2016By David Rogers on

10. Buffalo Sabres: 2.68
-Rick Jeanneret (play by play)
-Rob Ray (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (34.84% of voters)

Jeanneret is not only one of the elder statesmen of the NHL, but has always been one of the more entertaining voices in the sport. And it’s a great excuse to give you what I feel is the greatest Jeanneret call in the history of histories:

https://twitter.com/sambone73/status/716435558747115523

9. Detroit Red Wings: 2.71
-Ken Daniels (play by play)
-Mickey Redmond (analyst)
-Chris Osgood (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (33.57% of voters)

Daniels and Redmond are a very good broadcasting team who have been doing this forever, and the grades reflect that as the Wings broadcasters only got single digit percentages of D’s and F’s. I only wish that Redmond wouldn’t step on Daniels’ goal calls so much. But that’s nitpicky. They are a good way to spend three hours.

https://twitter.com/nat_kwest/status/688887877388906496

8. New York Rangers: 2.78
-Sam Rosen (play by play)
-Joe Micheletti (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (45.89% of voters)

Sometimes the game seems too fast for the 68-year- old Rosen who misses plays and misidentifies players, but relatively speaking, he’s still in the upper-third of local announcers. Micheletti has the ability to see a replay and know what happened in the video, which sounds basic but is an ability few analysts have. Throw in the fact that John Giannone is the best between-the-benches guy that doesn’t do national games and overall it’s a solid group.

7. San Jose Sharks: 2.88
-Randy Hahn (play by play)
-Jamie Baker (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (41.44% of voters)

This is the rare announcing duo that does national broadcasts on NBCSN and you actually love it and look forward to it. They don’t see everything through Sharks-colored glasses, at least not when a national audience is watching. Hahn is sharp and Baker, who had the tall task of replacing the beloved Drew Remenda a few years ago, is able to quote advanced stats when necessary.

https://twitter.com/SLemos35/status/724430473821360129

https://twitter.com/ViewFromBensch/status/723996691603419136

6. Ottawa Senators: 2.94
-Gord Miller, Chris Cuthbert (play by play)
-Ray Ferraro, Jamie McLennan (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (42.74% of voters)

Ottawa Senators fans are spoiled getting some of TSN’s best to cover their local broadcasts. Miller and Cuthbert are both great in the booth while McLennan and Ferraro are both quality analysts who know the game well and actually apply their previous NHL experience in an insightful way. It’s a treat to listen to the entire team. The A grade is fitting.

https://twitter.com/AndyCole84/status/724320355079221248

5. Carolina Hurricanes: 2.98
-John Forslund (play by play)
-Tripp Tracy (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (49.72% of voters)

The Hurricanes have been terrible the last few years, but their fans are lucky enough to have John Forslund call their games for an entire season. Forslund and Tracy are an upper echelon duo that fell just short of 50% A grades.

https://twitter.com/NotDeadRyanDunn/status/719995468390883328

https://twitter.com/Beeeeeegg/status/719017021376217088

4. St. Louis Blues: 2.99
-John Kelly (play by play)
-Darren Pang (analyst)
-Bernie Federko (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (47.75% of voters)

Some may criticize John Kelly and Darren Pang of being homers, but the two have a perfect combination of hockey knowledge of chemistry. Kelly’s smooth play-by-play work is complemented nicely by Pang and his Pangisms (“And why wouldn’t he?”, “The ol’ 9 of hearts”).

https://twitter.com/ShattInMyKirk/status/708386962021810176

3. Dallas Stars: 3.02
-Dave Strader (play by play)
-Daryl Reaugh (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (48.01% of voters)

The Stars were lucky enough to have Dave Strader fall into their laps after Ralph Strangis retired to pursue other opportunities. Strader and Reaugh are a consistently excellent announce team who plays it down the middle. Stars fans are lucky to have them.

https://twitter.com/TravisSBN/status/675494752398258178

2. Chicago Blackhawks: 3.17
-Pat Foley (play by play)
-Ed Olczyk (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (61.70% of voters)

Foley and Olcyzk have more exposure than most local crews due to Olcyzk’s work on NBCSN. The network has used the Chicago announcers during the playoffs for Blackhawks games to mostly positive results. They’ve been able to maintain the fine line needed for national games, but some will say they cheer too hard for Chicago. Still, they’re some of the best in the business.

https://twitter.com/COOLNSPOOKY/status/721777898840014848

1. Los Angeles Kings: 3.26
-Bob Miller (play by play)
-Nick Nickson (play by play)
-Jim Fox (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (64.32% of voters)

Miller and Fox have been among the best in the business for many years now. And as Miller recovered from heart surgery, Nickson went from radio to television and Kings telecasts didn’t skip a beat. The only bad thing I could say about the Kings broadcasts was when Patrick O’Neal said that Brad Richards was playing in his first Winter Classic when he was actually in his record fifth Classic. But again, that’s nitpicky and not reflective in our grades. Miller and Fox earned the top spot.

https://twitter.com/grundonlaw/status/686062612006612992

About David Rogers

Editor for The Comeback and Contributing Editor for Awful Announcing. Lover of hockey, soccer and all things pop culture.

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