[News] Damien Cox becomes Sportsnet's lead NHL Insider: The Official SN Updates Thread

[WCW Nitro]

I'll never understand the hate for Sportsnet, other than Bob Mckenzie, is there really that much of a difference between the two networks? Oh no, we won't have Martin Biron analyzing games.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by WCW Nitro

I'll never understand the hate for Sportsnet, other than Bob Mckenzie, is there really that much of a difference between the two networks? Oh no, we won't have Martin Biron analyzing games.

Really? There's a massive difference. It's like president's choice cola and Coca Cola.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

for folks who don't recognize him or haven't heard of him, consider yourself lucky. He's toned it down a bit, but in my last 10 years in toronto, he has been the most obnoxious, site hit hungry at any cost, sports journalist in the country as far as i'm concerned.

He comes across as a know it all, until you see the point he is trying to make and the evidence he uses to back his argument. Then you just question how someone like this gets a job at a reputable news paper.

In short, he's a bald Dowbiggin.

[Deegee]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Really? There's a massive difference. It's like president's choice cola and Coca Cola.

I prefer Pepsi.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Really? There's a massive difference. It's like president's choice cola and Coca Cola.

It amazes me that people don't get how much this (which is true) has to do with the fact that it's regional coverage budgets versus a nation rights budget.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by WCW Nitro

I'll never understand the hate for Sportsnet, other than Bob Mckenzie, is there really that much of a difference between the two networks? Oh no, we won't have Martin Biron analyzing games.

I like some of the idiots on TSN more than the idiots on Sportsnet, and in case you're wondering I think Mckenzie is a phoney ass with zero personality, nothing he says opens my eyes, he got lucky with the hockey news when it was a real rag but a blind monkey holding a hockey stick could do his job ever since.

[badger89]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

It amazes me that people don't get how much this (which is true) has to do with the fact that it's regional coverage budgets versus a nation rights budget.

That's no excuse for poor personnel decisions.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by badger89

That's no excuse for poor personnel decisions.

While I actually agree budgets isn't the "full story", it's a big piece. Sorry, the best talent goes where the money is.............and the money is usually better where the budgets are bigger.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by T@T

I like some of the idiots on TSN more than the idiots on Sportsnet, and in case you're wondering I think Mckenzie is a phoney ass with zero personality, nothing he says opens my eyes, he got lucky with the hockey news when it was a real rag but a blind monkey holding a hockey stick could do his job ever since.

Really? Rarely does Bob say anything I think is totally wrong - if I disagree I generally see where he's coming from. He never just fills air-time with vague, hockey flavoured words, a go-to for most panelists. Other than Friedman I'm not sure there's another hockey commentator who meets that standard. Many of them frequently say things that just make no sense at all.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

It amazes me that people don't get how much this (which is true) has to do with the fact that it's regional coverage budgets versus a nation rights budget.

Are our broadcasts going national? No, we're still going to get high school level broadcasts from SNWest.


So like I said, huge difference between TSN and SN.

[Igster]

Hockey was really being built up and this 12 year deal with SN is going to drop it right back down again. These guys are so bushleague. Worst decision ever by the NHL, but they know it's Canada and we will put up with this crap because it's hockey. If this was the States, this deal would kill hockey.

[lanny9]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Are our broadcasts going national? No, we're still going to get high school level broadcasts from SNWest.


So like I said, huge difference between TSN and SN.

Exactly, the national coverage that SN will have should have a much higher budget and thus talent. We don't know what the talent will be yet, some newbies could come through, remember when TSN started Bob was a joke and now he is looked upon as the go to guy.

Of course the Flames and oilers etc will have smaller budgets that is to be expected, unless you can get more advertisers willing to pay much more for a local broadcast it will always be this way. But you aren't going to put national talent into a regional show. What you may have is more national "at the intermission" talent, but it will likely be used for the regional and national games that same night and then flip back to regional for an interview and back onto the game.

An example of this would be MLB, look at all the mickey mouse broadcasts that are out there on regionals, they are nothing compared to a national Fox broadcast. And those regionals are typically playing into much larger markets than Calgary or Edmonton and areas. Heck, look at TSN Winnipeg, brutal and is on par with the SN regionals imo.

At any rate, I am sure the NHL will be on top of it if they aren't representing the league very well to it's top audience.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

http://www.sportsnet.ca/damien-cox-j...-nhl-coverage/

What a mistake it was for the NHL to make this deal with Sportsnet.

I just threw up in my mouth.

[bubbsy]

in order for rogers to get this right, they need Friedmann playing a substancial role in the onscreen product.

if the big guns on the panel are cox, kypreous, or most of the current sportsnet panel, i think i'll be happy watching all the games, but definitely switching channels during intermission.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

for folks who don't recognize him or haven't heard of him, consider yourself lucky. He's toned it down a bit, but in my last 10 years in toronto, he has been the most obnoxious, site hit hungry at any cost, sports journalist in the country as far as i'm concerned.

He comes across as a know it all, until you see the point he is trying to make and the evidence he uses to back his argument. Then you just question how someone like this gets a job at a reputable news paper.

I agree about Cox, but he was a Star reporter, never made it to the G&M or one of the reputable newspapers.

[FaFaFlamey]

Ummmm, who cares?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by FaFaFlamey

Ummmm, who cares?

This website is called CalgaryPuck, where we discuss the Calgary Flames and other hockey related items.

99.9% of the people here have a passion for hockey. I care about the quality of the broadcast.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by FaFaFlamey

Ummmm, who cares?

Apparently you do enough to sign in, open the thread, and post in it.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by FaFaFlamey

Ummmm, who cares?

Clearly plenty of people do. Can you not read?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Freeway

"A" lead insider, not "THE" lead insider.

this needs to be quoted because it is a very important distinction.

We all know when Friedman joins Sportsnet he will be their lead insider.