When you say the name Pierre McGuire among the presence of hockey fans, you usually get a lot of eye rolls or downright verbal attacks on the man.
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McGuire is known as the guy between the benches during NBC's and NBC Sports' coverage of NHL games. He has been criticized for his long-winded player profiles, his loud and assertive opinions about NHL rules, players, coaches, teams, etc., and for his often awkward deliveries and interactions with other broadcasters.
McGuire, for instance, has been outspokenly in favor of removing the red line from hockey. That has not won him a lot of favor.
Last year he was under fire for "mansplaining" hockey to one of the world's top woman hockey players, Kendal Coyne Schofield.
"Tampa's going to be on your left, Pittsburgh's going to be on your right ... we're paying you to be an analyst, not be a fan tonight," McGuire told her on live TV.
McGuire demoted
So here we are today: McGuire is being demoted from NBC's and NBC Sports' top NHL coverage team. You won't see him on the primetime games, according to reports published this week. You'll still see him popping up in NBC's coverage, but it seems like it will be a lot less.
Less Pierre McGuire seems to be what a lot of hockey fans have wanted for years.
Kronwall retires
Back here in Red Wings land, we await the start of Training Camp (Sept. 13-16). Niklas Kronwall's retirement from hockey has been the only real Red Wings news of the past week, but it's a big story for sure.
It's an end of an era on the Red Wings blue line. He was a very important part of the 2008-09 Cup finals runs and the team's success for a few years there before Nicklas Lidstrom retired. But perhaps the real story here is that Kronwall's departure saves the team money and opens up a spot.
It will help speed up the rebuild of the defense, which brings me to my next topic ...
Crazy trade rumor
Earlier this week NHLTradeRumors posted a note about a "massive" trade between the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres. The trade would send forward Anthony Mantha to the Sabres in exchange for defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.
I share my thoughts on this trade rumor here. Spoiler: I'm not in favor, but it's fun to play GM.
Riley Sheahan signs with Oilers
Former Red Wings forward Riley Sheahan is headed to Edmonton. Ken Holland signed him to a one-year deal. This is the fourth time Holland has signed Sheahan to play for his team.
Sheahan was a 1st-round pick by Detroit back in 2010. He never really became a 1st-round caliber talent, but he is known for stronger two-way play, and people seem to like him. He started this past season in Pittsburgh and ended up with the Panthers in Florida.
Edmonton is a huge project for Holland, and it doesn't help that Connor McDavid may not be back from his injury in time to start the season.
Contact Dave Bartkowiak Jr.: dbartkowiak@wdiv.com | @DaveBartko