Changes coming to NBC this hockey season. According to a report from The Athletic’s Rick Carpiniello, longtime hockey analyst Pierre McGuire has been removed from NBC Sports number one hockey broadcast team.
Per impeccable source, Pierre McGuire has been removed from NBC Sports’ No. 1 hockey team, to be replaced by Brian Boucher.
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) September 4, 2019
According to the same report Brian Boucher, also an NBC analyst, will be replacing him. Boucher will join Mike “Doc” Emrick and Eddie Olcyzk on the number one team. Also, McGuire will reportedly stay on calling other games for NBC.
Regarding the previous tweet, Pierre McGuire is still going to be doing games for NBC. But Brian Boucher will be on the No. 1 team with Doc Emrick and Eddie Olczyk
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) September 4, 2019
However, according to John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal, who tweeted a statement from NBC Sports, the NHL plans to start the same way as they did last season. Boucher will broadcast the early game and McGuire the late game.
NBC Sports: “Identical to last year, we will begin the season with Doc, Eddie and Brian working the early Wednesday Night Hockey game, with Pierre anchoring the late game of the doubleheader.” https://t.co/GwTQRH0SOf
— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) September 4, 2019
Pierre McGuire Booted off NBC’s First Team
McGuire’s Future With NBC
McGuire has been a staple on television in the US ever since the NHL ended the 2004-05 lockout. He first appeared on Versus and Outdoor Life Network, then on NBC when they acquired the U.S. broadcast rights in 2006. He has been working full-time for the network ever since they signed a 10-year agreement with the NHL to have the broadcast games in the U.S.
With the agreement set to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season, it will be interesting to see how NBC handles McGuire going forward. He drew criticism for a series of awkward on-air exchanges with analyst Kendall Coyne Schofield in January. He ultimately apologized for his comments. Fans have complained about him during the broadcasts with some saying he rarely reports on the game, patronizes all the fans, and loves to tell us where everyone played junior or college hockey.
This move could be a temporary demotion and just how NBC starts off the hockey season. Or this move could be more permanent. McGuire could go from in between the benches to an in-studio role that suits him more. During TSN’s TradeCentre and the NHL Draft coverage, his knowledge of the young players is quite useful.
Don’t be surprised if NBC listens more to the fans this year. Fans could see more new faces this year as they try to continue to be the official national broadcaster of NHL games.
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