sorry, the repost made me do it.

If the defensemen are allowed to attack the puck

One of the things I really noticed during the FF game v. the Kings on Saturday was how much the D jumped on the offense. I saw Liles streak into the offensive zone a few times and even Footer went on the attack once or twice. One of the biggest changes this year, I have to believe, is the D on offense. Erie’s D-men called up last year were so all over that shit that I just can’t imagine Sacco will change his tune just cuz it’s the NHL. If it works, use it. Ya know?

I think we’ll see a quantum leap in the quality of the blueline this year

I just thought I randomly add that it is sad that the TV show Quantum Leap started being made a good 2 years before Radar and Boy Wonder were born…

When the team was great, for years and years, all of the positivity was fine because frankly, a lot of it was warranted. However, over the past few seasons, especially last season, Haynes and McNab often came accross as being very disingenuous because they had to toe the company line and continue to blow sunshine and rainbows up our butts. It may have been OK for the casual fan new to the game or something, but to true fans who really follow the game it was quite frankly insulting.

One of the greatest sports broadcasters ever, love him or hate him, was Howard Cosell. He was known for, in his own words, “telling it like it is.” Good and bad.

First of all, read this thread, and the comments (especially the last comment thread), there is no doubt that he is being muzzled to a significant degree. We can argue whether that’s the best policy or not, but there’s no doubt there’s a mandate to be positive. (For more evidence I’d also point out his Olympic coverage is different than his Altitude coverage. I think he’s overall a positive guy, which is a good thing, but on his Olympic coverage he points out when players make mistakes, etc.)

And second of all, I don’t think McNab has to rip the players, as I don’t see anything constructive to that, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a constructive criticism. As a color commentator his job should be to ass insight to the game and explain why a play went for, or against, the Avs. Ignoring anything bad the Avs do is not accomplishing this. Obviously Altitude has a different interpretation and expects him to be a salesman, but that’s why it’s frustrating.

And yes, being critical in a constructive and reasonable way will bring fans in. I think people generally enjoy something if they have a better grasp of it and more knowledge. He doesn’t have to rip someone but he could simply say “opposition was able to set up this play because of a mistake here by xxx. He probably should have played it this way.” That’s not negative or ripping a player, but it adds to the viewers experience Sheltering the viewers, not pointing out mistakes, and ignoring stuff when it’s going obviously wrong is a disservice to your viewers and doesn’t add any insight to the game. It also undermines his credibility. I like his positivity, I like his enthusiasm, and being critical and pointing out mistakes, (either the Avs or the oppositions) doesn’t mean he has to lose either of those qualities. But not telling us when someone makes a mistake is lying to us, and there’s nothing good about lieing to your viewers.

Frankly if the Avs lose 6-1 and him and Haynes are telling me the Avs are “unlucky” it’s frankly insulting my intelligence. There’s nothing wrong in saying “The Avs played a poor game tonight. They were a step slow, and they made some crucial mistakes. Let me break down this one….”

Darcy Tucker.

Darcy Tucker.

Darcy Tucker.

So what do you say when your friends lost 6-1 in an already busted season. “What can I say, the Avs had a tough break today and they just have to go back to the locker room and find a way to improve.” – cut

So, I have to ask, what would be his motivation to criticize his friends more and rub it in their face that they are tanking it.

This is where I would really have a problem. These aren’t or shouldn’t be, his friends, and he shouldn’t be holding anything back to spare their feelings. It’s not his job to help the team win, or to make people feel good about themselves. It’s his job to explain the action on the ice to the viewers.

I think you should really take advantage of free Center ice and watch a Sharks game. Drew Remenda is a fantastic example of what I’m talking about. He’s sharp, critical, and observant but none of the criticism is personal or vicious, but simply observatory. Very professional and very very good.

I love McNab, I think he’s great I just wish Altitude woulnd’t muffle him so much. I think he could teach me, and other fans, so much more if he didn’t have to be so positive that Barney might tell him to tone it down a little.