Our association has led to such technical innovations as the ‘Inside the Glass’ reporting

Yeah never mind that Ken Daniels and Larry Murphy of FSD were doing that way before the douchecanoe was putting them on the glass.

Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 07/15/09 at 01:25 PM ET

I think TSN may have even done it before FS Detroit.

Posted by mc keeper on 07/15/09 at 02:00 PM ET

The real question is how much money is the NHL going to get out of the deal? Sounds like a whole lot of nothing, again. I do not see other leagues doing profit sharing…

Posted by Tom from Peachtree City, GA on 07/15/09 at 02:23 PM ET

Get rid of that ridiculous on-the-bench interview with the coaches.  Once the puck drops, it becomes a missile and if either one of the two interviewees are struck with the puck (let’s hope not), there’s some liabilities to settle.  Just get rid of it…

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 07/15/09 at 02:24 PM ET

They film those interviews during TV timeouts, just so you know. I do agree that they should get rid of them
though. The coaches almost always have very plain responses, and understandably so being in te middle of the game with other things on their mind than interviewers’ generic questions.

Posted by NHLJeff from Pens fan in Chicago, IL on 07/15/09 at 02:32 PM ET

“Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final was broadcast television’s most-watched hockey game in 36 years, which makes clear the NHL and NBC are building an audience, are building momentum and are perfectly positioned to continue growing the game.”

That’s one of the flimsiest statments to have ever been uttered.  The success of the game 7 broadcast was due to the fact that the teams were in an epic winner-take-all battle with two frenzied fanbases that stretch the entire continent.  NBC did nothing to promote that game and did nothing to improve the quality of their broadcast for it.  How can you give NBC credit for that?  The quality of play attributed to the ratings. 

Credit should not be so easily doled out when nothing was done to deserve it.

Posted by ricks1683 on 07/15/09 at 03:11 PM ET

I’d be okay with the coach interviews if they got Erin Andrews to be the interviewer.

Posted by mike from austin on 07/15/09 at 03:44 PM ET

I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment that NBC treats the NHL like the Simpsons treat Grampa.  They take golf tournaments before the Masters over showing an NHL game, they take 2 weeks off during the NCAA basketball tournament, and make ridiculous schedule decisions.  They put every other sport they broadcast at a higher priority than the NHL.  Versus also leaves a lot to be desired.  National games (in the US) on only Monday and Tuesdays, with some weeks only one game.  There should be doubleheaders on Friday nights.  At least NHL Network broadcasts HNIC on Saturdays, and a few other selected games.  It’s hard to see a outside your local market on the weekends, when HELLO?! most people are available, and want, to watch a game.  What a joke the whole TV Network situation is.

Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/15/09 at 03:55 PM ET

All of the above….

If the real fans call a press conference…would anyone show up..?

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 07/15/09 at 05:22 PM ET

Not to mention last season NBC stood for “Nothing But Crosby”.
To me it seemed like last season all NBC played was the Penguins against some team that only barely got a mention when they took a break inbetween “all about Crosby” segments. 

I don’t mind seeing the NHL on NBC.  I think they do a good job.  I do mind constantly seeing the Penguins.  The East Coast bias not withstanding, NBC needs to learn that there are 14 other teams near their corporate time zone.  There are even 15 more teams in other time zones!  They live in the magical “West Coast”.  Look it up, there are some pretty good teams there.

Posted by AvsRock from My timeshare in insanity... on 07/15/09 at 05:54 PM ET

The East Coast bias not withstanding, NBC needs to learn that there are 14 other teams near their corporate time zone.  There are even 15 more teams in other time zones!  They live in the magical “West Coast”.  Look it up, there are some pretty good teams there.

Posted by AvsRock from My timeshare in insanity… on 07/15/09 at 06:54 PM ET

What is this thing, this “west coast” you speak of?  It that on the far side of the Mississippi River, the far bank?  They play hockey over there, too? 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/15/09 at 06:27 PM ET

My biggest problem with NBC is Pierre McGuire. Every time he says something it’s always to the extreme. It’s either a “Great” play or a “Terrible” play, never something in the middle. No medium with this guy. Some plays are just okay and some are not that bad. He doesn’t get it. It’s like he’s over demonstrative just for the sake of it. Emerick and Olczyk are good together and 2 guys on the braodcast is enough.

Posted by Lindas1st on 07/15/09 at 08:45 PM ET

boo hoo from all the hockey haters! Complaints and misery that is all you hear from so called fans!

Posted by Tero from Tacoma on 07/15/09 at 08:56 PM ET

Ok, does NBC own Versus or is there still a chance that the NHL will go back to ESPN? Just wondering.

Posted by goon from Grand Forks, ND on 07/15/09 at 10:01 PM ET

What is this thing, this “west coast” you speak of?  It that on the far side of the Mississippi River…?

Yes, some know it as the mythical city of St. Lose.

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 07/15/09 at 10:16 PM ET

NHL will go back to ESPN

Not happening, unless the NHL winds up on The Ocho.

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 07/15/09 at 10:17 PM ET

Don’t get me wrong I like the coverage on Versus, just give me more of it.  I can understand during college football season not having a lot of games on Verus, but that is over by Decmber 1st.  Gary, NBC, Versus are you listening?  MORE GAMES Let’s stop saying the:  Penguins, Red Wings, Capitals, Black Hawks, Rangers, Bruins, Flyers, etc. are on too much and increase the total number of games available.  More games on national TV (network & cable) is not going to hurt Center Ice package sales.  It will increase exposure of the NHL and grow the interest.  Is is coincidence that the NFL has had 90% of it’s game every season on FREE NATIONAL TV?  It’s called exposure.  Does NBC really think there is more interest in a PGA Senior Tournament in February than the NHL?  I guess we’ll get a bit more this year with the Olympics, or maybe not.

Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/15/09 at 10:39 PM ET

What is this thing, this “west coast” you speak of?  It that on the far side of the Mississippi River…?

LOL!!  Baroque that’s funny. Kudos to you.

Posted by Lindas1st on 07/16/09 at 06:15 AM ET