There may be some disgruntled fans and a few empty seats, but the National Hockey League will be welcomed back by large audiences and improved advertising revenue.
That was the message yesterday from the CBC during a Hockey Night In Canada telephone conference call in which Jim Hughson was confirmed as the show's new western play-by-play voice.
"A lot of us found out [during the NHL lockout]what an absolutely important part of our culture in Canada the hockey rink is," Hughson said. "That didn't go away, and that's why the game at the NHL level could come back as strong or stronger."
Joel Darling, the executive producer of Hockey Night, said the league's rule changes and new system of putting together team rosters are already creating a buzz.
"There's just the curiosity factor, alone, about how the teams have changed and what they're going to look like," he said. "I think for this country, the hope is the TV numbers will rise, and I think they will."
Rene Bertrand, the CBC's executive director of media sales, said advertisers are certainly interested.
"We have over a dozen confirmed sponsors back, which suggests the demand right now is equal or stronger than it was for the last season," he said.
But there was a word of caution from Hockey Night host Ron MacLean. If the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks, the show's two big audience producers, aren't immediately competitive in the new world of the $39-million (U.S.) salary cap, look out, he said.
"If they go into the tank by January, that will be a challenge for all of us," MacLean said.
"But I think people love the game and they will have lots to be thrilled about."
Several Hockey Night changes were announced, but the biggest was the hiring of Vancouver-based Hughson to replace Chris Cuthbert as the announcer for the second game of the weekly doubleheader.
Hughson, who will work with commentator Greg Millen, said he was thrilled to get the job.
"I'm a Canadian and I'm a passionate hockey fan," he said. "So, I've watched Hockey Night in Canada forever and I understand what the institution is and what the history is. It's a wonderful opportunity to work on the biggest hockey television show in the world."
Hughson, 48, will continue to call Canucks regional games for Rogers Sportsnet. He said Sportsnet had no problems with his moonlighting on Saturday nights for the CBC.
"Sportsnet's reaction was outstanding and very comforting to me," he said. "They think my having a profile on Hockey Night in Canada only enhances what I do with Vancouver Canucks broadcasts on Sportsnet and it's helpful to them."
A new feature called Think Hockey will air during the Hockey Night pregame show and between games. The theme will be skill development, a subject long overdue as a balance to hockey analyst Don Cherry's rock 'em, sock 'em commentary. As well, a fantasy pool show is in development.
In terms of covering the games, Darling said he didn't anticipate any radical changes. The show will begin airing some games in high-definition television.
"We certainly think it's the future of the game," he said.
The league and networks are hoping to make more use of the rail cam, a moving camera that runs along the boards. The technology is expensive, but it conveys to the viewer the speed of the game.
Darling said increased access to players and coaches is a goal. Interviews at the bench before and during games would be helpful, as would entry to the dressing room with a camera before players leave for the ice.
The networks also would like more time after a goal is scored and before a power play begins to tell the story of what happened.
"We're hoping the obstructions that have been there in the past will go away," he said.
As for the obstructions on the ice, MacLean isn't convinced the league will be able to stamp them out. He suggested viewers brace themselves for one long parade to the penalty box.
"The obstruction crackdown is going to be glorious to watch," he said. "But, to a man, every player seems to be saying it's the route to go, so who am I to argue?"
But he thinks the shootout will be a hit.
"At the end of the day, the shootout will be the one thing that I think will be tailor-made for television," MacLean said. "That will give us a chance to get closer to the players. And that's been a problem with marketing the game because of visors and helmets."
Hockey Night in Canada will open the season on Saturday, Oct. 8, with three telecasts: Montreal at Toronto, Vancouver at Edmonton and Buffalo at Ottawa.
Darling ducked the question of Hughson's eventually replacing lead announcer Bob Cole, who is of retirement age.
The CBC has three years left in its TV deal with the NHL.
Hughson is looking forward to calling playoff hockey. Most of his TV work over more than 20 years has been limited to the regular season. "I've always had the main course and never got the dessert," he said.
The NHL's participation in the Turin Olympics next year will mean the playoffs will start late (April 21) and wrap up as late as June 19.