Derek Wills - like or dislike?

[Max Cow Disease]

Pretty solid so far in my eyes (ears). People's perception of him has probably been slightly elevated because of the relative serenity in Flames land right now, but he seems pretty technically sound and calls a tight game. As others have said, he'll be pretty damned good when he settles in.

[stone hands]

I think he's alright. Coming off of peter maher i'll give it a season or two before making a real opinion on the guy though. The pain of losing maher is still too deep to form an unbiased opinion on his work

So far though gotta echo what people are saying here: great in the booth, needs a lot of work otherwise

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by cKy

The Boston Radio guys have been doing it for years, I think it's a great way to pave the visual in your head while you are driving home from work and listening.

I thought they were being silly, AM is mono.

[Magnum PEI]

I'll echo what others have said, his pbp is fine, but I find his on-air personality to be unfriendly. I dont think him and Loubo have a good rapport, and often it gets heated. He'll throw in a "partner" or "buddy" in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.

I think his segments will get better after a while once he gets more knowledgeable about
the players and the team. It doesn't seem like he followed the Flames before he got the job so it might take a bit of time.

[bob-loblaw]

I like him so far. I find Wills and Loudardias don't have the greatest voices for broadcasting but they do well together. They seem to have a great rapport with each other and Steinberg as well. I think Wills slept in this morning and missed his segment on 960 which was kind of funny.

At least Wills keeping up with the play. Love Maher, but I found that there was a much bigger lag time between a goal and him calling it, or a whistle blown and him calling it as you'd hear it in the background for what seemed two seconds prior.

I think Wills does overkill it a bit with Hamilton mentions or that Monahan had the flu for the at the beginning of the season. He'll obviously have more material once he's been here a bit.

On a related note, I can't believe how we lucked out with Ball and Hrudey on TV. It feels like a every game we play is a national one. It's nice not hearing complaints on the GT thread about the broadcasting. Edmonton fans must seriously be wondering how Sportsnet picked these guys for us (hint: Edmonton is no good). Hrudey was a no-brainer because he lives here. Does anyone know if Ball moved out here or if he still lives in Vancouver?

In general everything has gone well this year - broadcasting, prospects, farm team, but especially the team. I can't complain at all.

[jaginla]

Originally Posted by bob-loblaw

I like him so far. I find Wills and Loudardias don't have the greatest voices for broadcasting but they do well together. They seem to have a great rapport with each other and Steinberg as well. I think Wills slept in this morning and missed his segment on 960 which was kind of funny.

At least Wills keeping up with the play. Love Maher, but I found that there was a much bigger lag time between a goal and him calling it, or a whistle blown and him calling it as you'd hear it in the background for what seemed two seconds prior.

I think Wills does overkill it a bit with Hamilton mentions or that Monahan had the flu for the at the beginning of the season. He'll obviously have more material once he's been here a bit.

On a related note, I can't believe how we lucked out with Ball and Hrudey on TV. It feels like a every game we play is a national one. It's nice not hearing complaints on the GT thread about the broadcasting. Edmonton fans must seriously be wondering how Sportsnet picked these guys for us (hint: Edmonton is no good). Hrudey was a no-brainer because he lives here. Does anyone know if Ball moved out here or if he still lives in Vancouver?

In general everything has gone well this year - broadcasting, prospects, farm team, but especially the team. I can't complain at all.

Ball and Hrudey are magic, I didn't mind Kerr but man these two are good.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

I don't like how he emphasizes the "oo" in Gaudreau. Goo-dro
Otherwise, he's ok, I guess. No Maher, but those are tough shoes to fill.

Goo-dro is exactly how you pronounce it.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Cheese

I think both the radio and TV personalities this year are excellent. The best weve had in years.

Of your 50 thanks I wonder how many have anything to do with Derek Wills?

Personally I like the other 3/4 your talking about.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Goo-dro is exactly how you pronounce it.

Maybe it's a boston thing but for 3 years they pronounced it the way it looks..God-dro

[greentree]

Wills is fairly generic but calls a good game overall--although his goal calls (he scores!) are just weird, sound like he's a proud papa cheering his kid who just dropped a deuce without a nappy for the first time.
I've also noticed awkward tension between him and the other guys...like he rubs them the wrong way. He does bring some good insight to the Hot Stove imo.
Loubardias i like a lot. Steinberg too.
Whatever happened to Rob Kerr...seems he is no longer involved with game broadcasts at all, since his TV work last year?

[StAlbertFlame]

I miss Peter Mahar as well; however, he is retired. Derek Willis is doing a great job filling the shoes of a Hall of Famer

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by T@T

Maybe it's a boston thing but for 3 years they pronounced it the way it looks..God-dro

If we want to be precise, it should be pronounced Go-dro with a roll of the R. His dad is Québécois and that is how it is pronounced in Quebec.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by greentree

Wills is fairly generic but calls a good game overall--although his goal calls (he scores!) are just weird, sound like he's a proud papa cheering his kid who just dropped a deuce without a nappy for the first time.
I've also noticed awkward tension between him and the other guys...like he rubs them the wrong way. He does bring some good insight to the Hot Stove imo.
Loubardias i like a lot. Steinberg too.
Whatever happened to Rob Kerr...seems he is no longer involved with game broadcasts at all, since his TV work last year?

Kerr is back on afternoon drive home radio. And good at it too. He's a good guy - I've been on the show and he was very nice.

[mhsyyc]

I've had the misfortune of listening to NHL calls from teams around the league. I found Maher to be heads and shoulders above the ones I listened to. I find Wills pretty average.

I agree with those who say it will take him time. We have to get used to him and he has to get used to the team and fans. My only issue with him - and with lots of other hockey announcers- is the seemingly endless reliance on sophomoric puns. You don't find too many of the greats doing that.

[JonDuke]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Goo-dro is exactly how you pronounce it.

I grew up in NB, and knew a few Gaudreau's. They were always pronounced more like G'dro. Not saying what is right or wrong, I just hate goo-dro

[tomo]

Wills is the wonderbread of radio play by play.
His delivery has the tone of a door to door bible salesman.

I can't stand his play by play, it's like nails on a chalkboard.
For this reason I am no longer listening to the Sportsnet radio broadcasts.

[vanisleflamesfan]

I've been working some strange hours this month and as a result, I have listened to far more games on the radio than I have seen on TV and my verdict is... I like him. I think he calls a very solid game and he is quite professional.

I think it's strange when people say that they don't like a PBP guy because of the sound of his voice. I get past that in about 4 seconds and just focus on his calling the flow of the game.

For my part, I think he is doing a great job and I think he will continue to get better. It has got to be tough to try and fill the chair of a guy like Pete while trying to put your own personal stamp on the call.

It's another 'W' for the Flaming 'C'!

[Bezer]

Put me in the"Like" category... This is month 2 not year 2..he will get even better.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

I grew up in NB, and knew a few Gaudreau's. They were always pronounced more like G'dro. Not saying what is right or wrong, I just hate goo-dro

Good luck with that. You'll have a better chance getting people to pronounce poutine as p'tin. Which also isn't happening.

[DeluxeMoustache]

All we need is for one of the radio guys to ask him for a correct pronunciation. It wouldn't be the first time

And I expect G'dro to be his answer