I actually do like Bucci and even Levy. I have always liked Weeksy too. Also, I think Linda Cohn is genuinely super excited to have hockey back on the station.
IMO the problem lies with the producers. I’m not sure I can put my finger on it but the whole production is just off. I guess that’s what you get when you have Mickey Mouse covering hockey.
For example one of their PBP guys is truly awful and has no personality. Messi and Subban shouldn’t be in the same building chemistry wise much less be on the same panel, either.
They leave much to be desired for hockey fans. TNT does a much better job, at least IMO.
Agree with all of this. It's just cookie cutter, boilerplate production, because they don't care enough to provide a good product. Just like they don't care enough to work the bugs out of ESPN+. They bring in good money without caring, so why start?
Also, their analysts leave a lot to be desired now. I'm all for bringing women into the production, they need better representation. And I get that there's a double standard they have to deal with, where if they get too excited, they get accused of screeching, which must suck to deal with.
But it's also hard listening to AJ and Cassie Campell basically just provide flat, unemotional analysis during incredibly exciting moments. It kills the enthusiasm. They also don't really provide much insight, they basically just read all their pre-written talking points for three periods, and then describe what everyone can see on the replays.
Even though he used to be a bit of an Avs hater, Ray Ferraro has become by far the best, and perhaps only good analyst on ESPN IMO. I wish we had him more in the Avs series.