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When you tune in sports on TV, often the best commentators are retired former star players that bring in great analysis, humour and fun. The NBA and NFL, even CFL have former star players as commentators. But hockey?
Didn't Bobby Hull try that once on Hockey Night in Canada? We are not talking about those who played in the NHL but the best of the best that get into broadcasting when they retire. More on this from Steve Simmons in the Toronto Sun..
It's because the goal of hockey coverage isn't to enlighten the fan; it's to make sure no one upsets current coaches or players. No superstar wants to risk their reputation with their peers when they can retire comfortably instead. Hockey and business reporting are the only two types of reporting where the reporters try to earn credibility with the people they cover, not the viewer. I don't understand why. Another reason may be that hockey players have their personality coached out of them at an early age. How many times have we ever seen a star player in the NHL brag about themself? The ones that do are run out of the league.
Last edited by Prod Guy (January 18, 2021 1:10 am)