Chris Cuthbert brought a seismic wave to TSN, Rogers Sportsnet, CFL, and the NHL on Friday with his move from TSN to Rogers Sportsnet. The seismic wave will lead to a few aftershocks.
Cuthbert was fired by CBC during another break in the sports world during the 2004-2005 NHL lockout. TSN grabbed him quickly and called CFL and NHL games for TSN until Friday.
Let's look at the primary branches affected by the Cuthbert decision:
NHL at Sportsnet
Chris Cuthbert likely didn't make the move to be the #2 on Hockey Night in Canada. If Cuthbert is in the top chair, Cuthbert would likely work with Garry Galley or, if Rogers splits up the current top crew, Craig Simpson. Putting Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson together out west would save Rogers some airfare.
Hughson and Simpson could agree to give up the Stanley Cup final for a set time, knowing they will get that back when Cuthbert retires.
Cuthbert and Galley would call Toronto Maple Leafs games on CBC; amusing that since Cuthbert covered the Leafs for TSN and he worked for a long time on CBC.
Back to the future! pic.twitter.com/MuP6OqnBVY
— Chris Cuthbert (@CCpxpSN) June 5, 2020
CFL on TSN
Cuthbert has called 21 of the last 24 Grey Cup games, the last 12 for TSN and 9 with CBC. Mark Lee called the Grey Cup for CBC in 2005-2007. Cuthbert noted yesterday that he has now called a Grey Cup win with every current CFL team.
TSN set a recent record with the number of people calling CFL games in 2019. Dustin Nielson called a few games. Rod Smith is a strong option. Farhan Lalji called a game in Vancouver. Kate Beirness, who hosted the studio panel during the Thursday night games, and Sara Orlesky could get more air time.
Rod Black is the #2 guy and will likely stay in that spot thanks to his numerous other commitments. Rick Ball could be a wild card if TSN takes over the Calgary Flames telecasts. Ball used to call the BC Lions on radio.
The question is which announcer would call the biggest games of the year. If there is a 2020 season, Gord Miller and Rod Smith would be the top contenders to call those games. Gord Miller could be the top CFL guy if he wants the job. TSN might need him to be that top person for 3 weeks in November.
Episode 212 of The Waggle CFL podcast was devoted to Chris Cuthbert's top CFL calls. The podcast feels more like a tribute now.
NHL on TSN
Gord Miller and Chris Cuthbert split the full local schedule of Ottawa Senators games and half of the local Toronto Maple Leafs games. The simplest solution would be to promote Dean Brown back to Ottawa TV. Brown did Ottawa TV during the week on Rogers Sportsnet East and CBC on Saturdays before Rogers took over the national contract.
The job would belong to Brown if he is interested. Brown may be content to keep doing games on radio, his current position at TSN 1200 in Ottawa.
Bryan Mudryk, the current Montréal Canadiens play-by-play person, could help out with the Ottawa Senators with Dan Robertson, TSN 690 Habs radio play-by-play moving up to TV on TSN2.
Paul Romanuk, who broadcast NHL games from 1989-2001 for TSN, could be an outside hire.
These moves would reduce the workload for Gord Miller. Miller could split the Ottawa games with Mudryk, who would likely work Maple Leafs games during the World Juniors tournament.
NHL on NBCSN
Cuthbert could theoretically pick up some games for NBCSN even while working on Hockey Night in Canada. TSN didn't have a concern but Rogers likely will try to avoid the extra games south of the border.
Gord Miller could work more games for NBCSN if the Ottawa workload is reduced or eliminated.
"Something special about following a Canadian team and a Canadian run during the playoffs when you're covering it in Canada, looking forward to that again," Cuthbert said yesterday.
How Rogers NHL deal can affect CFL coverage
CanadianCrossing.com CFL coverage
CanadianCrossing.com NHL coverage
"As the NHL’s return to play approaches, more details on Sportsnet’s NHL broadcast team and coverage will be announced." This came from Sportsnet yesterday when the cable channel announced the Cuthbert move.
Cuthbert's TSN contract had expired on May 30. He noted that TSN made an offer to keep him.
We mentioned Mark Lee earlier. Lee is the only other person to call the Grey Cup since 1996. Lee would be a good choice to back up Ball if TSN gets the Calgary Flames. He has considerable football and hockey experience but hasn't been used since 2014.
Last season, Rogers Sportsnet lured John Bartlett from TSN. Now Cuthbert has joined the team. Rogers hoped to lure Cuthbert and other key TSN talent when the organisation acquired the NHL rights in 2014. If Cuthbert were a decade younger, he might not have made the move. The 12-year contract is an albatross around the neck of Rogers but the length has some advantages. Rogers will think the company is better off for getting Cuthbert; he is there primarily because he would be 70 when the next contract is negotiated.
Interestingly, Cuthbert could have called the Stanley Cup final on NBCSN, replacing Doc Emrick at some point. Cuthbert chose to do this in Canada. Can't blame him a bit.
photo credit: Rogers Sportsnet
Twitter capture: @CCpxpSN
If i'm NBC, i need announcer if Doc Emrick decides to hang it up. Like Bryan Mudryk, the current Montréal Canadiens play-by-play person, he could help out, or Gord Miller too. Remember the NFL season heats up, so they wont have Kenny Albert aviable. What about Paul Romanuk?
Posted by: danderson400 | July 11, 2020 at 07:10 PM
Doc's replacement will need to be full-time. Chris Cuthbert could have been that person and still doing CFL. Gord Miller's plate is pretty full. Curious this year if he helps out more with NHL on NBCSN since the World Championship isn't an issue. If the NFL starts on time, Kenny Albert would have conflicts but if not traveling, he can help out more.
I don't think NBC has any interest in Bryan Mudryk or Paul Romanuk. They should try for Dean Brown (Ottawa) to help out this year on NHL.
Posted by: Chad | July 13, 2020 at 09:17 PM
That's correct. Doc's replacement will need to be full-time. I'm guessing, now that the Hurricanes have pretty much removed him, John Forslund seems to be the favorite. I'd be interested in seeing how Mike Tirico does, too.
Posted by: danderson400 | July 29, 2020 at 11:38 PM