Versus Network - Worst thing to ever happen to hockey?

I agree that Bettman is the worst thing to happen to hockey. I don't think Versus is to blame for a lack of hockey viewers. The problem is that if ESPN was raking in the viewers with their NHL coverage they would have done whatever was necessary to keep it. ESPN's announcers weren't that great either unless you're really into Gary Thorne screaming like an idiot every time anything happens on the ice. I do like that Versus puts some games online through Yahoo sports. It allows a guy stuck in NM to see the NHL.

I recently switched to Dish Network and do not have Versus anymore...but im not crying. The allstar game coverage was horrible. Clement is the only true announcer they have but hes in the studio. The highlite packages of other nhl games during intermissions are poorly constructed. The only good feature they have is live streaming video online of some other nhl games on that night that are out of your viewing area. Being a Leafs fan living in Ohio, its nice to watch see them on there once a month or so. Gary Bettman dropped the stick after the lockout. He could have had ESPN but he was asking too much money. Lets face it, hockey is a great sport but hard to market in todays society. People dont like the fighting and such. I personally love it because hockey hasnt changed much over its course (other than shootouts and helmets and such). Bettman was good for the game 10 years ago...but I think its time to get an ex-player in office that understands the true game of hockey. For gods sake, do not renew the contract with Versus!!

Never knew of Eddie O to be on VS. I thought he was only on NBC. Although I never watch VS, and only heard Eddie O covering Penguins game. Well in that case he is bound to sound somewhat Bias. He was their Coach and former player. So the others talk to him about the team and how he was the Coach. It isn't as much him being bias as them taking advantage of him being the former coach and making him sound more bias. Although Penguins games are carried on Fox Sports network(FSPittsburgh) so I don't have to try to watch VS. I have tried to watch it and they sound like idiots most of the time, they need REAL broadcasters. Also the signal is crap for that channel on my cable. I don't know why but probably the network is part of it.

The worst thing to ever happen to hockey was the lockout after the 2004 season, which prompted ESPN to drop hockey, and then signing on with OLN, which we all know is Versus now.

Bettman and his gang of yes-men preferred to bury the sport next to the Home Shopping Network rather than eat the dollars in exchange for better exposure on espn.

Now we have to listen to Jonesy and blond boy yell at the camera because they've been taught that louder = more exciting.

OHL and Versus are the same thing bud.

And I don't care as I'm not American and am used to high quality broadcasting which is easily accessible.

Americans have their local networks for their team, and people who really want national coverage get satellite, so it's all good

Worst thing to ever happen to hockey was the player "strike" first and then their awful choices in televison networks, although Versus is better than OLN.

i like the glowing p.c.. it's going to make it easier for people to work out the p.c.. for that reason rankings will flow up. don't get me incorrect what now we've's undesirable yet as quickly as they acceptable the technologies it may rather help issues out. yet in answer on your question no Bettman isn't the worst. the lock out became into, yet ol Gary is an relatively close 2nd.

well for now it is the only network carrying nhl games unless you have center ice or are lucky enough to get tsn or the nhl channel, at least they carry hd games. bettman will fall soon relax

Gary Bettman - worst thing to ever happen to hockey.