'I will miss it': Bob Cole dismayed over decision to sideline him for playoffs

[Howie Hodge]

Shame NBC can't use him instead of Emrick.

 

[nhlfan9191]

The Jagr of commentators. It’s sad to see a good thing come to an end.

 

[Evincar]

I never really liked him always preferred someone like Don Wittman over him.

 

[PuckSeparator]

LOL, I'm never surprised by Rogers being overly corporate and showing a lack of class. This corporation is utterly clueless when it comes to understanding the emotion and connection that some people can have with the fans that have grown up with people like Bob Cole.

They made the same mistake when they cut Ron MacLean years ago because they just thought "out with the old, in with the new" but they never stopped to consider just how much people were attached to Ron. They see us fans as if we have 2 or 3 year contracts to their over-priced, crappy cell phone packages and that we'll eat whatever shit they throw at us, eventually we'll just learn to accept it and even be happy about it. Not sure I'll ever be OK with any of the hacks they send out to pollute my tv screen.

 

[illpucks]

This is sad. Yes he isn't as good anymore but he is an all time hockey legend.

Show the guy some respect and give him at least a few games like Kadri.

 

[egelband]

Why not have Cole there. At least to do something. He’s under contract, well-respected, well-liked, and wants to participate. I don’t understand the downside to invite him to join the team. Is there an Announcers’ Salary Cap? I mean, what is the possible downside to having Cole at least do some rinkside reporting or even some canned interviews? Seems dumb.

 

[egelband]

Nostalgia is powerful. Cole isn't a good announcer anymore and hasn't been for years. People are so used to his voice that it doesn't seem to matter what he's saying, it seems.

Nostalgia is a HUGE part of sports. People seem to forget that. In fact, I’d rather hear a familiar voice who makes a few mistakes than some Hot New voice. That’s why the Rangers still have Sam Rosen doing games. We like him and, frankly, on tv the commentary isn’t really very important. At least not to die-hard fans.

 

[Johnny HFBOARDS]

Im gonna miss... uhm whats his name again.. oh yeah Cole!

 

[NJDevs26]

I mean they couldn't use him in one of eight first-round series and be done with it after that instead of outright benching him entirely? I'm sure as a nightly broadcaster Cole is probably annoying to listen to these days (never listened to a full broadcast of his unfortunately) but there aren't many better at the big call and his voice will always be golden for me.

 

[Langdon Alger]

Cole and Galley should be calling the Winnipeg series. Let Romanuk and Millen call another one.

 

[Sensung]

Only about 20 years too late.

 

[66-30-33]

That sucks, listening to hockey with Cole was awesome.

 

[Los Patos de Anaheim]

Im gonna miss... uhm whats his name again.. oh yeah Cole!

"The announcer for... Rogers SportsNet"

 

[Goon42]

ya too old bob

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Bad decision by Rogers. Cole is an icon.

 

[Tage2Tuch]

When I was a kid my moms boyfriend said BOB COLE has got to retire. I said why he told me he was getting senile and making mistakes.

This was in 1997.

 

[Future GOAT]

I made a few jokes about the guy's age here and there, but I feel bad for him. He deserved better than a phone call.

 

[Rygu]

I don't care how old he is. He's a legend, and at 85 is still better than 90% of his competition.

Complete bullshit.

 

[Chairman Maouth]

Bob Cole has had an extraordinary run, but no one can hold back time. Rogers made the right call.

Deep down, I don't think anyone here really wants to watch Cole's abilities behind the mic continue to deteriorate.

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

Wait, no Bob Cole? He's senile, but dammit he deserves one more go around

 

[TMLegend]

"Everything is happening" God bless fellow Newf Bob Cole lol.

 

[Sam Spade]

Corporate f***s can go f*** themselves.

There are certain broadcasters who have earned the right to go out on their terms. Bob Cole, Vin Scully, Keith Jackson, John Madden, to name a view.

You don’t do legends like this.

 

[RedBruin]

Corporate ****s can go **** themselves.

There are certain broadcasters who have earned the right to go out on their terms. Bob Cole, Vin Scully, Keith Jackson, John Madden, to name a view.

You don’t do legends like this.

Ya. Never liked Cole. Always understood the sentiments, just never was a fan. Couldn't care less in theory. but if the story is in fact true wow, classless behaviour. I actually do feel sorry for Bob despite never knowing him personally. At least tell him face to face.
Corporate pieces of shit.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

There is nothing like a playoff game called by Cole. Absolute class.

If Romanuk can get a gig, Cole should have got one too.

 

[egelband]

Deep down, I don't think anyone here really wants to watch Cole's abilities behind the mic continue to deteriorate.

Erm. More than half the people posting here are saying they *do* want to continue to hear him.