Devils have just 2 games on NBCSN all of 2014-15 season

NEW YORK —

If you’re out of state and were planning on catching the Devils a few times on NBC Sports Network in the upcoming season, you’re in for a rude awakening.

The Devils were “awarded” just two dates on the sports network in the 2014-15 season of the 100 games the networks of NBC will air.

The two dates are Nov. 4, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. against St. Louis in Newark and Feb. 17, 2015 against Buffalo in Newark. The Devils have yet again been screwed by this money-hungry league.

This is a sharp decline in nationally televised games. In the lockout-shortened season, the Devils had 16 dates on NBC or NBCSN.

But the Devils aren’t the least-televised team by any means.

The Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senator, New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens won’t be featured at all on NBC or NBCSN in the upcoming season. Arizona gets one game.

The team with the most appearances? Comcast and NBC-owned Philadelphia, which gets 15 games on NBC and NBCSN.

Oh and the Buffalo Sabres, you know, the team that had one of the worst regular-season records last year? They’re on 11 times -- but that is clearly a business move since the Sabres TV numbers are off the charts.

The lack of Canadian teams makes sense. But this schedule is about as absurd a schedule as I’ve ever seen.

Our proverbial hat is tipped to Bill Scardefield to alerting us to the announcement of this hideous schedule.

What are your thoughts? Comment here, on Google+ or on our Facebook Group. We hope you’ll consider sharing posts you enjoy with other Devils fans on Facebook, Twitter and Google so that we can continue to grow.

NBCSN breaks away from NHL Draft without notice before 1st round was over ... in as horrendous a move as is possible

By Kevin Canessa Jr.
NewJersey-Devils Publisher

PHILADELPHIA —

When the clock struck 10 p.m. last night, NBC Sports Network broke away from coverage of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft, and except for a stupid crawl at the bottom of the screen that said “Programming Alert,” said absolutely nothing about it.

Of course, they really couldn’t say anything about it since they were borrowing TSN’s coverage (which, by the way, was the last official NHL-related TSN broadcast for the foreseeable future, thanks to Rogers SportsNet).

And while it pales in comparison to the “Heidi Jets Game,” it’s nonetheless a sign that the NHL still gets little respect, even from its broadcast partners.

What is clear is NBCSN only had a three-hour window for the draft. Once the time frame was up, they went to some other programming. I was so pissed I don’t even remember what it was that was so important to preempt the last three picks in the draft’s first round.

Now mind you, the rest of the first round was available on NHL Network and NBC Sports Live Extra. But not everyone has access to the NHL Network -- and certainly, most don’t use Live Extra, though I do.

Bottom line here -- no other sport would allow this. Imagine ESPN breaking away from the NFL draft for Sportscenter? It just wouldn’t happen.

But it still happens in the NHL.

And it’s part of the reason the sport we love so much will always play fourth-fiddle to the other big three.

Horrendous job by the league -- and even more horrendous job by NBC Sports Network.

What are your thoughts? Comment here, on Google+ or on our Facebook Group.

We’ll be blogging a little tonight about the draft in Philly

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —

Tonight here on NewJersey-Devils.com, we’ll be blogging a little. Not so much about the picks, but about the sideshows -- perhaps trades, someone saying something having a hot mic, the reaction of the normally very tame fans in Philadelphia, comments made by the broadcasters, etc.

Watch the draft live on NBC Sports Network or via NBC Sports Live Extra online in the U.S. or on TSN in Canada. Wonder if TSN gets or even wants the draft coverage in 2015? Rogers must get that, too.

Oh, and yeah, last year’s draft logo was considerably nicer.

What are your thoughts? Comment here, on Google+ or on our Facebook Group.

For all the times I’ve made fun of him, it hit me yesterday: I really like ‘Regis’ Pierre McGuire

‘Regis’ Pierre McGuire

I don’t quite get why “REGIS” PIERRE McGUIRE is so reviled across the country. Maybe it is jealousy because he gets the best standing seat in the house at NBC and NBCSN games. Perhaps it’s because sometimes, he asks silly questions.

But the other night, aside from when he uses the French pronunciation of Alain — you’re from Englewood, N.J.,  remember, Regis — it hit me: This guy is actually as good as it gets in a sport that doesn’t always get he most attention.

Sure, I’ve known he sometimes seeks out players who call him “Pierre” after his questions are over. He definitely loves when MARTIN St. LOUIS says “Thanks, Pierre.” After all, why else would he put a mic back at a player after the interview is over other than to see whether the player calls him by name.

Side note: The one time I really think McGuire loused things up bigtime was when PETER DeBOER and JOHN TORTORELLA screamed at each other between benches. He is where he is to report — and he didn’t report what they said — despite having an obligation to do so.

(For the record, ALAIN VIGNAULT says“Pierre,” whilst DARRYL SUTTER does not).

Yet aside from his little quirks, the guy loves this sport. And he loves explaining the game to others.

It seems in the world of announcing, no one is ever satisfied.

I still do not know anyone who likes JOE BUCK in baseball or football.

What hockey fan wouldn’t give anything for this ‘seat’ on a nightly basis?

I’ve yet to hear someone say “AL MICHAELS is great.”

Many say “GARY THORNE screams too much.”

I’ve even heard people say “I cannot stand BOB COSTAS doing baseball games.”

Even some people detest DOC EMRICK (those people are clearly mentally disturbed).

And McGuire is no exception to this rule.

But I guess I am the greater exception here — “Regis” Pierre McGuire really isn’t all that bad. And I just decided I wanted to say that.

Who is your favourite hockey announcer? Your least favourite?

Share your responses on Facebook, in the comments section or on Google+

Kenny Albert is NBC’s no. 2 PBP in the conference finals

KENNY ALBERT

It appears Kenny Albert, the Rangers’ radio voice, is NBC’s choice for the Western Conference Finals on NBC and NBCSN.

We’re not sure if he’ll be doing all the games — but if he is, this is a great decision on NBC’s part. Albert has done a tremendous job over the years on the national level. And should be the heir apparent for when Doc Emrick ultimately retires.

Dave Strader had been the no. 2 guy on NBC and NBCSN for NHL games late in the post-season.

If he does do the rest of the Kings-Hawks series, it’ll mean he’s pretty busy the next two weeks — he’ll be going from Montreal to Chicago to Montreal to New York to Los Angeles and thensome.

Well done, Kenny.

Find Kenny Albert on twitter @kennyalbert ... 

Betcha didn't know: Pierre McGuire's real name is Regis

Pierre is actually Regis McGuire's middle name. Here's his high school yearbook photo. He's from North Jersey, to boot. Looks like he achieved his career goals, too — but wondering about squash. Thanks to the great Kevin M. Cocca for this treasure. Visit Cocca's bar/lounge website — and then go to it, in Hoboken, by the way. It's called Trinity. Click here.

Sunday's game at Pens could be flexed to 12:30 p.m. on NBC

Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, originally slated for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop on NBCSN could be flexed to 12:30 p,m. on NBC, according to numerous reports.

It was originally believed NBC's flexing wouldn't start until April, but that's not the case.

As of now, Los Angeles at Detroit is the Sunday afternoon game.

We'll let you know as soon as we know for sure.

Pierre says Devils are in trouble; of course, now that he's said that, the team should be just fine

There probably isn't anything better in hockey prediction-wise than to be picked against by Pierre McGuire. See for yourself — and don't throw anything at your monitor. Remember, he said the very same last season, too.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.