Bobby Holik to Be Awesome, Entertain My Dad on NHL Network This Season

From Tom Gulitti on Twitter:

Must-see TV: Ex-Devil Bobby Holik will be joining “On the Fly” crew on NHL Network. Holik will also do weekly spot on “NHL Live”.

That is must-see TV indeed. Holik is a ridiculously fun opinion-spouter. If they let him as loose as possible, what we’ll see is are some interesting, quotable TV moments. He’s also the first European player in some time that I can remember being hired for a big NHL TV job.

Advertisement

Hey, Denis Potvin Got a Job. Good For Him

From the Sens website:

Call it a homecoming of sorts for Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman Denis Potvin.

The Hull, Que., native and former Ottawa 67’s star has been named the new analyst for Scotiabank Senators Hockey telecasts on Rogers Sportsnet East and Sportsnet One. Potvin fills the void created by the depature of Garry Galley, who is now working exclusively for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

Suggestions For NBC’s Presentation of Hockey Day in America

One of the things I sort of glazed over in the wake of the television schedule announcements was NBC’s plan to play a big part in “Hockey Day in America”, a supposed celebration of the growth of the game beneath the Canadian borders. One wonders if the pockets of fans across the country are enough to sell there being an entire day dedicated to the sport in true earnest. I mean, for chrissakes, we don’t even have Baseball Day in America, and the baseball in this country try to shove America’s former love affair with the grand game down our throats.

So forgive me if I seem to be a bit cynical about this actually happening full force (and if you don’t forgive me, why are you reading this website?) but I have some easy suggestions to make this seem like an actual fun thing that hockey fans will want to be involved in.

1. 24 Hours of Hockey on The Rink at 30 Rock

The Rink at 30 Rock used to be a great place for NBC’s NHL studio show for awhile. They got all the team flags out where every nation’s flags were, and the set-up used to get the occasional shot on Saturday Night Live, which was super cool. Why not turn one of the most well-known and  beloved sheets of ice on earth into a marathon of hockey?

Set-up the NBC studio there once again, since the NHL is getting regional coverage that day, no reason to favor one game over another. Just show people having hour after hour of fun. Hell, it’ll almost be certain you get a hit on all your affiliates’ local news at “look at these here doin’ something quirky”. Have NHL legends show up and play for various timeslots. Hold tournaments. There are limitless possibilities.

2. Show Where The Game Has Grown Around the Country

Its nice and everything to show guys that got to the league from Minnesota and Michigan and Massachusetts, but during say, the first intermission, air a feature on every state that has produced a hockey player, period. Show them, their most famous player, and a quick story about how they got there. It’ll show kids in other states “Hey, I’m from California (pick any state) too. I can make it in hockey.” Will be able to showcase the USA Hockey portion of it as well.

3. Maybe Skip the Miracle Team This Time Around

Guys, the Miracle on Ice team has been used maybe one too many times. Let’s not depend on them to make Hockey Day in America a success. This goes double for the Hanson Bros. Perhaps since he’s trying to become the king of hockey movies, Seann William Scott can be on studio coverage. Seeing Stiffler with a bunch of Stiff Suits would make for some funny puns, like the one I just did right there.

4. Make Sure Its Fun and Presentable

Whenever the NHL hits the bright lights, something seems to go wrong. Make sure that nothing goes off without a hitch. Make sure everyone looks like this is the best time they’ve ever had. That’s the point, right? Hockey’s fun and hockey is … sigh … for everyone.

Your Daily Music Song

Good morning. I’ve had a long couple days. Lets march on.

I loathe Linkin Park, but this song hits the spot.