Rumor: Rob Ray Retiring?

[Pimlach]

I’m sure Terry will spare no expense to make Sabres television coverage the envy of the NHL.  

[Mango]

7 hours ago, Pimlach said:

If this is true and Rayzor confided in John Scott, who then decided to leak the information, I will be surprised.  

I like Rayzor for the humor and the on ice stuff, Marty is a far better analyst.  

 

Hard to say who I would hire without hearing them on the air and understanding their approach to the job.  

Right. That's why Rayzor is basically the sideline reporter and Marty is in the booth.

My vote is for Pat LaFontaine.

Or get Biz/Whitney and let those guys go to town on this franchise live. They're tools,for sure, but Pegula deserves the smoke so let's just bring it to him.

[Mango]

2 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

I don't mind Rob Ray all that much, but if he is retiring, I'd look forward to someone new.  Just something new, ANYTHING new to keep my interest for a few games.

In true Pegula fashion the new hire will likely be much worse. Like historically bad. Maybe even the very worst on ice reporter of all time. It's literally possible because that's literally the state of the franchise since the day he bought the team.

But if this was a different franchise/owner I would likely agree with you 

[inkman]

I’d be bummed to see him go. I know he ain’t perfect but he’s our idiot, and love him more for it. 

[pastajoe]

Giant goalie kid Owen Parker.

[Carmel Corn]

10 hours ago, JoeSchmoe said:

I really like Marty but there's a such thing as too much Marty, and colour commentating would be well over that line. 

Very knowledgeable BUT………his voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.  Dan is bad enough as a play-by-play guy and adding Marty for color may push me over the ledge.

[JohnC]

9 hours ago, inkman said:

I’d be bummed to see him go. I know he ain’t perfect but he’s our idiot, and love him more for it. 

He does grow on you. What I like about him is that he doesn't overdo the analysis and try to complicate things that are simple. What he emphasizes are the basics, such as winning battles, net presence in both ends and covering your man in the defensive zone. 

I like Marty B. a lot and without question he is the better hockey analyst. But what he can't do better than Razor is be brief in the short intervals when he is supposed to inject his response. I hope Ray continues on doing what he is doing. 

[bob_sauve28]

It would be a damn shame if he let the door hit him in the ares, but there is no way he is leaving. 

That barnacle is stuck to this ship until the end 

[Wyldnwoody44]

Daniel Alfredsson may be available, let's also bring in Brett Hull, and Kasparitus 

[Standing Room Smoking Cigs]

I like Ray, he has subtle humor and understands the game and relates it to the common folk. I think Bob Boughner would be an acceptable replacement 

[SHAAAUGHT!!!]

I don't care who it is that replaces him, but I'd like to see someone:

1) that can break down plays and talk strategy and reasoning for decisions during the game, both game play and coaching

2) that focuses on what is happening on the ice and not the buddy banter (I'm so sick of the "these guys seem like great friends and fun to have a beer with" type banter that distracts from the gameplay)

3) can speak clearly (sorry Rayzor)

4) doesn't have to feign excitement for the job and wants to get better and better

[shrader]

7 minutes ago, SHAAAUGHT!!! said:

I don't care who it is that replaces him, but I'd like to see someone:

1) that can break down plays and talk strategy and reasoning for decisions during the game, both game play and coaching

2) that focuses on what is happening on the ice and not the buddy banter (I'm so sick of the "these guys seem like great friends and fun to have a beer with" type banter that distracts from the gameplay)

3) can speak clearly (sorry Rayzor)

4) doesn't have to feign excitement for the job and wants to get better and better

He’s been coach in the NHL for 10 consecutive years now. Boughner’s busy. 

Edited 9 hours ago by shrader

[WhenWillItEnd66]

I am hoping this is not true. Have grown to love Rayzor as he is still my link to RJ.

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, WhenWillItEnd66 said:

I am hoping this is not true. Have grown to love Rayzor as he is still my link to RJ.

Yes, Rayzor's link to RJ would be missed. 

I often watch the Sabre games using the opponents broadcast, and it is amazing how often the other teams announcers comment on Ray and enjoy some humor with him.    

Ray is a throwback to when the Sabres were a real team and when the played in front of packed and passionate crowds.  

Those days are long gone.   It is sad how many hockey seasons have been wasted in the irrelevance.  

Edited 7 hours ago by Pimlach

[PASabreFan]

 

[Ross Rhea]

Former Sabre Jaroslav Halak

[JoeSchmoe]

Between all the Ray bashing in the game day threads, it's refreshing to see in this thread how many people still like him for the same reasons I like him. Yeah he doesn't speak the King's English and he's no Roger Neilson on the video analysis, but he's entertaining!

I've said it many times- I've been around the game (watching, playing, coaching, parenting) since I was a kid. I don't need somebody breaking down plays for me. I just want to be entertained between the whistles.

Now if only he and Dan would STFU and call the game while it's being played. As I'm forced to listen on the radio in the car a lot... this is so irritating.

[Mustache of God]

18 hours ago, Pimlach said:

I’m sure Terry will spare no expense to make Sabres television coverage the envy of the NHL.  

He's been investing heavily to clone Dan Dunleavy. Dan provides the call and then sends it over to Dan for color who sends it back to Dan to not say anything when a goal is scored.

[dudacek]

I think Ray is a mediocre analyst but I love him as a colour guy, and there has never been a better Buffalo Sabre.

I'll miss him.

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, JoeSchmoe said:

 

Now if only he and Dan would STFU and call the game while it's being played. As I'm forced to listen on the radio in the car a lot... this is so irritating.

That isn't Dunleavy's fault. He's waiting for Ray to finish his stories about what he and Paul Hamilton had for lunch.

[That Aud Smell]

Rayzor is heart and soul. Heart and soul.

If he's stepping away, I will miss him.

[JoeSchmoe]

7 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

That isn't Dunleavy's fault. He's waiting for Ray to finish his stories about what he and Paul Hamilton had for lunch.

It's both of them. But my inkling is that Dunleavy does it more.

[PerreaultForever]

Biron in for Ray. He's already shown he can be really good at that when he filled in before. 

Then create a larger panel for the intermissions with a little dissent and argument even. 

It's past time to step up everything and call this team out when they suck, not just praise them. You can still be home biased, but also more real. 

[PromoTheRobot]

19 minutes ago, JoeSchmoe said:

It's both of them. But my inkling is that Dunleavy does it more.

Disagree. Dunleavy's waiting for Ray to stop talking most of the time. 

The real answer is to have separate radio play by play. Hamilton is quite capable. But WGR won't spend the money. Audacy wants to cut spending.

[Taro T]

33 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

Biron in for Ray. He's already shown he can be really good at that when he filled in before. 

Then create a larger panel for the intermissions with a little dissent and argument even. 

It's past time to step up everything and call this team out when they suck, not just praise them. You can still be home biased, but also more real. 

Really doubt Biron wants that job.  In his current gig he only has to travel 3 or 4 times per year.  Take on Ray's current job and he's on the road for a couple of months aggregate.

Are his kids old enough that he doesn't mind being away from family that long?