Battle of the Network Stars

MONTREAL--It's a tussle nearly as intriguing as the Habs-Flyers series that will continue Saturday afternoon at the Bell Centre.

Who will win? NBC? RDS? CBC? It's going to be a fascinating window into the priority given to the various networks by the NHL.

All three, you see, would like to have dibs on the ice-level broadcasting position between the benches for Game 3. NBC uses Pierre Maguire there, CBC uses Glenn Healy. RDS sometimes uses former NHLer Joel Bouchard.

It's a spot without a lot of wiggle room since the setup forces the Montreal backup goalie into the same area.

Here's the intrigue. RDS has the No. 1 position for tomorrow's game, which mean they get first choice of everything, from interviews to camera positions, etc.

NBC, however, is arguing that having an analyst between the benches is a staple of their broadcasts. The NHL, of course, has spent years courting the various U.S. networks in hopes of landing a rich deal, although the current deal with NBC is anything but that.

The issue will probably be decided sometime today, with the NHL having the final say.

Tune in to see which network carries the day. It'll tell you something about the pecking order of NHL broadcasters.

Comments

[Boston]

Give it to RDS. Healy and Maguire make my skin crawl. What happended to you Glenn? You used to be so funny before you started in broadcasting.

[Prax]

While the NHL will NEVER surprise me when it comes to favoring an american network, this is going to be an interesting one. Bouchard doesn't always sit between the benches but I can see the RDS guys putting him there out of spite. CBC will fight for it but like they will fail at this just like they've been failing at everything else lately. The Canadiens usually don't let anyone there so if the league would let them I could definitely see them just saying ''screw it'' and not giving anyone the spot. Personally i'll be watching the game on NBC, so I'd give it to McGuire. But that's just me.

[Jes Sayin']

Let the colour guys fight it out. If it comes down to toughness, Bouchard wins. If it's smarts, Heals gets it. If it's ability to rattle of key stats and figures in record time, McGuire wins hands-down.

[Gary]

I won't be surprised if it's Mcguire (NBC) But he's become so predictable in that spot.

You know tommorow you will hear him scream the following once.

"CANADIENS/FLYERS BENCH ARE LIVID!!!! THEY ARE SCREAMING AT THE REF!!! THEY DONT LIKE THIS ONE BIT!"

"________ SEEMS DISAPPOINTED/DISCOURAGED/NERVOUS"

He's become so predictable. I really can't stand himm

[RT]

Is there even a debate on this subject? The order will be determined by inverting the $'s paid to the NHL for rights fees. NBC pays the least so they will get the NHL's blessing to put Pierre between the benches.

[Wingsfanman]

Why not give each network 1 period at the preferred spot between benches or wherever they stand and the other two "commentators(actually "know-it-alls"), can find any other spot at ice level.

I personally find this position so overrated that whomever it is simply adds comment because they're expected to say something. Very seldom is it relevant to the broadcast. ("There's alot of anger down here and the players are yelling, etc." Really, at a hockey game? Imagine that!

[hoofheartz]

I say tape McGuire to the boards somewhere and hope there are a lot of clearing attempts and body contact in that particular area. Maybe that'll shut him up for 2 seconds.