Melrose back with ESPN

Just FYI, here is the announcement from ESPN:

Barry Melrose, a knowledgeable, passionate and enthusiastic hockey analyst, will return to ESPN on January 1, 2009, coinciding with the NHL’s Winter Classic game, to be held at Wrigley Field in Chicago.  Melrose will appear regularly on SportsCenter and ESPNEWS, often appearing with current ESPN NHL analyst Matthew Barnaby. 

“I am very, very excited about coming back home to ESPN where I have had so many great years,” Melrose said.  “I look forward to analyzing people being fired rather than being the guy fired.”

Mark Gross, ESPN senior vice president and managing editor, studio production, added, “We welcome Barry back to ESPN.  By pairing him with Matthew, ESPN enhances its NHL coverage and provides hockey fans the in-depth analysis and insight from both the coach and player perspectives.”

Melrose left the network in June 2008 to accept the Tampa Bay Lightning head coaching job.  His first full-time stint with ESPN began in October 1996. He had previously worked as a studio analyst for ESPN’s Emmy Award-winning 1994 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and for ESPN and ESPN2 during the 1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

From 1992 to April 1995, Melrose was the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. In his debut season, his team advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.

In March 1998, the native of Canada was sworn in as a U.S. citizen.

Comments

[olin]

...LOL since no "KUNG" starkol, I go for my Warsteiner(Euro) glog at the truck.

[KenB]

PD You're drinking the wrong beer. This is Hockey drink the Molson. Same $10 as the swill.

[Patrick]

I couldn't believe the selection of Melrose for coach. I did not think it was going to work, but it was far worse than I expected. The team looked disorganized and he was canned after 16 games. That's the shortest tenure as head coach I've heard of in any sport - he made through 20% of the season. As bad a decision as it was, I'm glad the cowboys were able to admit their mistake and correct it. The team looks much more creditable on the ice now. I'm willing to keep Tocchet based on the improvement in play the team has shown so far and for fear of who the cowboys might select next if Melrose was their first choice.

[PD]

Brenden they taste like 20oz beer and 4 oz of Tampa H2o at 10 bucks.

Have them before the game.

[BrianB23]

Yea, I refuse to bash Tocchett... yet. Granted, I'm not thrilled with his criminal past, but that is just that... the past.

So far he has established what I think is a decent system, the players like him, and we have the talent. We just need time to gel together as a team.

I'm just glad to see everyone else question who is wearing the "C", because its obvious there is no leadership in the locker room. I know Tim Taylor used to read these comments, maybe others in the organization will too.

[Marv]

Agree, Tocchett deserves a chance. It appears he is starting to make an impact. Our team problem is not talent, but attitude and desire. There are those who are not pulling the load. And, even question if the "C" is hung on the right sweater! Now, the question is will management back Toc? If not, then he will never succeed.
Marv

[olin]

...would someone please knock phil kessel's hat off tonite.

[keith]

I always enjoyed Melrose on TV and am glad to see him there again. He was not a fit in Tampa, so everyone moves on. I like what I'm seeing with Tocc, even though he has never coached a team before in his life, at any level,the team is not far from being competitive on a nightly basis. Still hate to say but I think the season will end after regular games, but there's always next year!
Stamkos will come good......

[Boltnutt]

Toccchet deserves his 16 games just like Barry. Not really, the season is wasted already, I think he should have a fair shot. Who knew Torts would do what he did after taking over mid-season from Ludzig. Maybe the Tocch-ster will surprise us.

[brendan]

Has anybody noticed that the 24 ounce beers in the concourse went up to $10.00 from $8.50? What is that all about? With these high ticket prices, high concession prices, lousy hockey, OK Hockey is not getting a lot of my dollars this year. No Sir!!!

[McGz]

I wonder if the Lightning do still owe him the life of the contract? I never understood how there isn't a You're Fired! clause in pro sports contracts, where if you're fired, guess what, you aren't still going to get paid. Might give them an incentive to work a little harder while they are actually under contract.

[Bob]

Tocchet needs to go also. It looks as long as the OK circus is running the show our team will suck.

[D]

Let's give Tocchet a shot here. He deserves the rest of the year. He got wedged into a tough spot behind Melrose with a team that doesn't seem to care about winning and a bunch of guys who haven't played together. Let's see what he can do. If it's not up to snuff, then get Torts back here in plenty of time to reestablish Camp Torturella and set the tone right from the start next season.

[The Voice of the Turtle]

I am starting my own NHL broadcaster fantasy team and appointing Barry Melrose as co-captain with Al Strachan.

A few years ago, ESPN gave up the contract to broadcast NHL games but retained Melrose. This was tantamount to throwing away the baby and KEEPING the bath water.

[Jim- NJ]

I'll take torts back in a heartbeat!!

[Hockey1stLove]

Thought it was funny, when on TSN last night, they were joking with Torts about coming back to coach in Tampa, (Maurice back to Carolina) and today you tell us Melrose is back at ESPN - -so funny

[Oscar]

Le Mullet is gone, W.G.A.S.?

I resent the fact our club will be the punch line for jokes about Melrose, and that distinction was afforded us by head in the clouds Koules. Hey Cubby, want a cool fantasy team? Go with more big names such as Larry Robinson, Chris Pronger, and Jarome Iginla for our Captain.
Dream on...

When you're ready to deal with reality, start doing the right things the right way and clean house. Buy out Len Barrie and give Lawton the heave-ho. Start building this thing called Lightning Pride....with or WITHOUT Lecavalier.

Lightning Pride, where does it begin and with whom?

Don't copy anybody or any other system. Let's develop our own. Just start with quality people that ooze and stress integrity, and go from there.

Go Bolts!

[hockeytalkie]

wonder if OK was smart enough to include a out-clause in the contract in the event ESPN rehired him?

based on how savvy he's been thus far i'd say... Nah!