Principe still.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Oh my god, don't even get me started.

I don't know if there is anything I hate more watching sports than when they pan quickly to a player stepping on the bench as the play is breaking up ice. Like why? I wish one person could explain why they think it's more valuable to show a player walking onto the bench and sitting down instead of the actual play.

If I ever get divorced, it will be because my wife will be sick of me shouting "show the f***ing game!" every time they do this, or pre-empt showing a face-off because they couldn't get a graphic showing an irrelevant statistic pack off the screen in time.

Amateur hour producing

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

My not-so-bold prediction: by the end of the 11 years, Sportsnet will be hemorrhaging money and beg to not renew. Possible even that cable is 100% fine by then as well

I think the broadcast rights will continue to fragment with streamers like Amazon dipping into NHL content. Apple has North American soccer. Sportsnet has been its own worst enemy as well with poor production and weak on-air 'talent.'

 

[Skar]

Where are you seeing a 2min delay? Its more along the lines of seconds. For NHL that is. Not sure about NFL as I never watch.

Also I've had radio, Cable broadcast, and streamed projector broadcast of games on at same time. Theres been about a 3sec delay from radio to either lagging behind and maybe 1-2 sec differential of stream vs Cable.

I've been using the Sportsnet app/streaming service. I had it nearly all season with the monthly subscription but cancelled it as the delay was so bad for me. I was getting less latency on pirated streams

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Its hard to separate out how Good Shesterkin was and how poor Florida finishing was.

Panthers don't have anything close to the guns we saw playing either Colorado or Vegas in past playoffs.

Other than Tkachuk who actually hasn't scored a lot these playoffs they don't really have too much in elite production.

Carter Verhaege is supposed to frighten us all? I mean in relation to say McD, Drai, Hyman, Nuge, Booch?

The Panthers offense in the Rangers series was indistinguishable from say the Canes offense against the Rangers and the Canes usually crumble in playoffs.

Who do the Panthers ever beat in a walk?

I agree with most of this.

The one thing I'll say is Swaggy is a clutch player. Much better player than Nuge.

*Do not sleep on Verhaeghe*

 

[McDoused]

At least we get Gadzik and Principe still.

Sounds like Gaz is off the panel

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799139573098000806

 

[brentashton]

TNT is actually impressive with the unorthodox strategy to have actual former NHL players discussing the game.

There is a reason everyone like Bieksa. Mclean and Friedman pretend they know what they're talking about but have zero tangible experience.

I watch a lot of TNT games and agree. They have created a vibe similar to their NBA production, which is no small feat. It’s interesting and fun.

Even if Biz isnt your cup of tea, Wayne, Ace and King Henrik are worth the price of admission. It’s heads above ESPNs delivery.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

TNT is actually impressive with the unorthodox strategy to have actual former NHL players discussing the game.

There is a reason everyone like Bieksa. Mclean and Friedman pretend they know what they're talking about but have zero tangible experience.

TNT follows its successful NBA model only personally I'd flush the goofball Bissonette and let the adults talk hockey. Cross marketing with their NBA talent is also smart business. Just a whole different level of industry sophistication in all respects.

Having analysis done by non-players whether Maclean, Friedman or locally Stauffer is a joke. Bieksa and Luke G. who is emerging into a solid (albeit maybe a bit too homerish) and Botterall who have all played apex level of competition. They can dissect play, speak first hand into the mental aspect and team dynamics of the moment. Both are also succinct, clear communicators.

 

[Paralyzer]

Sounds like Gaz is off the panel

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799139573098000806

What? No Gazdic? Don't tell me they gave into those Canuck Snowflakes?

 

[JeffSkinner53]

I always knew canucks fans were soft, never realized how soft

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Sounds like Gaz is off the panel

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799139573098000806

Unfortunately Luke was going to get a time out after going off on a thin skinned coastal fanbase. The network had really no choice but to step back on this. But Luke is a promising media guy - I've really enjoyed his long form interviews.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Sounds like Gaz is off the panel

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799139573098000806

Boourns to that, no more Hrudy, just ever.

 

[bobbythebrain]

I watch a lot of TNT games and agree. They have created a vibe similar to their NBA production, which is no small feat. It’s interesting and fun.

Even if Biz isnt your cup of tea, Wayne, Ace and King Henrik are worth the price of admission. It’s heads above ESPNs delivery.

Yup. Sucks it's over before it had a chance to takeoff

 

[Oilhawks]

Sounds like Gaz is off the panel

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799139573098000806

"Thanks for renewing for 11 years, we caved in to the softest fanbase in the league and removed one of the only panelists that is in your corner"

f*** Rogers, f*** Sportsnet, now & forever

Never forget, they mocked the team for the loss to the Avs on multiple social media avenues.

They are not our friends. Vote with your wallets

 

[Little Fury]

For the love of God why is Knob running nurse and ceci in practice today?

IN KNOB WE TRUST

 

[Little Fury]

"Thanks for renewing for 11 years, we caved in to the softest fanbase in the league and removed one of the only panelists that is in your corner"

f*** Rogers, f*** Sportsnet, now & forever

Never forget, they mocked the team for the loss to the Avs on multiple social media avenues.

They are not our friends. Vote with your wallets

Did they ever issue an apology for that or just delete the content and move on?

As for Gaz being off, it wouldn't surprise me if he was never set to be on there, he's the newest member of that panel. Maybe that's why he went off on that podcast, he knew it wouldn't hurt him lol.

 

[Oilhawks]

Did they ever issue an apology for that or just delete the content and move on?

As for Gaz being off, it wouldn't surprise me if he was never set to be on there, he's the newest member of that panel. Maybe that's why he went off on that podcast, he knew it wouldn't hurt him lol.

I don’t think they ever apologized, just swept it under the rug. I could be wrong though

That’s a good point, could have been a pre-planned “lowest on the totem pole” sort of thing like Singh & DeBrusk