Chicago Blackhawks aim for stability with new broadcast teams

With new broadcast teams, the Chicago Blackhawks seek stability.

On the large video board, the team’s starting lineup is displayed prior to each Chicago Blackhawks home game.

There should have been a lineup for the TV booth and studio staff for Hawks fans watching at home during the previous season.

Patrick Sharp or Troy Murray would they be joining play-by-play announcer Chris Vosters?

Would Murray join John Wiedeman on the radio or in the TV booth?

Would Wiedeman be in the NBC Sports Chicago studio with Pat Boyle that evening, or would she be sharing the radio booth with Caley Chelios?

Colby Cohen could be found in the studio, in the seating area, or occasionally in the booth.
Did he get to claim mileage for his legs?

Although Scott Darling, a former goalie for the Hawks, sat in the same chair in the studio, his position during the broadcast was up for grabs.

The Hawks and the crew admit they struggled for continuity and chemistry, so the changes they made in the offseason amount to more than just a few tweaks.
However, no local TV lineup is the same for all local broadcasts.

The Hawks replaced Sharp with former Blues analyst Darren Pang after the latter accepted a front office position with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Darling’s presence on the pre- and post-game show has diminished since Cohen relocated to the Philadelphia region.

Hockey podcaster and former Hawks enforcer John Scott is joined by former Hawks greats Chris Chelios, Denis Savard, and Tony Granato as new guest analysts.
A celebrity or some other alumni might show up.

As he did last year, Charlie Roumeliotis, Boyle’s co-host on the “Blackhawks Talk Podcast,” will periodically appear in the studio and offer his analysis of the game and the locker room.

When Pang does national broadcasts or radio in spot duty, Caley Chelios, Chris’ daughter and a former Tampa Bay Lightning radio analyst, will step in.
Other than that, she is committed to serving as the primary analyst and partner to studio host Boyle, who is starting his 12th season, and Chelios, who is in her third season.

According to Hawks Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz, “I think one thing we learned was to create some stability and predictability to our booth.”.
“So it’s those two (Boyle and Caley Chelios), and sometimes games we can add a third just to spice it up or if it’s a special night we’ll do that,” Boyle said. But the good news is that the essence still exists.
“.

There will be a lot of eyes on the Hawks this year, especially with the addition of Connor Bedard, Scott predicted.

Boyle expressed similar views to Wirtz.

He guessed that everyone wanted to give the product more consistency and stability.

After this season, the Hawks and Bulls’ affiliation with NBC Sports Chicago ends, and with it, the cast.

Boyle took some of the criticism of the studio and in-game broadcast personally even though most of it wasn’t directed at him.

He actively contributed to the summer cast selection for “Blackhawks Pregame/Postgame Live” by suggesting Scott.

Because I’m competitive as well, I was sitting there one night contemplating our future and how we’re going to improve as a studio show, Boyle said.
I want to release the best possible product because this show has won Emmys.
“.

In the first period of a preseason game against the Blues on Sept.
16, Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) chats with teammates between shifts in play. the United Center on February 28th, 2023. (Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune).

If a guest’s personality isn’t Paul Bissonette’s, Boyle doesn’t want them trying too hard to sound like him on the show.
There are other ways to spice up the show, though.

It’s personality-driven, that’s one thing I notice when I watch TNT’s NBA and NHL shows, he said.
It responds to social media and displays a tweet that reads, “This is what (Wayne) Gretzky said,’ or “This is what Gretzky tweeted about Connor Bedard’s first goal.
‘.

“We want to do stuff like that to interact with the fans in a fun way, teach people along the way, and share player stories.
We’re watching sports, which is the best reality show. You never know what will occur on a given night.
“.

Boyle believes Scott can contribute a lot of these aspects, especially humor.

Boyle said, “I thought when I heard his podcast, he seemed really conversational, funny, and didn’t take himself too seriously.
You can tell he’s passionate about the sport.
“.

Boyle and Scott were thought to have a great rapport on camera by the Hawks and NBC following some screen testing.