Comments on: ESPN, Coming Around?

By: NS2NOVA

NS2NOVA — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:11:01 +0000

Now they just have to learn the difference between Backstrom and Semin and post up the right photo.
And I thought the Nicklas / Niklas Backstrom confusion was bad enough.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:47:39 +0000

“Melrose said he thought the Caps were going to win the East. Not saying much considering he thought he could help Tampa Bay become an elite team again, but at least they hit closer to the bullseye.”
Read: “After having gotten my ass kicked by Washington earlier this season, I think this team’s really got a chance to win the East this year!”

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:00:11 +0000

At least they got something right–Melrose said he thought the Caps were going to win the East. Not saying much considering he thought he could help Tampa Bay become an elite team again, but at least they hit closer to the bullseye.

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:20:07 +0000

Dan,
I share completely your disdain for ESPN and its general dumbed down/superficial-schlocky approach to sports broadcasting. It’s nauseating. And insufferable. A few years back there were whispers of Comcast having designs on emerging as a national sports broadcast competitor. Would that that would happen. As for the NHL, I also agree that given its treatment by ESPN, it ought never to look back and slow dance again with they who jilted. But with Bettman at the helm still, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hat in hand in Bristol any month now. For shame.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:04:03 +0000

While I enjoy the coverage and I think its great that they credited the correct source and are actually treating hockey like its a sport, I still would rather not enter into some unholy matrimony with ESPN. It would sicken me to see the team sport of hockey perverted into the star-first, network commodity that many of the other sports have become. With the NBA, College Football, Baseball,etc. ESPN has become part of the story instead of just covering it. Their “experts” are more than a little questionable and seemingly their only interest is creating a “product” to increase their ratings. When they don’t have a TV contract with a sport (see hockey now and NASCAR a few years ago) they don’t even give it second page coverage, regardless of the quality of the acheivement. Why should we be in such a hurry to jump back into bed with them?

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:01:04 +0000

ESPN SportCenter featured the Caps/Pens game this morning with Melrose and Barnaby along with several minutes of highlights and discussion. And a Top 10 highlight as well! Nice.

By: ncmayhem

ncmayhem — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:30:03 +0000

I noticed this yesterday as well. Sportcenter was actually hyping the came beforehand. I was surprised that hockey was actually getting coverage but it’s great to see again. Maybe the NHL can think about leaving Versus and going back to ESPN.