The truth is everyone is going to suck. Joe Bowen will never be back because he is too much of a leaf fan.. If anyone should be fired it should be executives at sportsnet/tsn for mandating such boring, non-biased, politically correct commentary. I would want Joe Bowen but its not going to happen because he doesnt fit the policy of sportsnet.
Sportsnet is ultra neutral because they want to use the Leafs as much as possible for National Broadcasts. It led to a pretty terrible product. The vibe they seem to go with is ultra-professional that walks along a certain line. They don't do it as much with the western properties because they aren't used as much nationally.
TSN is much looser and in-formal with who they use. They have a Leafs fan/ex-player on the intermission panel, and are much less formal. I'm not as big a basketball fan as I used to be, but for intermission panel's once a week or so, they need to look at how TNT does their games. Good insight, and its funny to the casual viewer. Now, I realize it might be impossible to find Hockey legends as interesting and funny as Shaq and Barkley, but they should damn well try.
I think some of the main issues with Hockey Broadcasting, that Sportsnets broadcasts represent to an extreme. One, a lot of people are afraid of saying anything controversial. Two, there is a code among management and players to avoid doing this, which many retain post-career. Hockey depends way too much on actual reporters compared to other sports. Guys like Friedman, Kyprios, McLean, McKenzie and Dreger aren't going to say anything crazy because they are the one's who break the news. These guys won't heavily bash certain players or management, because players, agents and management are all sources. Look at the NBA show or an NFL pre-game. Those guys could care less about offending people, its not like they are relying on Schefter or Woj to carry a broadcast. For example, with Sportsnets intermission panel, Friedman is a journalist who breaks stories, he's always going to play it close to the vest, Kyprios also does to an extent, he's close to certain agents and players, McLean is just there to direct the show and not offer an opinion. This leaves McLean to be the most outspoken, and even then he's quite management friendly. The NHL needs more ex-players who are like O-Dog or Ferraro. Who have no clear affiliations, and are willing to say what they think. Unfortunately, I don't see what I'm suggesting gaining much traction.
