NESN hires Funayama

Eegghh... I don't know how I feel about this. I wasn't a huge Simpson fan at first but he kind of grew on me, especially after reading his blog, Bear Tracks. He definitely spoke his mind about all things hockey in it and earned my respect. I've never heard of Naoko, and I sincerely hope she knows her hockey like Simpson does - and it's not an attempt by NESN to make Bruins coverage 'easier on the eyes'. I know that's an incredibly sexist assumption to make - but it is TV after all. Here's hoping.

Well after doin some actual research and now out of my knee-jerk reaction mode - it looks like she knows her hockey, or has at least heard of it : ). Covers the NCAA Hockey playoffs, volunteering for youth hockey programs etc.

Never heard of her. You mean to tell me NESN couldnt find a hockey expert (Like a former Bruin) who can do a better job ?

Another PC correct move in my opinion.

Glad to hear she has a hockey background, she can't be any less knowledgeable than Tappen!

I wasn't a huge fan of Simpson but I would rather Edwards have got the boot any day of the week. The man is intolerable! I half wished they wouldn't re-sign Stuart so I wouldn't have to hear about his "CAVE MAN STRENGTH" 400 times this year.

Who cares about this? The important issue is - what has to happen for NESN to get rid of Jack Edwards? He is the worst annoucer in hockey.

I WANT ROB SIMPSON BACK!

Fluto - hubhockey.com gave you shout out today. They are right cause you are the man and thanks being loyal bruins reporter.

We seriously HAVE to continue the failed experiment that is Kathryn Tappen as Bruins studio host?

Perhaps NESN tried to get rid of Edwards but "couldn't stick a fork in it." *sigh*

I'd rather have Jack Edwards then that geek Dale Arnold

Totaly agree with John. Can they not get a former player? I have no problem with women in sports, Robin Roberts or Linda Cohn to name a few, but there are days when ESPN is unwatchable. I could care less what they look like just know something about sports.

Sometimes in life you get what you pay for.Anyone know what the pay is for the job????????

JD, I disagree. Arnold was easier on the ears

Would have to agree with jack E, Dale was alot easier to take. God do I miss Bob Wilson and Fred Cusick........

I thought it takes a Bruin to know the Bruins?

bostonblueline.blogspot.com

I am a Dale Arnold Hater. I think Jack is much more knowledgable about hockey, and more importantly, him and andy brickley are better friends. You could tell that towards the end of Dale's broadcasting career that Andy was starting to get annoyed with him.

They're all super-terrible. We are underserved, big time. But Brickley!? God, he's the worst This guy and his constant 'footbalization' of the game of hockey is maddening, not to mention his incessant huckstering and hawking of bad Bruins promotions and shameless Delaware North cheerleading .
If he isn't hectoring about "needing better tertiary coverage on the half-boards for the Pee-Kay' in that monotonous brogue of his, he's selling a HotDog Eating Contest with former Bruin Greats, Nevin Markwart and Jeff Lazaro. I have to press 'Mute'. Watching the Bruins, alone, in total silence, Now that'll make you question your devotion a little bit.

Dale was very good on hockey, I just don't think he's as good with the Red Sox games...he talks too much...less is more Dale, ok? One man's opinion anyway. I do miss your Bruins telecasts but I kjnow that was not your choice. Tappan is awful, to say the least...pretty isnt the way to go....knowledgeable and personality with your co-hosts would help.......I thought I was watching one man short of Three Men and a Baby......sheesh!!

Bring Eric Frede back.....c'mon, he's excellent!!!

I second the notion by Craig on Fluto...thanks for your coverage!! Especially of the team here in Providence.

Dale Arnold had no shot in my mind after Fred and Derek. To replace Fred Cusick was impossible, and in many peoples mind, he was the exact opposite of Fred which gave him no shot. It will be the same when the QB that replaces Brady when he retires...he will have no shot because we got used to seeing the best.

Turk, I like to press mute and then listen to the radio, but the problem with that is the radio broadcast is ahead of the tv by a few seconds, so that's maddening. if you have satelite radio, its a little closer to the tv...
but in general i like the guys on the radio so much more. they dont hold back and they tell it like it is. there's no butt kissing the b's brass or underperforming vets. and they know hockey, unlike the guys on tv half the time.

Naoko has covered a lot of hockey in Manchester with the Monarchs, UNH and the local colleges. She has also played hockey with the Lady Monarchs womens team.

I heard Kathryn Tappen will soon be married to Jay Leach! He will be playing in Lowell this year along with Scott Clemenson.

Dale was a company man who said and I quote "I am a Dave Lewis guy." He said that he was a big fan of Alexei Zhamnov when we first picked him up as well. Dale was a company man who was too afraid to say it like it is. Thank God he is no longer calling the B's games. As for Jack Edwards, tolerable is probably the best way to describe him. Brick does an outstanding job though.

Don Cherry and Mike Milbury???????

Turk, I like to press mute and then listen to the radio, but the problem with that is the radio broadcast is ahead of the tv by a few seconds, so that's maddening. if you have satelite radio, its a little closer to the tv...
but in general i like the guys on the radio so much more. they dont hold back and they tell it like it is. there's no butt kissing the b's brass or underperforming vets. and they know hockey, unlike the guys on tv half the time.

I dunno, I really liked Dale Arnold, and obviously nobody beats Fred Cusick. The thing is, I want an announcer that sounds genuinely excited when the Bruins score a goal. Edwards has gotten better as the last 2 seasons have gone on... but I miss the, "shot, SCORE!" of Arnold and Cusick.

Brickley is one of the best in the business. His hockey IQ is off the charts. I think he tries hard to work with Edwards' ridiculousness for the sake of the product. Whenever Edwards flies off the handle with something outlandish,
Brick is measured and appropriate.

"Lucic, over...under, over...under, over and under!"

Terrible!!! But different strokes different folks......Being a huge Boston fan here in Nova Scotia............I can't stand listening to Edwards...Simpson was excellent and knew his hockey..Simpson is moving on to bigger and better things....Where I might add Milbury flew the coup to Hockey Night in Canada... To put things into rectrospect.....There's really nobody that interested in doing that job with NESN....probably cause they don't pay!!! Anyways.life is life....Good luck to the lady taking over for Simmer!!! I wish her well and perhaps she''ll move up the ladder to where Hazel was??? Cheers.......L:et's go Bruins!!

Good luck to Simmer!! Since he was the only one that knew anything about hockey other than Brick!!

I like watching good up and down hockey.I could care less about having a classroom xs and os hockey lecture during it.Bring in some entertainment like Hockeynight in Canada was able to do with Don Cherry and Milbury.

your all anti-analist rob,andy are great 4 hockey,rob was cool in rubber bisciut im gonna miss it,andy gets excited on all bruins play,andy is a genius,kathryn knows hockey more than u think.