Potvin Out as Panthers Restructure Broadcasting Team
It was announced yesterday in the Panthers official website that the Broadcasting teams for the Panthers’ ‘FOX Sports Florida’ and ‘Sports Talk 790 the Ticket’ for the 2009-10 NHL season has been restructured.
Billy Lindsay, previously the radio analyst, has been moved to the TV broadcasting seat – to take the position previously held by Hall of Famer Denis Potvin. Denis had been with the franchise since its inaugural season and will be sorely missed by TV viewers in general and Panthers fans in particular. Randy Moller will deal with the Radio broadcasts on his own, while Steve Goldstein will continue as TV play-by-play announcer.
The decision to let Potvin go is claimed to be a financial decision and not a reflection on his work as TV analyst. Which, from a fans point of view, and regular viewer, I would personally deem as; insightful, colorful and richly understanding of the NHL hockey historical heritage and current state of affairs.
Denis will be missed by me and many more that has grown accustomed to his quirky comments and astute perception of the game unfolding before our eyes. His honesty will most likely also be missing in future broadcasts… Billy Lindsay is a competent analyst, but has some big skates to fill.
On the Sun Sentinel website Potvin said about the decision: "It’s tough. It’s very tough," adding that he’ll be trying to look forward instead of looking back. "You come to a point where you figure you’re a lifer with a company or a group. That’s not the case anymore. I was surprised. I was not expecting it."
Neither was anyone else outside of the Sunrise Sports & Entertainment group it would seem. And looking at the comments from fans after the announcement it seems clear that, as far as the fans are concerned, they feel it was a classless/gutless decision by the organization and they are far from happy with it. Many see it as a sign of the ownerships inability to run this franchise in a respectable and successful direction. Personally; I agree.
This is very sad news for the franchise, its credibility and all the fans, who like me, have enjoyed the rich smorgasbord that Denis Potvin have been able to present to all of us at our dining room tables; as we camp out in front of the TV to see how our beloved Panthers will fare on the night.
My gut feeling is that SSE president & chief operating officer Michael Yormark and his fellow cronies have made a big mistake in letting Denis go. However, whatever the real reasons may be (was he too honest about the Panthers’ shortcomings?) I, and most fans with me, wish Potvin the best of luck in his future endeavors and hope he’ll find another franchise that is better deserving and more grateful for his vast hockey wisdom.
Just a postnote to say that Michael Yormark has met the criticism labelled here and elsewhere in the Panthers community in his blog on the Panthers official website.
I’m very disappointed over this … I am going to miss Potvin…
I did read a post on the sun-sentinel with comments from Potvin – he seemed surprised he was the one “let go” – and to be honest, I am too … he’s been with the Panthers since the Franchise came to South Florida …