Your Favourite Play-by-Play and Colour Guy Combo? (Non-Flames)

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by Hey Connor, It's Mess

I actually quite like Louie Debrusk as a colour guy. He's not the typical Oilers kool-aid drinker and is often enjoyable to listen to. He was very good as a replacement for Hrudey a few times in the last couple years on the Flames broadcast.

Gord Miller and Ray Ferraro are probably my favourite duo, even if Ferraro can be grating to listen to at times. The two have great chemistry.

Agreed on this, Debrusk is great. In the event we ever lose Hrudey, I hope its Debrusk who takes his spot. I am a firm proponent that all colour analysts should have had NHL experience or at least pro mens hockey, whether its as a coach or a player.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Agreed on this, Debrusk is great. In the event we ever lose Hrudey, I hope its Debrusk who takes his spot. I am a firm proponent that all colour analysts should have had NHL experience or at least pro mens hockey, whether its as a coach or a player.

If a guy like Badger Bob was alive and they put him on colour, I'd listen.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

If a guy like Badger Bob was alive and they put him on colour, I'd listen.

He would have been great to listen to indeed. As mentioned for an NHL broadcast, at a minimum a color analyst should have some mens pro hockey experience, be it a coach or a player. Unless they have immense experience as a broadcaster in the game. Hence Loubardias can do the job.

[Mike F]

Mike Emerik and John Davidson were great before he went to management.

Gord Miller said Ray Ferraro, particularly at the World Juniors.

Chris Cuthbert and Ferraro.

In theory, Don Whittman's corpse doing both roled

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I like most PBP guys that we get in Canada. Except the crappy leafs mackinaw guy. He’s awful. And I don’t hate Willis on the Fan but he does a weird squeaky voice thing, not unsimilar to what Loubo used to do with his skeeeeeeeores thing. And I don’t like his analysis at all. Does an decent job with the actual game calls tho.

But doing colour is way tougher and I can hardly think of anyone I really like. Hrudey is ok but I prefer him as an analyst. Debrusk and Johnson aren’t bad. Ferraro and McGuire can be good but have faults. Both are very knowledgeable. Ferraro can be such a negative Nancy he’s annoying sometimes. He harps on everything. He doesn’t analyze, he picks apart the teams/players. McGuire’s issues are well documented, he talks too much.

Most other guys are poor IMO. All the way back to Harry “24 foot 2 inch wrist shot” Neale. Don’t like Greg Millen, Craig Simpson, John Garrett, Mike Rogers (now retired) etc. I find them all grating. They talk too much, their insight isn’t very good, they complain too much. To be fair though, it is way harder than PBP. Colour guys are expected to come with analysis on the spot. That’s way more difficult than just describing what’s happening. Not that PBP is easy though.

Best colour guy in the business right now is Loubo. He’s excellent on the radio broadcasts.

[soulchoice]

Just watched parts of the Leafs Stars game tonight and it's always a pleasure listening to Cuthbert and Ferraro. It's a shame Cuthbert isn't on the national broadcasts for hockey and the only time we get to hear him for the most part is the CFL(he is above that).

[Hockey Fan #751]

Ed Whalen and Scotty Bowman

Peter Maher and Doug Barkley

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Agreed on this, Debrusk is great. In the event we ever lose Hrudey, I hope its Debrusk who takes his spot. I am a firm proponent that all colour analysts should have had NHL experience or at least pro mens hockey, whether its as a coach or a player.

DeBrusk is back doing Oilers games (replaced Remenda) so probably unlikely he takes the Flames gig since he lives in Edmonton. He is great, though.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751

Ed Whalen and Scotty Bowman

Peter Maher and Doug Barkley

Non Flames. But I didn't really like Barkley. I liked Rogers more. Loubo is better than either.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751

DeBrusk is back doing Oilers games (replaced Remenda) so probably unlikely he takes the Flames gig since he lives in Edmonton. He is great, though.

Well in that case I certainly hope if the time comes that we lose Hrudey, there is a former NHL player/coach with colour experience living in Calgary to take Hrudeys place full time. Or just give it to Loubo.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Well in that case I certainly hope if the time comes that we lose Hrudey, there is a former NHL player/coach with colour experience living in Calgary to take Hrudeys place full time. Or just give it to Loubo.

Sutter would be hilarious on colour.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Sutter would be hilarious on colour.

He would be great. Witty sarcasm, plus direct experience in every aspect of the NHL game. Coaching, management and as a player so his insight as a colour analyst would be relevant. Sportnet, start training Sutter for the camera!

Loubo would be great too, as his knowledge of the game and the league is unmatched. Plus his vast experience in broadcasting. He is one of few I’d be ok with being the colour analyst despite lack of playing or coaching in mens pro hockey.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Non Flames. But I didn't really like Barkley. I liked Rogers more. Loubo is better than either.

Oh man I loved cranky and crusty old Doug Barkley.
Indeed Maher/Barkley would be my favorite combo.
Of course it is also the SC combo and the team I grew up listening to, so no surprise they are my favorites.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Sutter would be hilarious on colour.

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Oh man I loved cranky and crusty old Doug Barkley.

Barkley / Sutter.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Oh man I loved cranky and crusty old Doug Barkley.
Indeed Maher/Barkley would be my favorite combo.
Of course it is also the SC combo and the team I grew up listening to, so no surprise they are my favorites.

I grew up with them too. Though I don't think I listened to a single 89 game on radio. I watched them all.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Non Flames. But I didn't really like Barkley. I liked Rogers more. Loubo is better than either.

Oops, missed that. I read through the whole thread and was perplexed how Ed Whalen wasn't mentioned. Guess I know why now!

I actually liked Jim Hughson and Gary Green back in the day, before Hughson went full Canuck.

[habernac]

Gallivan and Irvin were terrific. Damn, he retired after the 84 playoffs.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

He would be great. Witty sarcasm, plus direct experience in every aspect of the NHL game. Coaching, management and as a player so his insight as a colour analyst would be relevant. Sportnet, start training Sutter for the camera!

Loubo would be great too, as his knowledge of the game and the league is unmatched. Plus his vast experience in broadcasting. He is one of few I’d be ok with being the colour analyst despite lack of playing or coaching in mens pro hockey.

I don't think Sutter suffers fools gladly. He would make the entire SN team cry.

[OmegaV4]

Gary Thorne / Bill Clement
What a classic duo.

"OFF THE FLOOR, ON THE BOARD, PAUL KARIYA!"

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Oh man I loved cranky and crusty old Doug Barkley.
Indeed Maher/Barkley would be my favorite combo.
Of course it is also the SC combo and the team I grew up listening to, so no surprise they are my favorites.

I have a very specific memory of Barkley saying "there's Gretzky whining to the ref again".

You put it well, he was crusty. Loved listening to those guys.