NHL Awards Broadcast

[jds 20]

So far, a bit cheesy, no? Criss Angel struggling through the teleprompter dialogue of hockey terms that he obviously has no clue about is the low point so far. Does Bettman really think this approach will draw non-hockey viewers to watch? I watch piles of TV and I don't watch the Emmys so I would say,' No'.

[gerbe3:16 19]

Real housewives? Really? Really?

Wow. I'm glad I missed the Criss Angel bit. He should do some magic and make himself disappear. Permanently.

[jds 20]

Donny Osmond just gave out the Jack Adams to Dan Bylsma. DONNY OSMOND!

[Jason Harris 31]

Does Bettman really think this approach will draw non-hockey viewers to watch?

I went to the Awards show and the Draft last year with Kerry Goulet. Two of the musical acts were Snoop Dogg and Shinedown, while many in the audience appeared to be members of management in their 50's and 60's -- I can't imagine they have those acts on their iPods. I told Kerry that whoever was producing the broadcast must have had some markers he had to pay back, because there was no way anyone would think those were right for the demographics.

The next day, I saw Bettman alone in the hotel lobby, so just to strike up a conversation, I tell him in a voice that lets him know I'm only half serious, "No more Snoop Dogg or Shinedown!"

"Well, just because they might not be your or my choice, doesn't mean they aren't popular with a number of people."

"In the hockey world??? I doubt that."

"Our research tells us they're very popular, particularly with the younger kids."

He pretty much left me speechless, because it was instantly apparent that the lawyer in him was more concerned with winning an argument than in being right.

Later that evening, we're partying with Phil Pritchard (white gloves with the Cup) and a guy knows him and sits down next to Phil and me. It turns out he was the Director of Events for the NHL.

"So you're in charge of the planning for the Awards Program, right? Can I give you some feedback? No more Snoop Dogg or Shinedown!"

"Oh, no kidding! We didn't want them, but that was the producer. It was his call to use them, but we won't let that happen again."

So here's Bettman trying to feed me BS that the league's research told them the acts go over well with the hockey audience, while the Director of Events readily conceded they didn't want those artists!

[HolyRollie 0]

I wish they would just present it as a show for the players and the fans without stretching to try to attract viewers who would otherwise have no interest in the broadcast. As a dedicated fan, I was very disappointed with the weak humor and completely random entertainment acts.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I get having Dierks Bentley (Country singer and HUGE hockey fan) as a performer....but Far East Moment?

Or...does someone have a stick called the G6 these days.

I didn't watch it but a buddy texted me and said Jack Dennis is the voice over guy. Great guy and killer pipes. Hamilton native. He actually used to work for the station I work for. He is now living...and making a helluva living...in LA.

[EBondo 233]

I love Lappy and all, but I cannot believe Ray Emery didn't win the Masterton.

[the iceman 132]

Adrienne Maloof (one of the 'Real Housewives' that was there) is part of the Maloof family that owns The Palms.

[skyscrape 5]

Adrienne Maloof (one of the 'Real Housewives' that was there) is part of the Maloof family that owns The Palms.

Martin St. Louis! Did not even take the time to learn how to say names correctly! HAHA! St. Louis like the city! HAHAH! And their joke about the penalty box! I do not know what the names are but the one that looked she was literally wearing a plastic mask sounded like she was completely illiterate!

[jds 20]

"

"Well, just because they might not be your or my choice, doesn't mean they aren't popular with a number of people."

Ha! While reading your post I actually thought that Bettman's response would be something like that. He is so predictably defensive whenever questioned or pressed on an issue. I was really hoping you were going to say he did something human and chuckled and made a joke back to you.

[JTully317 11]

Didn't see the live broadcast, but saw the recap this morning on NHLnetwork. All the recipients seemed pretty grateful and humble when receiving the award. Jeff Skinner was great and it was kind of funny how his acceptance speech just kept going on and on. He was obviously in shock from winning and being there in general. What an honor and great feeling it must be.

[Jason Harris 31]

Ha! While reading your post I actually thought that Bettman's response would be something like that. He is so predictably defensive whenever questioned or pressed on an issue. I was really hoping you were going to say he did something human and chuckled and made a joke back to you.

I hadn't seen many interviews with Bettman over the years, so my opinion of him was open minded, to the contrary of most of the posts I had read here. Considering the man was about 60, and I had seen a number of 60-year-old men the night before not care too much for Snoop Dogg, I thought for sure his response was going to be something like, "Oh, I agree! That's not the market we're looking for. We'll have to make sure the producers we work with have a better understanding of who our core audience is."

But after meeting what was essentially a high-priced defense lawyer, here's my psycho babble on the guy: he's a small man and he's an intelligent man, and that's actually a dangerous combo with him. I'd bet good money the guy got picked on when he was younger, so he took satisfaction with using his brains to make other people feel just as small. The thing is he's grown to such a lofty position in his career, the other people already are "little," but it's obvious that being a contrarian is part of his DNA. I would assume that the guy has hundreds of acquaintances, but very few friends. I met a lot of gracious people from the league those couple of days -- Willie O'Ree is a delightful man -- but Bettman was a jerk.

Back to this year's awards, sure I'm a homer, but without attempting to take anything away from Lidstrom's spectacular career, I think Chara's 41 points and plus 33 (against the top lines of each team) would rank higher to a GM starting a team than Lidstrom's 62 points and minus 2.

[VakarLajos 5]

I caught about 15-20 minutes of it and was kind of baffled by the Real Housewives and Far East Movement as well.

Did they at least spell Lidstrom's name right this year?

[IPv6Freely 2096]

Back to this year's awards, sure I'm a homer, but without attempting to take anything away from Lidstrom's spectacular career, I think Chara's 41 points and plus 33 (against the top lines of each team) would rank higher to a GM starting a team than Lidstrom's 62 points and minus 2.

I personally agree, and I don't like Chara.

[jds 20]

I caught about 15-20 minutes of it and was kind of baffled by the Real Housewives and Far East Movement as well.

Did they at least spell Lidstrom's name right this year?

Not sure but the actress presenting the award called him "Lindstrom".

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

Did anybody else catch the GM of the Year presentation pics, when they showed Steve Tambellini's pic, and said it was Mike Gillis?