Toronto Sports Media Discussion Thread - v7 (2022 Edition)

[TheTotalPackage]

You and I are in the minority. HF Boards worships Johnny Roast Mackenzie (my friends and I nicknamed him that 30 years ago as he looks like Johnny Roast Beef from Goodfellas). He developed god-like status but to me he is as winded as all the other "insiders" - The flavour of the day is Elliotte Freidman, another guy who loves the sound of his own voice.

Agree completely with you both.

McKenzie became grating and his voice makes my ears bleed now. The whole Colin Campbell email thing pretty much solidified him being a douche like everyone else.

Friedman has also gone down the Bobby Mac road too. Used to be enjoyable to listen to, but now is completely insufferable.

 

[Peasy]

Yeah I used to love Bobby Mack but over the years it just kinda seemed like he became really full of himself. The whole Bobby Margarita shtick, for years (the ending of his career), being a TV ANALYST, he just refused to ever make any predictions. He just gave off the persona that he was too cool to be there answering questions.

Friedman has just turned into one of the biggest corporate jockeys. When the whole Kyle Beach stuff was going on he never reported about it until it was the safe thing to do. After that he said he won't do that again and will make sure to speak up about these types of issues. The Bruins sign Mitchell Miller this year and what does Friedman do? He rides the fence and doesnt criticize the Bruins for making the signing.

 

[kb]

Yeah I used to love Bobby Mack but over the years it just kinda seemed like he became really full of himself. The whole Bobby Margarita shtick, for years (the ending of his career), being a TV ANALYST, he just refused to ever make any predictions. He just gave off the persona that he was too cool to be there answering questions.

Friedman has just turned into one of the biggest corporate jockeys. When the whole Kyle Beach stuff was going on he never reported about it until it was the safe thing to do. After that he said he won't do that again and will make sure to speak up about these types of issues. The Bruins sign Mitchell Miller this year and what does Friedman do? He rides the fence and doesnt criticize the Bruins for making the signing.

Yup. This is not specific solely to him, or to sports media.....IME pretty much all reporters of any ilk are chickenshits who are slaves to their own 'popularity', not wanting to bite the hand that feeds.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Justin Bourne has written a book talks about life and his bout with being an alcoholic.

 

[Warden of the North]

He's an otherwise good host who should stop letting his ego drive conversations when he knows little about the topic he's thumping.

I mean, that's every sports radio host in the history of sports radio

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I don't mind Hayes. He's the host, he drives the discussion. He's not the sports expert.
Good voice for radio

His opinions take away from his ability to drive discussions though.

They are so arrogant and wrong that he is simply unwatchable, especially since the other two guys hardly make up for it.

Although hockey media has become mostly unwatchable for a long time. Other than breaking news and strong rumors, they shouldn't have a job.

 

[Apex Predator]

I think some people take the media too serious. Overdrive is not supposed to be taken serious. You have 2 hardcore leaf fans on it. They are the average leaf fan who are emotionally attached to the teams

 

[ACC1224]

I think some people take the media too serious. Overdrive is not supposed to be taken serious. You have 2 hardcore leaf fans on it. They are the average leaf fan who are emotionally attached to the teams

I find it odd that people bitch and moan about the media yet continually listen to it.

 

[Warden of the North]

If you guys think Overdrive is bad I urge you to listen to sports radio in any other Canadian market. It sounds like amateur hour in comparison. Half of the time every other Canadian market just compares everything to the Leafs "The Oilers lose 3-2 to the Blues......but did you see the bad play Mitch Marner made last night?!?!?" . The rest of the time theyre interviewing like random people. TSN Montreal interviews just like random old guys who as far as Ive been able to determine have no professional association with hockey whatsoever. I'm not talking about listener calls either, full on interviews to discuss the team. The one host will have random inside jokes with them. It's like if Mike From Buffalo had a regular appearance on Leafs Lunch but was an 80 year old Italian French Canadian guy.

 

[Nineteen67]

I find it odd that people bitch and moan about the media yet continually listen to it.

I dislike ESPN and most of their on air personalities and, other than live hockey games, havent watched anything on their networks in in yrs.

 

[rielledup]

Speaking of friedman, him and Anthony Stewart were asked to predict what order Marner, matthews, Nylander and jt would finish in for points and they both had Mathews either 3rd or 4th which makes absolutely no sense. He's already ahead of Nylander and JT and has had a slow start by his standards. It's a small thing but people who are paid to talk hockey should know better.

 

[francis246]

I find it odd that people bitch and moan about the media yet continually listen to it.

That’s why I say people on this board overreact, we have people who shit on overdrive daily but will listen to them everyday lol.

At the end of the day to get our hockey fix we have to listen to the media. In a lot of cases the media know better than us.

I never understand how people who are at home on their couch can legitimately think they know the game better than a former player who spent 10-20 years in the league… even if they have some bad takes, it’s impossible for the average fan to be able to have that kind of experience to comment on the game

 

[Stand Witness]

Friedman really is becoming horrible but he also has a ton of insight.

On the podcast today, he claimed that if he was Tage Thompson with 5 goals and a period and a half to go, running up the score to break the record wouldn’t be a big deal to him (in reference to Freidman personally).

“I can only judge others based on what I would do, and I wouldn’t care about the record”.

It just feels like such a lie and bs, but it led to a debate on the podcast so I don’t know if he believes it or just want content.

As if players/him wouldn't want the record. We just saw Marner set a Leaf record and EVERYONE on the team wanted him to get it.

 

[francis246]

I think some people take the media too serious. Overdrive is not supposed to be taken serious. You have 2 hardcore leaf fans on it. They are the average leaf fan who are emotionally attached to the teams

People need to understand sports radio and podcasts are not meant for riveting insights and amazing analysis.. it’s 100% meant for entertainment purposes. The hot takes, the arguments, the strong opinions are what sells. The crazy stories, the bitter ex player who has an opinion is amazing. A very small portion of hockey fans care about analytics talk and amazing insight. Entertainment sells, always. Hot topic discussions get more clicks.

 

[Peasy]

Speaking of friedman, him and Anthony Stewart were asked to predict what order Marner, matthews, Nylander and jt would finish in for points and they both had Mathews either 3rd or 4th which makes absolutely no sense. He's already ahead of Nylander and JT and has had a slow start by his standards. It's a small thing but people who are paid to talk hockey should know better.

Don't forget Anthony Stewart picking Jack Campbell for his Vezina prediction

 

[Twine Tickler]

I am sorry, but Julia Tocheri should not be hosting Leafs Lunch IMO. It's really nothing against her and her broadcasting skillset, I just don't think she is as invested in the team as someone needs to be while hosting a Leafs centric show.

I genuinely hate being the dude to shit on women in sports, because they get enough unsolicited bullshit just by being in a historically male dominated industry. But at the end of the day when you don't provide accurate takes on what is going on I feel like its worthy of being called out. I would say the same unpreparedness is shown with Adam Wylde on the Steve Dangle Podcast Network. They are both talented broadcasters, but they don't know the team intimately enough to host a show on the Leafs IMO.

In the first 5 minutes of the Leafs Lunch show today she referenced a Marner goal that did not occur, and she also said she wished the games were tighter in score so that there would be more excitement and give her more to talk about today.....excuse me what?? This is Leafs Lunch right?? I recognize this was said tongue and cheek, but it is comments exactly like these that give Toronto Maple Leafs fans a bad reputation league wide, and it's also a statement you'd never actually hear come out of any diehard Leaf fan's mouth.

if you can't fill an hour and half of content after a 7-0 win, or 15 straight games with points then I don't know what to tell you. If you are truly a fan of the team, this past month has been heaven.

I do think Julia is a talented host, and she has a place in sports media, I just don't think she should host a Leafs Lunch.

Andi Petrillo was far more invested in the team emotionally, and it showed in her work. I don't think this has anything to do with gender, it really has everything to do with devotion to the team you are hired to report on.

Am I alone on this?

 

[ACC1224]

I am sorry, but Julia Tocheri should not be hosting Leafs Lunch IMO. It's really nothing against her and her broadcasting skillset, I just don't think she is as invested in the team as someone needs to be while hosting a Leafs centric show.

I genuinely hate being the dude to shit on women in sports, because they get enough unsolicited bullshit just by being in a historically male dominated industry. But at the end of the day when you don't provide accurate takes on what is going on I feel like its worthy of being called out. I would say the same unpreparedness is shown with Adam Wylde on the Steve Dangle Podcast Network. They are both talented broadcasters, but they don't know the team intimately enough to host a show on the Leafs IMO.

In the first 5 minutes of the Leafs Lunch show today she referenced a Marner goal that did not occur, and she also said she wished the games were tighter in score so that there would be more excitement and give her more to talk about today.....excuse me what?? This is Leafs Lunch right?? I recognize this was said tongue and cheek, but it is comments exactly like these that give Toronto Maple Leafs fans a bad reputation league wide, and it's also a statement you'd never actually hear come out of any diehard Leaf fan's mouth.

if you can't fill an hour and half of content after a 7-0 win, or 15 straight games with points then I don't know what to tell you. If you are truly a fan of the team, this past month has been heaven.

I do think Julia is a talented host, and she has a place in sports media, I just don't think she should host a Leafs Lunch.

Andi Petrillo was far more invested in the team emotionally, and it showed in her work. I don't think this has anything to do with gender, it really has everything to do with devotion to the team you are hired to report on.

Am I alone on this?

Last nights game was pretty boring while Saturdays was incredibly entertaining. I'm sure most would agree with that.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Last nights game was pretty boring while Saturdays was incredibly entertaining. I'm sure most would agree with that.

I'll take a 7-0 boring win over a 4-3 nail biter any day of the week. Maybe I am alone on that. I can find plenty to talk about this team right now.

 

[ACC1224]

I'll take a 7-0 boring win over a 4-3 nail biter any day of the week. Maybe I am alone on that. I can find plenty to talk about this team right now.

I doubt you're alone and that's fine.
For me I'd rather be on the edge of my seat cheering for a win than waiting for a game that's in the bag to end.

 

[Warden of the North]

I am sorry, but Julia Tocheri should not be hosting Leafs Lunch IMO. It's really nothing against her and her broadcasting skillset, I just don't think she is as invested in the team as someone needs to be while hosting a Leafs centric show.

I genuinely hate being the dude to shit on women in sports, because they get enough unsolicited bullshit just by being in a historically male dominated industry. But at the end of the day when you don't provide accurate takes on what is going on I feel like its worthy of being called out. I would say the same unpreparedness is shown with Adam Wylde on the Steve Dangle Podcast Network. They are both talented broadcasters, but they don't know the team intimately enough to host a show on the Leafs IMO.

In the first 5 minutes of the Leafs Lunch show today she referenced a Marner goal that did not occur, and she also said she wished the games were tighter in score so that there would be more excitement and give her more to talk about today.....excuse me what?? This is Leafs Lunch right?? I recognize this was said tongue and cheek, but it is comments exactly like these that give Toronto Maple Leafs fans a bad reputation league wide, and it's also a statement you'd never actually hear come out of any diehard Leaf fan's mouth.

if you can't fill an hour and half of content after a 7-0 win, or 15 straight games with points then I don't know what to tell you. If you are truly a fan of the team, this past month has been heaven.

I do think Julia is a talented host, and she has a place in sports media, I just don't think she should host a Leafs Lunch.

Andi Petrillo was far more invested in the team emotionally, and it showed in her work. I don't think this has anything to do with gender, it really has everything to do with devotion to the team you are hired to report on.

Am I alone on this?

Nope.

I haven't listened to Leafs Lunch in over a year. It's unlistenable.

The best hockey content is on podcasts and it's not even close. The closest radio comes anymore is Overdrive's segments with Mike Johnson or The Jeff Marek show.

 

[stickty111]

I'd rather have no coverage than this

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Nope.

I haven't listened to Leafs Lunch in over a year. It's unlistenable.

The best hockey content is on podcasts and it's not even close. The closest radio comes anymore is Overdrive's segments with Mike Johnson or The Jeff Marek show.

I was listening to it one afternoon driving back from a soon to be renamed casino and some random valley girl sounding reporter was chatting with Al's brother and it was 97% cringe. I still catch Overdrive once in a while but without O'Neill it's kind of sad.

Whatever happened to Doug MacLean even he was more bearable than Noodles and Frankie Boreado.

 

[sxvnert]

Kyper and Bourne is decent (More for Bourne tbh). At least its two straight hours of leaf talk.

 

[willmma]

I'd rather have no coverage than this

That's Kyper stirring up crap
I can't stand him. But I still listen occasionally

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I'd rather have no coverage than this

It was basically Kyper saying it and using Tage Thompson as a comparable(the f***? lol) and the other two seemed audibly confused by the thought.