...what's your opinion of HNIC's P.J.Stock?...

[joewillie99]

....from William Houston of the Globe & Mail....

......"And then there's P.J. Stock, a Montreal radio personality and former NHL player. Hockey Night is working hard to make Stock a star, and clearly it is working, at least in P.J.'s mind.

He's relatively new to TV, but we know of no other broadcaster so obviously pleased with himself on the air.

One journalist we talked to likened him to "a bar disc jockey - no sense that he isn't the show."

In the playoffs, Hockey Night has Stock reporting the out-of-town scores, but, of course, that minor assignment is hardly enough to contain his talent.

On Sunday, he approved of the suit worn by analyst Kelly Hrudey and gave thumbs-up to his analysis, which undoubtedly topped off Hrudey's perfect day.

He talks, or yells, at a quick pace, sometimes making sense, but not often. On Sunday, he tossed out this gem, "Personally, and it's not my opinion, but I think ..." In Stock's substance-free zone, that's about as good as it gets."....

[04bb77]

I actually thought he was a refreshing change..

Kelly is getting stale..

And you turn on TSN or weekend US TV and you see that loudmouth Pierre..
What a treat he is..

[joewillie99]

...the full column...is HNIC being "dumbed down" ?...

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080421.truth22/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home

[VaN uLAr]

PJ is awesome. He doesn't take himself too seriously and CONSTANTLY makes fun of himself learning the HNIC way of doing things on his radio show. How good is PJ Stock's show ? I hven't listened to my local Ottawa station here since I've heard his show from Montreal.

As for that review, perhaps the guy could give PJ a chance to adapt to his new environment (it's only been a month or two !) ? After all, Kelly Hrudey himself wasn't perfect when he first started, and look how solid he is now. Anyone else see Sean Burke on a few weeks back ? At least PJ looks comfortable on camera & has something to say.

That review sums up what's wrong with CBC & why TSN is now Canada's choice for hockey - an outdated "keep everything the way it's been done for years & year" & refusal to change mentality. Keep giving people a stale product & oh yeah, and call it TRADITION

[inverno-76]

I actually thought he was a refreshing change..

Kelly is getting stale..

And you turn on TSN or weekend US TV and you see that loudmouth Pierre..
What a treat he is..

I am no Macguire fan, but the guy does know his hockey. Too bad he can't come across like Ron MacLean who is, at least by my standards, the best on air hockey guy in the business.

PJ Stock. I find him entertaining. He brings a unique perspective to the program. I'm very sick of the whole Kelly Hrudey deal. Grow a set and remember the generation of hockey you came from Bandana Boy. He couldn't be more polar opposite than someone like Don Cherry.

[joewillie99]

....I'm not including TSN in this comment,but far too often "change" in sports television means loud,louder,loudest...

[Mats_44]

I find him annoying.

[joewillie99]

I'm very sick of the whole Kelly Hrudey deal. Grow a set and remember the generation of hockey you came from Bandana Boy. He couldn't be more polar opposite than someone like Don Cherry.

....I enjoy Kelly Hrudey,especially when he's discussing hockey with Ron Maclean...there seems to be a lot of repect for each other's opinion...

[rxsheepxr]

My opinion? Stock could kick anyone's ass on these boards, so he's cool by me. :p

[Poeschek]

I have no problem with HNIC, I don't think it's stale at all. If a format works, stick with it. Hrudey and MacLean are always great, Campbell is green, but getting better. PJ is pretty good, sometimes you can tell he's trying too hard, but you can tell he's having a good time. I have to say I did laugh a lot when Tommy Larscheid called him "JP" after the last regular season game. As for Galley mangling the English language, these guys are sportscasters. I don't expect them to be a genius like Norman Einstein.

The only thing I don't really like anymore is Don Cherry. As he's getting older, I find his coherent to senile ratio is getting worse and worse. Whether you agreed with him or not, he used to make interesting points. I find he's starting to ramble like Grandpa Simpson sometimes...

[jrd]

I find him annoying.

agreed

[tragically fish]

I like him, he's green and he makes mistakes but he's not taking this over the top serious and trying to be a straight guy. He gives his opinion and over time he'll improve.

[Wardo30]

I miss watching him play...too bad what an eye injury can do

[inverno-76]

The only thing I really enjoy anymore is the Satellite Hotstove. I'll watch After Hours from time to time, but if it's not SHS and TSN intermission is on at the same time I often flip the channel, or grab a beer, or both.

[Sinden]

I like PJ...Hrudy irks me a little, as he is always giving the opinion from a goalie perspective..can't hit that way, can't get too rough. Give me a break, its a physical game

[PrimeBane]

The only thing I really enjoy anymore is the Satellite Hotstove. I'll watch After Hours from time to time, but if it's not SHS and TSN intermission is on at the same time I often flip the channel, or grab a beer, or both.

+1... do they stream it on the web yet?

As for PJ, I like him so far.

[SEAHAWKS ROCK!]

i like Stock & Hrudey

[madcracker]

I hate PJ Stock. He is very annoying. All night I was asking my tv "Why do you let that clown on there?" I thought he did a brutal job and I hope he doesn't last long.

[ShakesO]

great topic. i don't think anyone has missed the guy in the bubble this season.

HNIC first:

PJ - I like him. He has fun. But he sort've butchers his words, and I expect a bit more from HNIC. I've got time (and it's not me paying for his salary) so I'm ok with him getting his act together. Playoffs is a rough time to debut, but it also gives him a lot of work and I expect he'll be better as it progresses.

Elliott F - I dislike him. He's very capable, clear voice, knows his stuff. But I don't like the way he always asks "the hard question". He spends too much time setting up the question and it doesn't sound natural. He's a polar PJ. I wish he could change a bit, because he's smart, but in the meantime I continue to yell at the TV when he's on.

Ron MacLean - I really like Ron. I hope this guy can stick around until he's 70. No complaints ever. I love his abusing of Bettman at the all-star game each year. He's classy and smart and I would enjoy talking hockey with him.

Hrudey - I like his analysis. I don't expect him to take a hard stance on anything and being controversial. He doesn't annoy, seems like a nice guy, and has quality things to talk about. I have no qualms, I hope he sticks around a long time as well.

Cherry - Jeez. I think he's just getting a bit old. I don't like the way he continues to cut Ron off and get annoyed with the tech guys. His opinion is less relevant each year. But, I admire that he has an opinion. I like that he was pulling for Boston and wasn't afraid to say so.

Campbell - I don't see much of her work. I can't offer a lot of opinion, but we'll see where she goes.

The rest of their analysis team doesn't do much for me. I prefer Hrudey over SHS. Their commentators are reasonable and I have no complaints.

TSN

Duthie - I like this guy. He has fun at his desk coralling the expert panel. If he was gone, I'd be turning TSN off on a regular basis.

McGuire - Pierre is really smart. I enjoy him as an analysis, and is probably better than anything CBC has during the game. His 'monster' schtick is tiring, but I don't have a problem with him.

McKenzie - Guy knows his stuff, but sometimes tries too hard to be an expert. Have some fun and relax. At least you're better than Elliott.

Milbury - Heh. I love him because he's got such a different perspective as a previous GM (especially one responsible for Yashin). I enjoy his contributions.

...I like hockey. TSN and HNIC both work for me most of the time, both could use some tweaks. Sportsnet doesn't do playoffs, so we'll leave them out.

[freezerbox]

I agree almost entirely with Shakes' take on the broadcasters. I CAN'T STAND E. Freedman, undecided on PJ and get annoyed with Milbury who oftens just appears to say the opposite of the other panelists just to be different (or an idiot in some cases). I like both CBC and TSN and the fact they do offer different styles which keeps it interesting in between periods and for filler segments.

[inverno-76]

Scott Oake has a face made for radio and a personality made for a funeral home. His head is so huge and he needs to recognize that his hair is running away from his face.

http://www.communitynews.ca/files/releases/ScottOakeKellyHrudey_714.jpg

Cherry is a staple, but he's went from must watch to kind of crazy. He's more of a sideshow than a quality segment. That being said his schtick needs to stay until he's ready to quit.

[comfortablynumb]

i dont mind PJ or Hrudey, Macguire knows his stuff but just the way he says it drives me nuts... i dont mind the TSN pannel or the Hotstove but I'd say the one guy I hate watching and hearing is Glen Healy, the guy just pisses me off. His comments come off irrelevant and Mr. Backup goalie to the stars talks like he's actually won anything for his on ice contributions (yes he won a cup.. while sitting on the bench, yet he talks about it like he was the missing piece to that puzzle!)

[ShakesO]

that is the biggest picture of scott oake ever. ...he's gained a bit of weight in the face i might add (i thought tv was supposed to add weight - not a digital photo).


truth be told, i don't really miss my nhl center ice right now (maybe because the playoffs offer a variety). i couldn't find a station that appeased me at the level of sportsnet/tsn/cbc.

anyone else think that so much of watching the game is the 'ambience' (like your favourite restaurant)? you're either comfortable with what's going on, or you feel like your chair is too hard or something. favourite segments/meals, favourite commentators/waitresses, and the same 2 or 3 dishes/teams you eat/watch each time... i can see people being sensitive in this regard.

[VaN uLAr]

that is the biggest picture of scott oake ever.

Seriously. Someone's got a man-crush ! LOL !

[VaN uLAr]

I don't expect them to be a genius like Norman Einstein.

LOL ! Nice reference. LOL !

[freezerbox]

On a semi-related note, I can't stand Healy either.

[joewillie99]

Elliott F - I dislike him. He's very capable, clear voice, knows his stuff. But I don't like the way he always asks "the hard question". He spends too much time setting up the question and it doesn't sound natural.

.....I disagree....I like that he asks the hard question,it's a welcome change from "what do you have to do to turn it around?"...he'll be on the show for the next twenty years...

[ShakesO]

.....I disagree....I like that he asks the hard question,it's a welcome change from "what do you have to do to turn it around?"...he'll be on the show for the next twenty years...


oh good, i like having a balance of people that entertain me and those who annoy me. maybe i just have gotten used to certain kinds of questions. but i just like that even the players sometimes look at him like an idiot.

i remember last year in the islanders series - ryan smyth was in attendance, and elliott signs off by saying "oh and just so you know, Ryan told me not to ask about his contract, so we'll wait and see". and it was like, obviously he was trying not to bring it up, so why bring it up?

but you're allowed to like him. i just can't take him seriously. i'm waiting for the player that locker slams him (circa high school days).

[VaN uLAr]

oh good, i like having a balance of people that entertain me and those who annoy me. maybe i just have gotten used to certain kinds of questions.

What I've gotten used to is a certain kind of answer !

- We got to give it 110%
- We have to play a full 60 minutes

Clichés after clichés - thank God for the PVR, I now mostly forward through intermission interviews.

[right between the eyes]

On a semi-related note, I can't stand Healy either.

Glenn Healey wants to be the new Grapes.....at least he's tryin hard to be.