I think that Ball and Hrudey would actually be professional and neutral. Obviously they'd have more in-depth knowledge of the Flames as they have followed them all season, but I don't think that you'd be able to hear their arousal over the microphone like you can with Hughson. He's just a homer and there is no way to hide it, but I honestly don't think that he makes a conscious effort to do it.
Regardless, if you asked me in September if I'd take a playoff berth, even if Hughson ended up calling it, I'd consider that detail fairly trivial.
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