Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Top Rangers, Quick Hits

First!

It seems like some fans were more critical of the Flyers' organization for getting rid of the ice girls than they were for not winning a Stanley Cup since 1975. That's some strong Kool-Aid.

Putting aside everyone's opinion on the role of fighting in the sport.....

The Rangers' are another team whose fans and announcers, like the Pens, who think other teams' tough players are garbage and their own tough guys are good, hardworking boys just doing their best by the team. It's a neat little bit of blind homerism.

Tangentially, I've never quite understood why Joe Micheletti gets so much national work. I can't believe these networks can't do better than people like Micheletti or Pierre.

Putting aside everyone's opinion on the role of fighting in the sport.....

The Rangers' are another team whose fans and announcers, like the Pens, who think other teams' tough players are garbage and their own tough guys are good, hardworking boys just doing their best by the team. It's a neat little bit of blind homerism.

Tangentially, I've never quite understood why Joe Micheletti gets so much national work. I can't believe these networks can't do better than people like Micheletti or Pierre.
- johndewar

You would think!!

Putting aside everyone's opinion on the role of fighting in the sport.....

The Rangers' are another team whose fans and announcers, like the Pens, who think other teams' tough players are garbage and their own tough guys are good, hardworking boys just doing their best by the team. It's a neat little bit of blind homerism.

Tangentially, I've never quite understood why Joe Micheletti gets so much national work. I can't believe these networks can't do better than people like Micheletti or Pierre.
- johndewar

I don't like homerism at all. Even with our guys. I don't like listening to Jim Jackson screaming "no call" whenever a Flyer falls like he's mockingly surprised and disgusted by the refs.

In Pierre's defense, he knows a lot about hockey, much more than most. He doesn't know when to shut up though and gets creepily obsessed with certain players during broadcasts. One time he was fawning over Vladimir Sobotka...

I don't like homerism at all. Even with our guys. I don't like listening to Jim Jackson screaming "no call" whenever a Flyer falls like he's mockingly surprised and disgusted by the refs.

In Pierre's defense, he knows a lot about hockey, much more than most. He doesn't know when to shut up though and gets creepily obsessed with certain players during broadcasts. One time he was fawning over Vladimir Sobotka...
- NickTheKid87

The blatant Homerism by the Bruins, Leafs and Rangers announcers makes it almost unlistenable to me when I hae to watch those feeds on Centre ICe. JJ isn't perfect either as you mention.

Good job calling Michelletti out Bill!!

Some observations from last night:

Morin played a pretty solid all around game for a 19 year old and I think he will push very hard for a spot in the top 6 next season.

Bellemare can fly and looked solid on faceoffs. Should be an asset on the PK as well.

Umberger looked meh, but it's hard to judge a 30+ vet on how he looks in preseason.

Akeson had by far his best game of the preseason. He will need to bring that kind of effort every night if he wants to stay in the lineup.

Couturier will have a monster break through season. Book it!

Luke Schenn looked very solid last night, I think he is going to surprise some folks in a positive way.

VLC was skating better than he did at any time last season. If he plays on the 1st pp unit, he may very well score 30+ goals if he can stay healthy.

The line of Schenn-Giroux-Voracek could put up some huge numbers, they looked pretty cohesive last night for a line that has barely played together.

I'm not a big fan of Rinaldo, but he played well last night at ES. If he can play like that every night, he will be fine. However, I'm not willing to bet on that just yet.

I don't like homerism at all. Even with our guys. I don't like listening to Jim Jackson screaming "no call" whenever a Flyer falls like he's mockingly surprised and disgusted by the refs.

In Pierre's defense, he knows a lot about hockey, much more than most. He doesn't know when to shut up though and gets creepily obsessed with certain players during broadcasts. One time he was fawning over Vladimir Sobotka...
- NickTheKid87

Yeah, though I really don't need to know where every player went to grade school and the constant fanboy fawning over Crosby just makes me wanna puke.

The Pens announcers are the worst. BY FAR. I also cant stand that Chico Resch for NJ. Bobby "The Cheif" Taylor for the Lightning is also a numbskull.

In Pierre's defense, he knows a lot about hockey, much more than most.
- NickTheKid87

Pierre would own at NHL Trivial Pursuit.

Too bad he was a terrible hockey coach. After they fired him, he was sanctioned by Bettman for sharing Whalers proprietary player evals w/ the Oilers, too.

Putting aside everyone's opinion on the role of fighting in the sport.....

The Rangers' are another team whose fans and announcers, like the Pens, who think other teams' tough players are garbage and their own tough guys are good, hardworking boys just doing their best by the team. It's a neat little bit of blind homerism.

Tangentially, I've never quite understood why Joe Micheletti gets so much national work. I can't believe these networks can't do better than people like Micheletti or Pierre.
- johndewar

I really miss the old ESPN coverage.
Thorne and Clement
Doc, Edzo, Pierre

I love watching hockey so much, but my god is the NHL bush league in the way it presents itself. I don't have cable anymore, so I don't watch NHL Tonight, but when I did their broadcasters were nearly unbearable to watch. I really wish we could watch TSN here in the States.

I appreciated the thorough takedown of Micheletti's comments.

Looks like Bellemare is going to be an NHL player a little over a week from now. Adam Hall was a warrior, but the upgrade in speed & skill at the 4C spot should be a big boost.

The blatant Homerism by the Bruins, Leafs and Rangers announcers makes it almost unlistenable to me when I hae to watch those feeds on Centre ICe. JJ isn't perfect either as you mention.

Good job calling Michelletti out Bill!!
- Hextall271

I don't mind home town announcers that have a clear bias as long as they don't start questioning the officials. This is what made Harry Kalas so great. He called the game, for Phillies of course, but rarely, if ever, complained about balls and strikes, et al. Just call the game.

I really miss the old ESPN coverage.
Thorne and Clement
- mmcclatchy

Since I only started watching hockey in the 90s when we got ESPN International on satellite TV, those guys are the voice of hockey to me. The ESPN hockey theme music was great, too. Always got me fired up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BuSLqUD65I

Yeah, though I really don't need to know where every player went to grade school and the constant fanboy fawning over Crosby just makes me wanna puke.
- BiggE

He fanboys over Crosby, Giroux, and the star player on each team playing which can get old. I don't need to hear how awesome Giroux is on the powerplay a thousand times a night. Or when he calls players their full names or nicknames that people don't use regularly (i.e. Kristopher Letang and Scotty Hartnell).

I really miss the old ESPN coverage.
Thorne and Clement
Doc, Edzo, Pierre

I love watching hockey so much, but my god is the NHL bush league in the way it presents itself. I don't have cable anymore, so I don't watch NHL Tonight, but when I did their broadcasters were nearly unbearable to watch. I really wish we could watch TSN here in the States.
- mmcclatchy

I love Doc. Everything is exciting when he calls the game but I understand that some people are annoyed by him. Edzo I could take or leave. I like Clement and Thorne a lot. Clement adds a nice dry humor to the broadcast.

I wish we could turn off the commentary

Thanks Bill for great article as usual; it's also nice to see support for the lesser role players of the team. I am glad to see that Chief isn't satisfied with the team play, and that he is going to keep pushing them mentally. In my opinion these players need structure, and if that structure is not existent, then they tend to lose focus, and drive. Keep up the pressure Chief.
I am also glad to see that Hexy hasn't made any panic moves. I know that our D isn't in good shape now that Kimmo is out of the line-up. However, how many D-men that are barely 3rd line guys can you have?
I worry about Coby's play, because his preseason has looked horrible. If he is to be on our first line, he better start focusing on better play. He seem out of position too many times, and his decision making skills leave a lot to be desired.
MDZ also hasn't impressed me with his preseason play. I don't know if it's a lack of focus, or just a confidence thing, but he hasn't been sharp for any period of time.
Shultz should be cut. He just doesn't look good out on the ice at all. I don't know if we could save some salary there, or if he has the money locked up, but I would rather have a kid like Morin, or Sanheim in there.
I would also dump Rosehill, Stortini, and Vandevelde. The two bruisers, just don't fit into today's NHL. Then, the Vandevelde experiment should be over. I guess the team just can't let go of the tall, and big guys just yet.
Finally, if Aekson isn't a fit for G's left wing, how about Straka? Both of those guys are fast, and teams would have to back off a little to counter that speed. Thus, G would be allowed to do his thing.
Anyway, that is food for thought. Thanks.

I really miss the old ESPN coverage.
Thorne and Clement
Doc, Edzo, Pierre

I love watching hockey so much, but my god is the NHL bush league in the way it presents itself. I don't have cable anymore, so I don't watch NHL Tonight, but when I did their broadcasters were nearly unbearable to watch. I really wish we could watch TSN here in the States.
- mmcclatchy

NBC coverage is marketed towards people who don't watch hockey often. I know because when I watch the games with friends, relatives, others who don't watch hockey, I find myself saying the exact same spiel about ten seconds before they do.

Very few team broadcasts exhibit 100% neutrality between the home team and the opposition.

Bill Clement has turned quite homerish now that he is a fully employed by CSN Philadelphia. Having said that though, I do think Michelletti got a touch too jolly in his ripping of Stortini.

Stortini never struck me as an especially dirty player in his days with the Oilers.

I wish we could turn off the commentary
- BulliesPhan87

In here or of the broadcasts?

The Pens announcers are the worst. BY FAR. I also cant stand that Chico Resch for NJ. Bobby "The Cheif" Taylor for the Lightning is also a numbskull.
- GOA88

Without a doubt no duo is worse than Paul Stiegerwald and Bob Errey. They are the ultimate homers.

Putting aside everyone's opinion on the role of fighting in the sport.....

The Rangers' are another team whose fans and announcers, like the Pens, who think other teams' tough players are garbage and their own tough guys are good, hardworking boys just doing their best by the team. It's a neat little bit of blind homerism.

Tangentially, I've never quite understood why Joe Micheletti gets so much national work. I can't believe these networks can't do better than people like Micheletti or Pierre.
- johndewar

Well I think you will find the majority of Rangers fans long for the days of Sam & J.D.

As for the comment about not liking enforcers or agitators from other teams, lets be honest, its the old adage. I hate them on other teams, but would love them on my team. I would say that goes for any fan base. Take Simmonds for example, hes considered a tough guy with really good skill, of course Rangers fans cant stand him, but if he were to get picked up by the Rangers, I would guess he would be a fan favorite for the majority of Rangers fans.

Very few team broadcasts exhibit 100% neutrality between the home team and the opposition.

Bill Clement has turned quite homerish now that he is a fully employed by CSN Philadelphia. Having said that though, I do think Michelletti got a touch too jolly in his ripping of Stortini.

Stortini never struck me as an especially dirty player in his days with the Oilers.
- MidnightMarauder

He acted like Tanner Glass was some top line player who shouldn't mix things up with a plug. Tanner Glass isn't a good player. He's on the ice to fight people and play 5 minutes per night.