NESN UPDATE - NESN’s Jack Edwards announces retirement

[Shroud of Orrin]

Vanilla doesn't do it for me when you've been watching hockey for >50 years and experienced the very colourful. Next thing you know AI will be calling the the game...

 

[DGS]

Faust was just...fine. But I've come to expect some unexpected with Jack at the call, and it's part of what I look forward to watching hockey games, where my intent is to be ENTERTAINED. Similarly, this is why I'm most excited for Marchy's captaincy. There's plenty of robots out there on the ice and in the booth. I like getting glimpses that our guys have personality. That they are real people, not video game NPCs. Certainly no one can debate that both are passionate about what they do.

I hope Jack is feeling good and we get some quality entertainment along with perhaps some occasional trainwrecks in this 100th season, and that he goes out on his own terms whenever he decides to send it down the river.

 

[ODAAT]

Had absolutely no issues with Faust but I`m an unapologetic fan of Jack while being able to acknowledge he can be over the top often too

 

[Si Hopkins]

Jack is going to be a hard act to follow. You can only be more boring than Jack Edwards. I realize things have changed, the genius improv and rapid fire hockey comedy poetics have gone sour. We need a fresh take and steady and stable is important, but we've had a one of a kind situation here for a long time. Gonna get dull, I'm afraid.

On the other hand, Jack should be given some NESN studio time or WEEI time or just start a podcast and go bananas once or twice a week. Start a TikTok Jack and unleash a new beast.

 

[Gordoff]

Vanilla doesn't do it for me when you've been watching hockey for >50 years and experienced the very colourful. Next thing you know AI will be calling the the game...

YES, he was very Ai IMHO. He has no fire, no real enthusiasm and was Mr. Everywhere. Reminds me of the guy who does the Bernie & Phyls ad on TV. I hat listening to things on Ai on YouTube and this guy was way too bland. I don't mind seeing Jack cut down and then retire but this Faust guy, to me was like their new jerseys. Too far the other way.

 

[Fenway]

I agree. It was annoying because I had to keep trying to look hard at player numbers to know who was who since he wasn't calling certain names when they had the puck. I assumed he didn't have much time to prep for the game.

We didn't get game notes from the Bruins until Sep 24, 2023, 5:59 PM - 14 minutes after the game started

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I agree with what you say, however I'd argue we've already reached that point. Last year cinched it for me....

I feel for the guy, I really do. Its tough to walk away from a job you love. But its time.

Yeah I'd say we are, just about. Last year definitely wasn't good. But being the Centennial I think it would be fair and a reasonable decision to give Edwards one more year. Not just out of charity but because having a familiar voice and avid, long-term fan call this milestone season makes sense. But as I said in a previous post, start the transition throughout the season and then move on definitively next year. I could live with that.

 

[smithformeragent]

Sign me up for Team Vanilla!

 

[jgatie]

Sign me up for Team Vanilla!

I like to think of it as Team Professionalism. Or Team No Clown Shoes.

 

[PlayMakers]

Faust was very clean and professional. I get why folks would view that as bland… When Jack was on his game he was fun as hell to listen to. Funny, animated, excited… Maybe they could get that from a more colorful color guy?

 

[Ludwig Fell Down]

We didn't get game notes from the Bruins until Sep 24, 2023, 5:59 PM - 14 minutes after the game started

I see the Bruins are giving their usual level of effort to producing game notes

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Jack does this last season. Home games only.

Hire Faust for away games and then have Faust take over full time in 2024-2025

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Faust was very clean and professional. I get why folks would view that as bland… When Jack was on his game he was fun as hell to listen to. Funny, animated, excited… Maybe they could get that from a more colorful color guy?

Yeah I'm a big fan of Jack Edwards, but I thought Faust was really good. I'm okay with that direction if that's how they decide to go.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

My main issue with Jack is he tries to be funny a lot and he bats like .030 in that department.

I don’t imagine my average is much better, but the entire Bruins fanbase isn’t essentially obligated to listen to me.

 

[Alicat]

Jack is back tonight

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

Jack is back tonight

I was wondering that - thank you Ali!

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Scouting Jack will be the main takeaway from tonight's game.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

Scouting Jack will be the main takeaway from tonight's game.

Laughed irl. So true.

 

[missingchicklet]

Scouting Jack will be the main takeaway from tonight's game.

I hope the board servers can handle things if both Heinen and Jack suck tonight.

 

[Kovi]

Yeah I'm a big fan of Jack Edwards, but I thought Faust was really good. I'm okay with that direction if that's how they decide to go.

Let come what must....tragic.


*I miss Fred and Derrick. Be as mad as you want at me.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

This is Jack's first game with Brad as Captain and Milan back in? Against the...what would Jack call them..."the unlovely Sabres"...I'm thinking he may get over-excited...again.

 

[chizzler]

Faust needs to come in. I can’t take it. Now I’m looking for it.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

Jack already struggling and the game hasn't even started. I truly like Jack and hope someone steps in and saves him from himself soon

 

[Dellstrom]

Jack is going to be a hard act to follow. You can only be more boring than Jack Edwards. I realize things have changed, the genius improv and rapid fire hockey comedy poetics have gone sour. We need a fresh take and steady and stable is important, but we've had a one of a kind situation here for a long time. Gonna get dull, I'm afraid.

On the other hand, Jack should be given some NESN studio time or WEEI time or just start a podcast and go bananas once or twice a week. Start a TikTok Jack and unleash a new beast.

I hope so. He'd be good on the pre game and intermission show or something. Knowledge and passion for the game is absolutely still there and would hope he has a job for as long as he wants one.

Speed of the game and keeping up for 2+ hours over 70+ games has caught up to him but think he'd be able to stick around as a personality for a long time.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

Most notable thing for me about Jack tonight is that he made a conscious effort to talk slower and make sure he could get his words out properly. Clearly something he's been working on in the offseason, probably with professional help. It worked, in so much that he tripped over himself less often. But it doesn't sound natural and it feels like he's battling, which for a commentator obviously isn't good. The play-by-play was ok, he's still pretty good at working out who's who, but the delivery just ain't what it used to be.

Other thing that struck me was this - we had multiple Sabres fans pop in to the GDT to say 'what's up with Jack?' and express concern. The guy who was once hated by the opposition is now an object of pity. And you have to ask, for a self-confessed homer and Bruins fanatic, is that how he wants to go out, as someone other folks feel sorry for and wince over? That's tough.

It's one game and perhaps things will get better. But NESN are going to have to handle this very carefully. Not confident they're capable of that.