{"id":58685,"date":"2025-06-03T01:20:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T01:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/58685\/"},"modified":"2025-06-03T01:20:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T01:20:18","slug":"the-2024-25-awful-announcing-local-nhl-announcer-rankings-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/58685\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2024-25 Awful Announcing local NHL announcer rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t15. Edmonton Oilers (Jack Michaels, Louie DeBrusk): 2.66
\n\"Jack<\/a>Jack Michaels (L) and Louie DeBrusk in a 2021 Sportsnet Oilers clip. (Sportsnet.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: B (31.1% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 83.7%<\/p>\n

DeBrusk has had quite the run on Oilers\u2019 broadcasts. He started as their primary analyst in 2008 alongside Kevin Quinn, but was replaced by Drew Remenda ahead of the 2014-18 season. DeBrusk returned as the main analyst ahead of 2018-19, though, with Remenda (who\u2019s now once again the San Jose Sharks\u2019 main analyst) only working select games, and DeBrusk became the broadcast\u2019s only listed analyst ahead of 2021-22, with Michaels joining him on play-by-play then.<\/p>\n

The Michaels-DeBrusk duo, with Remenda as a substitute analyst, drew a 2.02 in our 2020 rankings<\/a> (21st of 31 teams). Quinn and Remenda drew a 2.27 (17th of 30 teams) in our 2016 rankings<\/a>. So, this is a notable improvement for the Oilers\u2019 broadcast in both ranking and numerical grade. And part of that was about them receiving 77 As (of 264 votes), almost as many as their Bs (82). But they aren\u2019t higher due to 23 Ds and 20 Fs.<\/p>\n

The comments were even more positive than the grades. Lines there included \u201cHands down the best broadcast team in the NHL,\u201d \u201cBest team on TV,\u201d and \u201cgreat duo that gets better and better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michaels was particularly lauded in the comments. That included \u201celectric on play-by-play,\u201d \u201cMichaels might have his bias, but he\u2019s so d*mn entertaining,\u201d and \u201cEven as a Flames guy, Michaels is definitely the most energetic play-by-play guy in the league. When you hear him screaming on a broadcast, it makes you want to run through a brick wall.\u201d But DeBrusk got his own positive comments, including \u201cdefinitely the best colour commentator at Sportsnet\u201d and \u201cBest analyst in NHL TV coverage.\u201d And while we\u2019re not really grading reporters in these rankings, Gene Principe is a well-established and entertaining legend, and he drew multiple positive remarks here as well.<\/p>\n

While some found this broadcast \u201cinsufferable,\u201d particularly citing perceived homerism from Michaels, the overall comments here were highly in favor of this team. And even on the homerism front, there was a line on Michaels of \u201cHe may be a homer to some, but he\u2019s our homer.\u201d<\/p>\n

14. Montreal Canadiens (Bryan Mudryk, Mike Johnson; also Craig Button and Frankie Corrado on analysis): 2.69
\n\"Bryan<\/a>Bryan Mudryk (L) and Mike Johnson on a Montreal Canadiens\u2019 broadcast in 2020. (Bryan Mudryk on X.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: B (44.4% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 90.1%<\/p>\n

Unlike the more polarizing Oilers broadcast directly below them, this team stood out for not receiving many strong opinions. They got an overwhelming number of Bs (112 of 256 votes cast), and a high percentage of As, Bs, and Cs, but only 49 As.<\/p>\n

The Canadiens\u2019 broadcasts have featured an unusual combination of analysts since the 2017-18 season<\/a>. That\u2019s generally been Johnson, Button, and Dave Poulin, but Poulin left during the 2023 season for a front-office role with the Ottawa Senators. Johnson (who also works select Leafs and Senators regional games for TSN) and Button have carried on since then, with Corrado moving from the studio to a more regular booth role as well last season<\/a>. Mudryk has been the team\u2019s main voice on the play-by-play side since 2018-19.<\/p>\n

One technical note here; some readers had both positive and negative comments for John Bartlett and Garry Galley, who called most of the 27<\/a> Canadiens\u2019 games that were aired on Sportsnet, but those were national games. Sportsnet used to have the regional rights to the Canadiens, but TSN won those back<\/a> ahead of the 2017-18 season. The Bartlett\/Galley team may have been almost regional broadcasters with how frequently they worked Habs\u2019 games and with Bartlett\u2019s previous time as their regional announcer during the Sportsnet era, but the intent here was looking at the specifically regional TSN broadcasts.<\/p>\n

This is also the case for the Senators: Sportsnet carries a lot of their games, but that\u2019s under their national NHL package, while TSN has the regional rights<\/a>. But for the Leafs, Sportsnet splits the regional rights with TSN (with 14 and 26 regional games,\u00a0respectively,<\/a> this season) in a move closer to what we see for the NBA\u2019s Raptors and MLB\u2019s Blue Jays, so both networks\u2019 regular regional announcer crews are included there.<\/p>\n

Interestingly enough, our readers\u2019 previous rankings for the Canadiens were both a 2.07 for the prior Sportsnet regional crew of Bartlett and Jason York in 2016 (21st of 30 teams) and a TSN group led largely by Mudryk, Johnson, Poulin, and Button in 2020 (20th of 31 teams). Thus, there has been a notable increase in how viewers perceive this group since the last time we asked.<\/p>\n

In the comments, both Mudryk (\u201cso versatile,\u201d \u201cthe most underrated play-by-play guy in the league\u201d) and Johnson (\u201cIf Johnson did all the games, it would be an A\u201d (on a B grade), \u201cJohnson is the highlight. Rest is ho-hum\u201d) drew particular plaudits. Button also got some praise, including for the chemistry he\u2019s built with Mudryk on IIHF broadcasts.<\/p>\n

Many of the criticisms that did show up were about the rotating cast (such as \u201cno consistency\u201d), and there were some homerism complaints. Also, some readers found this group inferior to the team\u2019s French-language regional announcers, Pierre Houde and Marc Denis: we didn\u2019t include them in these rankings because the idea here was to grade the regional English-language broadcasts for each team, but it\u2019s worth noting that they got a fair bit of praise in the comments.<\/p>\n

13. Tampa Bay Lightning (Dave Randorf, Brian Engblom): 2.75
\n\"Dave<\/a>Dave Randorf and Brian Engblom on a 2021 Tampa Bay Lightning broadcast. (@FDSN_Lightning on X.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: B (39.0% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 88.3%<\/p>\n

The Lightning broadcasts feature two veteran NHL voices, but both are newer to this specific role. Engblom\u2019s career includes decades of national U.S. NHL work for ESPN\/ABC\/Versus\/NBC, while Randorf\u2019s includes decades of national Canadian work for TSN (especially on the CFL, but with some hockey) and Sportsnet (especially on the NHL). They took up their current Lightning roles in 2015 and 2021 respectively.<\/p>\n

Rick Peckham and Engblom drew a 2.37 (15th of 31 teams) in our 2020 rankings, and a 2.46 (12th of 30) in 2016. So the relative positioning for the Lightning has stayed about the same, but the numerical grades have risen; as noted at the top, though, the average ratings in these rankings are up across the board from 2020 and 2016. This group received 70 As and 103 Bs out of 264 votes.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Notably, considering how many of these broadcasts sparked complaints of homerism, this booth received significant praise for avoiding that. That included \u201cMostly impartial. Good insight,\u201d \u201cBoth of them will pick up on plays\/ line changes quickly and inform the audience without excessive emotions,\u201d and \u201cBoth old pros\u2026good broadcast.\u201d However, one reader still found homerism here, noting, \u201cIt feels weird having Randorf being a homer, especially after calling national contests for decades. He\u2019s decent, but his voice sounds weird when he gets excited for Lightning goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

In individual comments, there was a lot of praise for Engblom, including \u201csolid, experienced, knowledgeable, and timely.\u201d A few lobbied him for to get more national work again, including with \u201cbetter at his job than [TNT\u2019s Eddie] Olczyk\u201d, and several praised his chemistry with Randorf, but one found him \u201cjust a kiss a**.\u201d Randorf drew compliments, too, including \u201cawesome\u201d and \u201cexcellent,\u201d but sparked some complaints about his voice.<\/p>\n

12. San Jose Sharks (Randy Hahn, Drew Remenda; also Scott Hannan, Jamal Mayers, Jason Demers, and Alex Stalock on analysis): 2.80
\n\"Randy<\/a>Randy Hahn (L) and Drew Remenda on a 2023 San Jose Sharks\u2019 studio show. (Brodie Brazil on YouTube.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: A and B (both 33.1% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 86.2%<\/p>\n

San Jose wins the award for most listed announcers here and, remarkably, does so with a consistent play-by-play voice. That\u2019s because all of the non-Remenda analysts listed above (all Sharks\u2019 alumni) are mostly rotating analysts on the radio broadcast<\/a> alongside Dan Rusanowsky, but they each stepped in for selected TV games. This group drew 86 As and 86 Bs out of 260 votes.<\/p>\n

Hahn has been calling Sharks\u2019 TV play-by-play since their 1991 debut<\/a> (first as an alternate voice, then as their main voice since 1993). Remenda started with them on the radio in 1997, worked as their main TV analyst from 2000-2014 (with a gap in 2006-07 where Marty McSorley took that role with Remenda moving to CBC), went to the Oilers, returned to the Sharks as a studio analyst in 2021, then returned to the booth ahead of this season. Hahn and Jamie Baker earned a 2.45 (10th of 31 teams in 2020) and a 2.88 (seventh of 30) in 2016.<\/p>\n

The comments saw a fair bit of positivity about the main Hahn and Remenda booth in particular, including on their efforts calling a San Jose team that finished a league-worst 20-50-12. That included \u201cGreat duo for decades,\u201d \u201cSuch a great pair,\u201d \u201cGreat duo for a bad team, miss them on the national broadcast,\u201d\u00a0 \u201cFor a team that\u2019s been struggling, the Sharks have a great booth,\u201d and \u201cBad team, good announcers.\u201d And Hahn drew some individual laurels, including \u201ccriminally underrated.\u201d But one viewer did consider Hahn\u2019s work to have dropped off a bit, saying, \u201cHahn, I think, is just tired of calling a bad team.\u201d<\/p>\n

11. Philadelphia Flyers (Jim Jackson, Brian Boucher): 2.83<\/p>\n

Most common grade: B (42.3% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 87.2%<\/p>\n

\"Jim<\/a>Jim Jackson and Brian Boucher. (NBC Sports Philadelphia.)<\/p>\n

Jackson has been the Flyers\u2019 TV voice since 1995. Boucher started working on their studio show after his 2013 retirement, then jumped up into the booth last September when Keith Jones moved into a new role as the team\u2019s president of hockey operations. Jackson, with analysts Jones and Bill Clement, earned a 2.68 in 2020 (seventh of 31 teams) and a 2.27 (16th of 30) in 2016. This group earned 88 As and 126 Bs of 298 votes, but also 21 Ds and 17 Fs.<\/p>\n

In the comments, there were quite a few criticisms of Jackson. That included \u201cBoucher keeps this from being a F\u201d (on a D grade), \u201cSometimes teams have a long-time announcer who sticks around because they do a great job and the fans love them, like Harry Kalas. Other times, you get Jim Jackson,\u201d and \u201cBouch is great, but Jackson is eh, hence the B.\u201d However, even more people liked Jackson, offering lines like \u201ccriminally underrated,\u201d \u201cthe best in the biz,\u201d \u201can A-list play-by-play,\u201d \u201cthe most underrated voice in the business,\u201d and \u201cshould have a network job.\u201d<\/p>\n

The booth overall earned some acclaim. That included \u201cJJ and Bouch really found rhythm this season,\u201d \u201cnatural chemistry,\u201d and \u201cJim and Brian both provide great commentary and are very entertaining to listen to.\u201d And Boucher got his own individual plaudits, including \u201ca strong analyst, particularly on goaltending nuances.\u201d<\/p>\n

10. Vancouver Canucks (John Shorthouse, Dave Tomlinson, also Ray Ferraro on analysis): 2.83
\n\"John<\/a>John Shorthouse and Dave Tomlinson on a 2024 Vancouver Canucks\u2019 broadcast. (Sportsnet, via Vancouver is Awesome.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: B (36.8% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 90.4%<\/p>\n

The Canucks\u2019 booth edged out the Flyers to crack the top 10, but it was close. Vancouver\u2019s booth drew a 2.831 average grade, while Philadelphia drew a 2.829. The Canucks\u2019 team drew fewer As (78 to 88, out of 261 and 298 votes, respectively) but also fewer Fs (10 to 17) and a higher percentage of A\/B\/C grades.<\/p>\n

Shorthouse has been working on Canucks\u2019 broadcasts in various capacities since 1996, starting as a reporter and substitute play-by-play voice on TV, moving to alternate play-by-play voice (especially on pay-per-view games), then calling games on radio from 1999 through the 2007-08 season. He\u2019s been the team\u2019s main TV voice since then.\u00a0Tomlinson has been the Canucks\u2019 main TV analyst, with Ferraro (known for a lot of national work on both sides of the border, currently with ESPN) working select games since\u00a0replacing John Garrett<\/a> ahead of the 2023-24 season and previously was their lead radio analyst from 2010-17.\u00a0Shorthouse and Garrett received a 2.09 in 2020 (19th of 31 teams) and a 2.42 in 2016 (14th of 30).<\/p>\n

The comments saw many offer particular accolades for Ferraro on the games he worked. That included \u201cA+ for Shorty and Ferraro, C- for Tomlinson\u201d (on an A grade), \u201cMuch better when Ray is colour commentating. Sometimes Tomlinson doesn\u2019t gel with Shorty as much,\u201d \u201cRay Ferraro is smart, funny and made the Canucks games so much better,\u201d \u201cRay is the best of the best,\u201d and \u201cFerraro the best.\u201d However, there was at least one dissenter with \u201cWould be A but I don\u2019t like Ray Ferraro\u201d (on a B grade).<\/p>\n

Shorthouse also drew significant praise. Some of that included \u201cas dry and witty as they come,\u201d \u201carguably the best voice in hockey,\u201d \u201ciconic voice to Canucks\u2019 fans,\u201d \u201cawesome,\u201d and \u201ca great complement\u201d (to Ferraro). But one respondent found him \u201cway overrated.\u201d There weren\u2019t a lot of particular comments on Tomlinson, apart from several people noting they miss Garrett.<\/p>\n

9. Chicago Blackhawks (Rick Ball, Darren Pang): 2.83
\n\"Darren<\/a>Darren Pang (L) and Rick Ball at a Chicago Blackhawks\u2019 FanFest event in 2024. (Chicago Blackhawks, via NHL.com.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: B (39.2% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 87.4%<\/p>\n

This is another group coming in at a rounded 2.83, but they snuck above the Canucks\u2019 team with a 2.832 versus a 2.831. That placement\u2019s also interesting considering Ball\u2019s long history with the Canucks; he was their main radio voice from 2008-14 once John Shorthouse moved to TV. Ball then left for the Calgary Flames, where he was the lead TV voice until leaving for the Blackhawks this offseason<\/a>, replacing Chris Vosters. He\u2019s also worked on Sportsnet\/CBC NHL coverage.<\/p>\n

Pang, known for current national work for TNT and NHL Network and past national work for NBC and TSN, is also relatively new to Blackhawks\u2019 broadcasts. He moved there ahead of the 2023-24 season<\/a> following 13 seasons on the St. Louis Blues\u2019 local broadcasts. Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk (with Steve Konroyd as a substitute analyst) received a 2.96 in 2020 (third of 31 teams) and a 3.17 in 2016 (second of 30), so this is a significant drop in both grades and ratings.<\/p>\n

However, this is still a top-ten result. And a lot of the comments here boosted Ball over Vosters (who held the play-by-play role from 2022-24) and Pang over the rotating cast<\/a> of analysts in 2022-23 following Olczyk\u2019s departure for the Seattle Kraken<\/a>. Those included, \u201cThankfully, they switched out Vosters for Ball. Great team,\u201d \u201cRick Ball is fantastic. They\u2019ll get even better with more time,\u201d \u201cRick Ball was a great addition,\u201d \u201cRick Ball was a major get,\u201d \u201cBall is such a step up from Vosters and seems to have reinvigorated Panger,\u201d and \u201cDarren Pang is one of the best if not THE best to ever do hockey color commentary.\u201d Still, several noted they significantly preferred Foley (who retired after the 2021-22 season<\/a>) and Olczyk.<\/p>\n

While almost all of the comments on Ball were favorable, there was more criticism for Pang. That included \u201cPanger should retire. If he mentions Gretzky again\u2026\u201d and \u201cPang is a master of saying in a hundred words what could be said in twenty.\u201d But there were still mostly positive comments on him, including \u201calways enjoyable\u201d and \u201cHis knowledge of the game and TV presentation, mixed with his enthusiasm and instant likability, is hard for others to match.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth mentioning that this booth not only called the team with the league\u2019s second-worst record (the Blackhawks went 25-46-11) but did so on the new Chicago Sports Network, which has had numerous carriage issues<\/a>. Several commenters complained about that network\u2019s distribution, and some also cited production issues on the new network. That was seen with lines like \u201cMajor issues with CHSN impacted the announcers too.\u201d<\/p>\n

8. New York Islanders (Brendan Burke, Butch Goring): 2.91
\n\"Brendan<\/a>Brendan Burke and Butch Goring ahead of a New York Islanders\u2019 broadcast, circa 2022. (MSG, via New York Islanders Hockey Now.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: A (39.1% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 86.0%<\/p>\n

This marks the first entry on this list with an A as the sole most common vote (the San Jose Sharks at No. 12 had the most common votes of both A and B). Burke and Goring received 120 A votes (of 307) and 103 Bs. However, they did receive 21 Fs.<\/p>\n

This team has been together since the 2016-17 season<\/a>, with Burke (who currently does national work for TNT, and worked NBC before that) replacing Howie Rose, and Goring has been the team\u2019s main analyst since 2010. This booth earned a 2.26 (17th of 31 teams) in 2020, while Howie Rose and Goring earned a 2.48 in 2016 (11th of 30 teams). So this is a notable step up from both those slots.<\/p>\n

In the comments, there was a lot of individual praise for Burke over Goring. That included \u201cBurke is great, Goring not so much,\u201d \u201cBurke is an A++ but Goring knocks this down to a B,\u201d and \u201cBB is A, Butch a C\u201d (on a B grade). Burke also received other laurels, including \u201cthe best in the business,\u201d \u201cthe best play-by-play guy to enter the league in the past 15 years at least,\u201d\u00a0 \u201cmanages to raise his voice with the rise and fall of game action without ever yelling and he keeps up with the game action like no one else.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Goring, in particular, much of the debate was about perceived homerism. Criticism there included \u201cButch seems like a nice guy, but turns the whole thing into a huge homer-fest\u201d and \u201cButch is entertaining, but also very homerish which moves the grade to a B.\u201d Another respondent said, \u201cIt\u2019s time to transition Butchy off air. It\u2019s gotten too old-man-get-off-my-lawn commentary from him over the last few seasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was also significant commendation for substitute analyst Thomas Hickey in particular, and some suggestions that he should get Goring\u2019s top job. But some readers\u2019 preferences went the other way, including with lines like \u201cBurke is dependable, but Butch is the reason for watching: unique, fun, and wise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall, these comments were even more positive than the total average grades. Some came with some caveats, including \u201cI get that Goring\u2019s brand of homerism isn\u2019t for everyone, but Burke is so, so good that he should more than makeup for that.\u201d But there were a lot of people who loved this broadcast, including \u201ctop-notch,\u201d \u201ca top five broadcast duo in the league,\u201d and \u201cthe best, bar none.\u201d<\/p>\n

7. Ottawa Senators (Gord Miller, Jamie McLennan, also Matt Cullen and Kenzie Lalonde on play-by-play and Mike Johnson on analysis): 2.94
\n\"Gord<\/a>Gord Miller (L) and Jamie McLennan on a 2024 Ottawa Senators\u2019 broadcast. (TSN on YouTube.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: B (37.4% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 89.3%<\/p>\n

We\u2019re back to Bs as the most common grade, but this group barely received more Bs (98 of 262) than As (94). Another significant factor contributing to their high ranking was their limited number of Fs, which was just 11.<\/p>\n

Famed national voice Miller has also been calling Senators\u2019 regional games for TSN since 2014, first alternating with Chris Cuthbert, then taking over the leading role once Cuthbert left TSN for Sportsnet in 2020; his work on Toronto Maple Leafs\u2019 broadcasts and in other roles leads to those substitute play-by-play voices, though. McLennan, who also co-hosts a TSN 1050 Radio show, has been involved in these broadcasts since 2014 and has served as the main analyst since 2020. Johnson also serves as a guest analyst here, in addition to his work on TSN local broadcasts for the Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.<\/p>\n

A wide-ranging group of Senators\u2019 broadcasters, including Miller, Cuthbert, McLennan, Johnson, Ray Ferraro, and Dave Poulin, earned a 2.86 in 2020, fourth of 31 teams. Miller, Cuthbert, Ferraro, and McLennan earned a 2.94 in 2016, sixth of 30 teams. So the average grade here is about the same as in those cases, but the ranking has dropped a bit.<\/p>\n

In the comments, many singled out Miller for particular praise. Lines there included \u201cI\u2019m only putting an A here for Gord Miller, arguably the most underappreciated broadcaster in hockey,\u201d \u201cMiller is A+,\u201d \u201cMiller might be the most underrated play-by-player in the sport,\u201d and \u201cMiller is a great voice for hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Comments on the other play-by-play voices were more split. Several singled out Lalonde with positive lines, including \u201cfantastic, she will just keep getting better\u201d and \u201ca great addition,\u201d but some disliked her. Others cited Cullen as everywhere from \u201cB\u201d to \u201caverage,\u201d and similar lines were heard for analysts McLennan and Johnson. And some suggested the broadcast without Miller isn\u2019t great, including \u201chuge drop if Miller isn\u2019t doing play-by-play.\u201d But the overall grades here were strong, and the comments suggested Miller was key to that.<\/p>\n

6. Toronto Maple Leafs (Chris Cuthbert and Craig Simpson on Sportsnet, Gord Miller and Mike Johnson on TSN): 2.97
\n\"Chris<\/a>Chris Cuthbert and Craig Simpson ahead of a Toronto Maple Leafs\u2019 broadcast. (Sportsnet.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: A (44.0% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 86.5%<\/p>\n

This was a challenging team to evaluate, considering that it has two unique regional broadcasts from different companies. But the overall reception here was highly positive, with the Leafs\u2019 groups receiving 124 A votes (of 284 total).<\/p>\n

Cuthbert and Miller have both been calling Leafs\u2019 local games since 2014 (both at TSN at first). Simpson and Johnson are newer to these particular lead analyst roles (holding those since 2021 and 2022, respectively), but both are also well-established hockey broadcasters, with Johnson also mentioned in these listings as the Canadiens\u2019 main regional analyst and an alternate analyst for the Senators. A wide-ranging group of Leafs\u2019 broadcasters (including all of these figures but Johnson, but also Jim Hughson, John Bartlett, Greg Millen, and Ray Ferraro) earned a 2.66 in 2020, eighth of 30 teams, while Paul Romanuk, Dave Randorf, and Millen earned a 1.93 (25th of 30 teams) in 2020.<\/p>\n

The comments saw significant praise for both Miller (with many lines similar to the praise for his work on Senators\u2019 regional broadcasts) and Cuthbert. Some of that included \u201cToronto market is gifted with the 2 best play-by-play guys in Gord and Chris,\u201d \u201cMiller and Cuthbert are very, very good,\u201d \u201cIt doesn\u2019t get much better than two Canadian icons to do play-by-play,\u201d and \u201cLeafs\u2019 fans may have had their share of suffering, but having Miller or Cuthbert for most games almost makes up for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The analysts drew more criticism. That included lines that Simpson is \u201cincredibly biased for the Leafs,\u201d \u201d terrible at commentary,\u201d and \u201caverage but nothing special.\u201d But he also drew praise for his knowledge. Johnson drew some more praise, as did TSN\u2019s telecasts overall, including \u201chigher energy,\u201d \u201cTSN broadcast far superior to Sportsnet,\u201d and \u201cTSN\u2019s crew is the best in the business.\u201d Overall, though, most of the praise was for the play-by-play voices.<\/p>\n

5. Dallas Stars (Josh Bogorad, Daryl \u201cRazor\u201d Reaugh): 2.99
\n\"Josh<\/a>Josh Bogorad and Daryl Reaugh ahead of a 2024 Dallas Stars broadcast. (Victory+, via Sports Video Group.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: A (43.8% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 89.6%<\/p>\n

This team has one of the more unusual backstories out there. Reaugh (also known for NBC and Hockey Night in Canada work) has been calling Stars\u2019 games since 1996 but in different roles. He started as an analyst alongside Ralph Strangis (who had started as the team\u2019s analyst in Minnesota in 1990 and stuck with them following their 1993 move to Dallas but switched to play-by-play in 1996). Strangis left the team after the 2014-15 season and was replaced by Dave Strader, but Reaugh wound up filling in on play-by-play for much of 2016-17 due to Strader\u2019s cancer battle before taking that role full-time in 2017-18. Ahead of the 2018-19 season, though, the Stars brought in Bogorad on play-by-play and shifted Reaugh back to analysis.<\/p>\n

In the votes, this team drew 137 As (out of 313 grades) and 84 Bs. That was the fifth-highest A total, so that\u2019s a key part of why they wound up in this spot. But their 16 Fs were relatively high for this spot, which prevented them from climbing higher. Bogorad and Reaugh topped this poll in 2020 with a 3.00, while Strader and Reaugh were third in 2016 with a 3.02.<\/p>\n

This batch of comments had a lot to say about Reaugh, and that was mostly positive, especially for his particular word usage. Lines there included \u201calways brings the energy and teaches me new words every broadcast,\u201d \u201cRazor\u2019s vocabulary is inspirational,\u201d \u201ca walking thesaurus and dictionary,\u201d and \u201cRazor is the best. His vocab and analogies are top-notch!\u201d But one critic said, \u201cReaugh\u2019s schtick was old 20 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bogorad drew some of his own plaudits. That included \u201cbrings the energy,\u201d \u201chas improved so much since he started,\u201d and \u201cdefinitely goes under the radar, superb at his job.\u201d Some struck comparisons to Strangis, with lines like \u201cJosh sounds a lot like Ralph Strangis, and they have the same chemistry together as Ralph and Razor did\u201d and \u201c100% not as good as the old Ralph Strangis and Razor pair, but since nothing will ever beat that, it\u2019s not bad\u201d (on a C grade).<\/p>\n

The overall sentiments for this duo were quite positive. That included lines like \u201cconsistently the best in the league!\u201d, \u201cyou can tell both guys have a passion for the game,\u201d and \u201cto say these two are goated is an understatement!\u201d<\/p>\n

Notably, with many teams in these rankings facing criticism for homerism, readers highlighted the perceived fairness of this duo to both teams. Remarks there included \u201d They never sugarcoat the team\u2019s performance and call out the Stars when mistakes are made or penalties incurred\u201d and \u201cone of the most impartial duos in the league.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another note here is that while a lot of the TV broadcasts in these rankings also double as radio simulcasts, this booth drew particular praise for ensuring their commentary works for radio listeners who can\u2019t see the game. The idea of a radio simulcast versus an independent feed will always be hotly debated, but those debates can be somewhat more muted if the TV team pays attention to serving the radio audience as well.<\/p>\n

4. Washington Capitals (Joe Beninati, Craig Laughlin): 3.09
\n\"Joe<\/a>Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin ahead of a Washington Capitals broadcast in 2019. (Joe Beninati on Facebook.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: A (50.3% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 88.0%<\/p>\n

The Capitals\u2019 booth received the second-highest raw A total (176 out of 350 votes) and the third-highest percentage of A votes. This is the first group to cross the 3.00 barrier for average grades, giving them an A overall. However, part of what led to them not climbing higher still came from 19 F votes, more than the two teams above them (but, interestingly enough, the same number as the top team).<\/p>\n

This is one of the longest-established booths in this list, with Beninati and Laughlin holding these roles since 1994. But it should also be mentioned that Alan May has served as an inside-the-glass analyst\/reporter on these broadcasts since 2014. Also, May took over the main color role<\/a> for a few months this year during Laughlin\u2019s recovery<\/a> from heart surgery. Beninati and Laughlin drew a 2.46 in 2020 (ninth of 31 teams) and a 2.37 in 2016 (15th of 30).<\/p>\n

In the comments, many lauded Beninati in particular. Those included \u201cmight be the best play-by-play announcer around,\u201d \u201celite,\u201d \u201cvoice is iconic,\u201d \u201cdeserving of national calls,\u201d \u201cso solid\u201d and more. There was some criticism for Laughlin, including \u201ctrying for talk radio stingers and sound bites too often\u201d and \u201cmonologues can be timed with a sundial.\u201d<\/p>\n

The comments overall were highly positive, though. Lines such as \u201cOne of the best pairings to ever do it,\u201d \u201calways enhance the game\u2026excellent chemistry,\u201d and \u201cThey\u2019ve been together forever, their banter never ceases to amuse, and they\u2019re always on top of the game\u201d showed off some of that.<\/p>\n

This duo also drew praise for their fairness. Comments there included, \u201cI really appreciate how they share info on both teams and also criticize their own team to show how to get better,\u201d and \u201cHomers, but fair. They criticize calls that benefit the Caps.\u201d And several noted their delight at the unusual deal struck<\/a> to let Beninati and Laughlin call national games during Alex Ovechkin\u2019s chase of Wayne Gretzky\u2019s career goals record for social media and archival purposes, as that made for some great<\/a> calls<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cTHE CHASING DAYS ARE DONE. ALEX OVECHKIN IS THE GREATEST GOAL SCORER IN THE HISTORY OF THE NHL!!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe Beninati on the call for Monumental Sports Network for Ovi\u2019s historic goal \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/zwJZIDYA6m<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Detroit Red Wings (Ken Daniels, Mickey Redmond): 3.11
\n\"Mickey<\/a>Mickey Redmond (L) and Ken Daniels ahead of a Detroit Red Wings broadcast in 2023. (FanDuel Sports Network Detroit on Facebook.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: A (52.1% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 88.5%<\/p>\n

This is another well-established booth. Redmond has been calling Red Wings\u2019 games on TV since<\/a> those rights were separated from their radio rights in 1985, although he only calls home games and short road trips now due to health challenges (Chris Osgood and Larry Murphy have been the main substitute analysts for longer road trips since 2019). Daniels has been the Red Wings\u2019 play-by-play voice since 1997.<\/p>\n

This team drew a 2.41 in 2020 (12th of 31 teams) and a 2.71 in 2016 (9th of 30), so this is quite the jump up for them. They received 159 A votes (out of 305) and only 12 Fs.<\/p>\n

The comments on this booth were full of praise, with most of them including some form of \u201cthe best.\u201d Other notable remarks there included, \u201cSuch an iconic duo. Both of their voices scream hockey, and you can feel the passion in Daniels\u2019 voice,\u201d \u201cLegends. Always worth tuning in for,\u201d and \u201cTop class, even when the team is bad. Someda,y the Wings will be good, and you\u2019ll get to hear peak Ken Daniels again.\u201d One respondent did note a preference for Redmond over Daniels, and another suggested these two have lost a step, but the overall comments were highly laudatory, even more so than the grades.<\/p>\n

2. Seattle Kraken (John Forslund, J.T. Brown; also Everett Fitzhugh on play-by-play and Eddie Olczyk on analysis): 3.22
\n\"John<\/a>John Forslund (L) and J.T. Brown around a Seattle Kraken broadcast. (Root Sports Northwest.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: A (53.1% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 91.8%<\/p>\n

The NHL\u2019s newest expansion team received one of the highest grades here. The Kraken began play in the 2021-22 season, so they weren\u2019t included in either of our prior rankings.<\/p>\n

This team has an interesting mix of broadcasters, including the well-established Forslund (who called games for the Hartford Whalers\/Carolina Hurricanes from 1991-2020 and has worked nationally for ESPN, NBC, TNT, and Prime Video) and Olczyk (national work for NBC and TNT, plus long local runs with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks before joining the Kraken as a substitute analyst ahead of the 2022-23 season), but also newer voices like Fitzhugh (usually the team\u2019s radio announcer) and Brown.<\/p>\n

Also, we didn\u2019t mention Alison Lukan in the listings.\u00a0However, she occasionally contributes in-game, in addition to\u00a0her regular intermission, pregame, and postgame work<\/a>, and she has received notable praise in the comments. That included \u201cthe best storyteller in all of hockey; she has a way of explaining the narrative of what\u2019s going on in the game like nobody else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those comments saw a lot of recognition for Forslund in particular. That included \u201cOutstanding production and Forslund is elite,\u201d \u201cForslund takes the time to explain some hockey 101 with \u2018for our newer fans\u2026,\u2019 and I appreciate that as a still newish hockey fan,\u201d \u201cJohn Forslund is the single best play-by-play guy in hockey. Can\u2019t believe he doesn\u2019t have a prominent national gig anymore,\u201d and \u201cJohn Forslund is the best. Period.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brown also earned praise. Many noted his improvement over time with lines such as \u201cForslund and Brown just get better every year\u201d and \u201chas gotten comfortable in the booth.\u201d He did see a couple of critics, though, including one who called him \u201cso f***ing talentless.\u201d<\/p>\n

Olczyk earned a lot of individual laurels as well. That included \u201cJohn and Eddie are a national-level booth,\u201d \u201cForsland and Olczyk the best,\u201d \u201ca fantastic analyst,\u201d and \u201cbest analysis in sports.\u201d But some disliked him, making comments like \u201cwhen the game or season is not important, the Olczyk schtick makes this a D\u201d (on an A grade) and \u201coverrated and very often not accurate in determining who touched the puck last if there is hesitation on who scored the goal or who made the block.\u201d Still, the overarching sense of the comments was in line with the respondent who said the Kraken \u201cknocked it out of the park\u201d with their hires.<\/p>\n

1. New York Rangers (Sam Rosen, Joe Micheletti; also Kenny Albert on play-by-play): 3.41
\n\"Sam<\/a>Sam Rosen (L) and Joe Micheletti ahead of a Oct. 13, 2024 New York Rangers broadcast. (MSG Network.)<\/p>\n

Most common grade: A (68.4% of votes)
Percentage of A\/B\/C grades: 92.4%<\/p>\n

What a way for Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti to go out. Rosen announced ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, his 40th year calling Rangers\u2019 local broadcasts, that he would retire at the end of the season. (Micheletti also announced his retirement but only did so after the season). Rosen drew national attention ahead of his retirement, especially down the stretch, with a special TNT broadcast<\/a> with former analysis partner John Davidson. And current and former<\/a> Rangers players<\/a> saluted him along the way, as did MSG colleagues<\/a> and the team<\/a> itself<\/a>. He summed all that up in an emotional signoff<\/a> last month:<\/p>\n

\u201cFinal game of this glorious broadcasting career\u2026 And to all of our crew and to everyone that I\u2019ve worked with here at Madison Square Garden Network, thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.\u201d \u2013 Sam Rosen. signing off pic.twitter.com\/uDwQYiSEr2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Rosen started calling Rangers\u2019 local TV games on MSG for the 1984-85 season, taking over from Jim Gordon and working alongside Phil Esposito. He\u2019d then work mostly with Davidson from 1986-87 through 2005-06, before the latter left to run the St. Louis Blues, and has since been working with Micheletti.<\/p>\n

Rosen and Micheletti placed fifth of 31 teams in our 2020 poll with a 2.85 and sixth of 30 in 2016 with a 2.78, so this is a big jump up for them. (For the record, the Dallas Stars\u2019 and Los Angeles Kings\u2019 booths finished first in those years\u2019 respective<\/a> polls<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

In the comments, many expressed their admiration for Rosen. That sometimes even came from rival fans, such as one Hurricanes\u2019 supporter who noted, \u201cHate the team with all my heart, but Sam Rosen is so freaking awesome. He\u2019ll be missed even down in Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many Rangers\u2019 fans chimed in how much they would miss \u201cthe legend,\u201d \u201cabsolute cream of the crop,\u201d and \u201cbest of the best\u201d Rosen as well, with some noting how he \u201cstill has it\u201d (although a small minority opined he had \u201clost his fastball\u201d recently). Others praised the choice of Kenny Albert<\/a> (who had been the main backup Rangers\u2019 TV announcer and their primary radio voice in addition to national work for TNT<\/a> and all his work in other sports<\/a>) as Rosen\u2019s successor but noted he has \u201cbig shoes to fill.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for Micheletti, several had high marks for him as well, including \u201cprovides great analysis\u201d and \u201cstill way underrated.\u201d But most of the comments boosted him and Rosen both, sometimes with plaudits for radio\/substitute TV voices Albert and Dave Maloney. That included \u201cNo one beats the smooth, informative and interesting perspectives of Sam, Joe, Kenny, and Dave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several people chimed in to praise the Rosen\/Micheletti duo\u2019s perceived fairness, and there were numerous remarks about how they would be missed. Those included \u201ca great duo,\u201d \u201cone of the most iconic duos in NHL broadcasting history,\u201d and \u201cwill greatly miss both of them.\u201d So, the Rangers will indeed have big shoes to fill here. However, it\u2019s great to see this team finish on top in these rankings.<\/p>\n

Thanks to all who voted and read!<\/p>\n

Pages: 1<\/a> 2\t