Tuesday, May 26

Neil Parker

2015-05-26

Paul Romanuk is the worst play-by-play caller in the league. It is easy to mix players up on occasion, and older folk often lose the puck, hell the younger ones do, too.

But Romanuk is a mess. I’m sure he is a great guy, though. No disrespect.

I feel like at least three times in the Anaheim-Chicago series he has credited a goal to the wrong player. There are two teams and 45(ish) players, it isn’t rocket appliances. I can distinctly remember two occasions and one was tonight.

Do some homework. Watch them skate. Find out their roles and who they typically play with. Learning their numbers might help, too.

What stands out most, though, is how frequently Romanuk will miscall a defenseman leading the rush or call the names of four forwards in sequence.

One of these things isn’t like the others, Paul. The miscalls don’t make sense. It is almost as if he is guessing.

A lot of times, former players and coaches make a smooth transition to the media side initially. They can call on their own experiences, but eventually, there isn’t anyone left they’ve played or coached against. Those analysts either do the work to stay in touch with the game, or they stand out as broken records that rely on sports idioms and adages.

What is Romanuk’s excuse? How can you consistently goof up names? Plus, wasn’t he banished to the Spangler Cup?

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I made a fantasy baseball trade this weekend, and as I’ve begun to surf the forums here, I feel like I have a somewhat unique approach to fantasy trades.

It is absolutely possible to trade away more value than you receive and improve your team. The notion of winning the deal has ruined many of opportunities to build a better club. The fear of a trade backfiring and losing the deal can be equally preventive.