The Sunny Side of McNab and Haynes
by Nemesis44UK on Feb 13, 2012 9:45 AM MST
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PrintThis year, I have GCL. It has allowed me to choose my commentary and often I choose the away team's, so that I can gain a perspective on how my favourite team is perceived.
This has given me a new-found respect for McNab and Haynes.
I have grown up around football, (or soccer, if you will) and am used to the BBC's way of coverage. There are a group of commentators who do every match. For instance, one week, a commentator may cover the Manchester United/Newcastle game, a week later, he will cover the Fulham/Everton game. The announcers are not homers and have no particular allegiances.
I understand that the coverage model is very different than in the NHL, where each team have their own announcers and that is the job they do, day in and day out.
McNab and Haynes are often unfairly maligned IMHO. That's not to say they are perfect - far from it, but I think that they are "guided" in the type of comments that are allowed.
This has garnered the nickname "Sunnyside" McNab. In fairness, he is probably working within Altitude guidelines regarding any derisory or negative comments. This seems to be fairly standard procedure around the league with fellow sunny Islanders presenter Billy Jaffe not having his contract renewed for "his analysis not being positive enough."
I genuinely enjoy Haynes' delivery and he does especially well with generating excitement, (see Varly's sterling efforts in the 3rd period of the St Louis game). McNab does well and I have been advised by those who know far more than I, that McNab is a walking encyclopaedia on hockey and he has to toe the company line or hit the road. I can't quite remember when, but McNab was asked on air, during a game, what his favourite animal was and he was so taken aback by the question that he burst into peals of laughter. It certainly made me smile too as I think this was during one of the Avs' losing streaks this year.
Compare this with the frankly startling St Louis announcers as they win in overtime against the Avs.
"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" Screams the commentator, mistaking the win against a flaccid Avs team for when he met the doctor that cured his child's supposedly incurable cancer. In that situation, screaming THANK YOU!! at the top of your lungs like an orgasmic walrus might be appropriate.
Having said that, I still find that more acceptable than the ridiculous carry ons of the Penguins and DeadThings' announcers.
From DeToilet:
"So-and-so is going to the box for tripping."
"What a diver, jeez, look at that."
"We can see the replay, yup, easy decision for the ref."
"What? He dived, look at him"
"Er, Micky, you can see the stick yanking on that player's skates"
"Diving Euro Trash"
At least McNab/Haynes are not cynical, often praising the other team's players, perhaps too much sometimes, but even they were struggling to say positive things about Lapierre on Wilson and Powe on VDG.
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I think Haynes and McNab do a very fine job. Then again, I’m also partial to Moser, despite his description of opposing teams’ penalties as malicious atrocities, inducing side-splitting painful fits of rage from me, only to find out after the game that absolutely nothing of the kind occurred.
“THERE IS A POOL OF BLOOD ON THE ICE!!” ….. but no, there wasn’t even a drop
Mile High Hockey - Lucy is a b*tch
by MalachiConstant on Feb 13, 2012 10:16 AM MST reply actions
The “Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!” guy (John Kelly) was the Avs TV guy for the first ten seasons here. Filled in for Haynes a couple of years back during the playoffs as well when Haynes had his aneurysm.
All in all, I love Haynes and McNab. I don’t think Haynes has ever really gotten comfortable on TV.
Whiskey tends to make me high, and sad songs make me cry. Pretty women break my heart almost every night. I run on beans and nicotine; I'm a real, live buckaroo. And my heart's not pure, my boots ain't clean, and I never tell the truth.
I don’t think Haynes has ever really gotten comfortable on TV.
I feel the same way about Haynes. I’ve said this before, but I think he does a fairly poor job describing the game which really surprises me given his radio background. He does have a ton of hockey knowledge, a real enthusiasm for the game, terrific chemistry with McNab and he is very enjoyable when he really gets into the action. It’s just too bad that that doesn’t happen more often.
I like the duo. I think there are better tandems out there (Kelly and Pang for one, if truth be told) but we could definitely do a lot worse
DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.
by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 13, 2012 3:03 PM MST up reply actions
McNabb: You excited old man, wouldn’t mind a little more of a balance commentary.
Haynes: Nothing against him. He’s a Rangers fan, but they’re not in our conference and never will be.
Kyle Keefe: Take it down a notch. If that hurts your feelings, I’m sure the guys in your frat will console you.
Julie Browman: You are dull and probably know nothing about hockey. Sorry you didn’t make channel 4 news.
Mark Rycroft: He is awesome. If he didn’t have such a weasel voice he’d be even better. Keep up the balanced criticism and intimate knowledge of the game.
Brian Engblom: Spelling? Meh. Like him, too.
Overall, this isn’t the prettiest group of people ever, but I’m not so appealing myself, so I’ll cut them some slack.
"It's not my fault I never learned to accept responsibility."-Woody Paige
Mark Rycroft is the greatest thing to happen to Avs broadcasts since ever.
Mile High Hockey - Lucy is a b*tch
by MalachiConstant on Feb 13, 2012 1:55 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs
Pretty much. He knows a ton about hockey and is very good at explaining it in a clear and interesting way, is insanely likable, and is 100% a Avs homer but isn’t afraid to rip the team a new one when he sees fit. He’s also got a good sense of humor and is just fun to watch. I’m always upset when he’s not our analyst.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
and his smile cannot be wiped off his face…it is eternally tattooed on it…I enjoy him….
"Hey man, don't bogart that puck."
what his favourite animal was
Best moment of the year! LMAO, they had another hilarious moment and I tweeted Haynes to please thank him and he said he would haha… they’re awesome when they laugh.
Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.
Didn't McNab give three answers
and only one of them was a real animal?
by Andrew_in_Seattle on Feb 14, 2012 10:40 AM MST up reply actions
Mcnab is great. This season I have noticed much more than in years past…that he will not so much RIP the team in game, but he will point out certain players have to be better whereas in past years he would just ignore some horrible plays.
But, McNab walks a fine line and he does it excellent. You can tell he is a massive, massive fan of the sport & often his analysis is dead on. He is a little bit of a cheese ball, but he comes across as a genuinely happy person who never took anything for granted when it comes to enjoying hockey.
Haynes & McNab both rarely call the REFs into question, they will offer their opinions on the call often in a joking manner. McNab obviously researches and follows every opponent as he has a ridiculous wealth of prepared information or the guy is really an encyclopaedia of hockey. They don’t call the league out directly over issues often brought out by bad hits, etc. They brush upon topics with their general opinions without coming across as matter of fact.
Personally I enjoy them. They are both huge fans of the game, you can tell on a personal level they are huge fans of the Nords/Avalanche and are truly enjoying watching the draft picks of the last 5 years develop into stars.
Even watching a shitty game, they will find a way to entertain. Especially when the Avs are playing well, Haynes & McNab will both have a minimum of 2 laughing fits throughout the game. I can’t count how many times I’ve recorded comments from them and sent them along to buddies who couldn’t catch the games.
One of my favorite moments was last season (I forget the whole story but it involved a current or former Avalanche & his dog at the game) and Haynes said he asked the dog what his favorite penalty call was and he said “RUFFING” and continued to make other dog noise puns while McNab died and finally said “Are you done?”
Some viewers hate this, they want a professional approach at all times where every player & call is under scrutiny. Personally I hate this and the games are no fun to watch when it is a non-stop bitch fest about everything in the game. Some viewers love the home-team homers who could care less about the opposing team players and will just shit on them all game long.
You can argue Haynes & McNab are homers, but they are fans of the Avs and also fans of the opposing team but they certainly don’t favor calls, non-calls or anything like such.
Take Boston for instance. Jack Edwards is BY FAR the BIGGEST HOMER in the league. He worships all and anything Bruins and hates every single opposing team and player. He is…creative with his phrases, he calls a good game but for me personally, his hatred for the opposing team, his complaining about the calls & non-calls just drive me over the edge. I was born and raised a Bruins fan and the moment he signed & announced for Boston, aside from being a terrible team for so long ruined it all for me. But for the fans who like him, they love him and feel he is the best play by play voice in the game today. Dater has said he loves Edwards…. I will only watch the other feed if it’s available.
I some how deleted my comments about Haynes while posting..
Haynes is a good play-by-play guy. He doesn’t talk too much, he doesn’t over analyze, he gives a general idea of whats going on and engages with McNab in a entertaining way. IMO, there is no need for breaking down every stinking movement and play on the ice, after all I’M WATCHING THE GOD DAMN GAME ON TV, NOT THE RADIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t need to hear words and use my imagination to follow the fucking game!
by JoeSacc0wn3d on Feb 14, 2012 12:12 PM MST up reply actions
They talk too much!
When Haynes calls the game he is great but too often the game passes him and Pete by as they banter about bullshit! I would love to see them banter less and do the play by play more.
by Doctor Hockey on Feb 18, 2012 7:16 AM MST up reply actions
Mosier could do auctions
I’m really loving Marc Mosier, when the Avs broadcasts aren’t pre-empted by the Thuggets. His delivery is so fast, I feel like I’m listening to an auction at times. Last game I tuned into, on my way home from work, I heard one of the funniest things ever: “The puck is deflected into the crowd, and a young fan now has a souvenier. That kid is wearing a Blackhawks jersey, so Avs fans should do the right thing, and take the puck away from him….(long pause)… I’m just kidding.” LOL! Great stuff! I don’t think he was kidding.
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
I don’t really mind Haynes and Mcnabb I just think that they go waaaaay overboard on the love for certain players. I swear to god I can’t listen to kings games anymore because if I hear how talented doughty is again I may break my t.v. I think that Moser is a lot more exciting and would be a good replacement after Haynes retires. Maybe with Rycroft on the side.
It’s not even close. Haynes and McNab are very informative and easily the best duo in Colorado. They make watching 5-1 blowouts in Winnepeg fun. And Haynes didn’t change his style from radio. Which is a good thing.
The color guy for the Mammoth is a useless tool.
Chris Marlowe is annoying AF and Scott Hastings is a disgusting Bronco homer.
The Rockies ROOT guys can’t keep the same 2 in the booth for consecutive nights.
Reggie Rivers, Brian Griese, and Dave Logan can’t hold my Raiders’ broadcasting team of Greg Papa and Jim Plunkett’s jockstrap
Love the duo. And I’m actually not in love with Rycroft as everyone else, but Engblom is horrible. And yes, Julie Browman, GTFO
Roll Tide, Just Win Baby, Avs and Nuggets too
And any broadcaster should be a homer. They spend all day with these guys. If they are winning, it’s more fun to work for them. Yes, it’s generally a good thing to root for them.
Roll Tide, Just Win Baby, Avs and Nuggets too
But there is a limit to being a homer as well. Detroit’s “everyone who touches one of our guys is a penalty, but if we maul them it’s obviously a bad call” mentality is just plain stupid. The Blue Jackets guys are the same way. Just sucks the fun out of watching.listening to a game
2011-12 Colorado Avalanche: Ruling the East, but bending over for the Northwest
by chiavsfan on Feb 21, 2012 6:18 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Absolutely agree, Chiavs. It can really ruin a game.
I hate that ridiculous mindset where say, O’Brien holds a guy for a second and the commentators are up in arms: “That’s a penalty. Why isn’t the ref calling that” and yet, when one of their players is bear-hugging O’Brien on the ice for around 15-20 seconds, they don’t say anything.
Also, the last game I watched, some Blues player ran into an Avs player and bounced off him, falling on his tushi and the commentators went crazy, “WOW, he destroyed (Avs player) there”
Er, no, he really didn’t. Why not say what actually happens – not in that twisted delirium-induced version of real events.
"Wisdom requires a flexible mind" - Dan Carlin
I’m of the opinion that Haynes and Sunnyside are just about the right level of homer. They obviously cheer for our team (for example, when we score, I think Hayes is going to explode, but when the other team gets a goal, all he says is “shoot, score.”), but they don’t let it get in the way of telling us what’s going on in the game. Do I wish they would tone down the other team love-fest a bit? Yes. But at least both of them are neutral enough that they can admit when an Av gets smoked or makes a mistake.
Are they the best in the league? Probably not. But they’re decent, and we could do much, MUCH worse.
(I still think a Moser – Rycroft duo would be amazing though. We’d definitely have the most enthusiastic broadcast in the league if nothing else)
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.
Agreed. (obviously).
I love love love it when Haynes is about to explode: “Gallllliaaaarrrrrrdiiiiiiii……….SCORES”
I can’t stand that silliness (Penguins?) when the commentator says “Make me a milkshake, Malkin”
What?
For the record, I also hate European announcers who yell: “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL”
It’s stupid.
"Wisdom requires a flexible mind" - Dan Carlin
by Nemesis44UK on Feb 22, 2012 10:24 AM MST up reply actions
I just watched a game with the Panthers announcers and they were so dull that they would be comfortable calling golf.
"If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice." Conn Smythe
by Winter is Coming on Feb 25, 2012 8:06 PM MST reply actions
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