John Kelly Petition

[Topshelf]

This is out there in case anyone wants to sign it. https://chng.it/4bPKWBMMgD

[Old_Goat]

Maybe he also actually just wants to fully retire in peace. Treasure the memories and move on. And I'm reposting something I put on one of the other handful of related threads...then I'll move on.

JK is excellent...one of the best. His wife has been in a fight with cancer, that's public knowledge so I'm not invading privacy. Aside from being away so much to support her, the travel just seems to get harder as you get older. I'm only speculating, but I suspect that Kelly is not as upset about this as many of the fans are. I also believe that Blues Management and FanDuel would have had discussions with how he felt it could work with/for him and treated him with respect.
Having said all of that, the Announcer & Analysts are indeed a broadcast team. JK was good all of the time, but he was better when he had a really good color commentator in tandem...not his fault, it just throws the announcer off if the other guy is weak. The problem is the constant droning of the color commentators and their incessant need to comment on EVERYTHING. The Blues and the Cardinals both suffer from that.
One of the best in the business is Joe Micheletti. He's retired now too. But if you've ever heard him, not only here in the '90s, but recently on Rangers' or national broadcasts, he got even better. You may go 2-3 minutes without hearing a peep from him, while his partner does a great job announcing, focusing on the game and not superfluous [nonsense]. And then Joe with his great understanding of the game will point out a key aspect of play, often away from the puck to help the fan to get the full impact. And you never heard him drone on about what he did when he played. Yes I realize that he did not have a long or superlative NHL career, but neither did Pang. Pang's schtick is part of his personality and draw, so I'll give him a pass, but a lot of the other guys are just trying to relive the dream.
I have not heard enough of Vitale to know how good or bad he is. But I sure have heard a lot of people compliment Mike McKenna. I remember hearing him speak at an end of season banquet when McKenna was 15 years-old, and he captivated this adult with how he spoke and what he knew. And the obvious hometown connection exists with him as well.
But for me, I like good announcing, but I'm most concerned about what/who is on the ice!

[brianstlou2]

Almost 1,700 signatures. Please take a minute and sign. If nothing else, it shows our support to JK and what his family has meant to Blues hockey. I’ll never forget DK signature call in his crisp and excited, amped up voice. He shoots, he scooooores!!!

That’s one reason I got so into Blues hockey at a young age listening to his call.

JK not quite the same, but I still can hear his Dad’s voice every now and then when he makes a call.

Please share as well. It’s gonna take a lot of signatures so a long way to go.

[sdaltons]

I'll sign but I hope people are realistic about this. The Blues aren't just going to walk this decision back. The thing is done. If we are treating this as a thank you, thank you, thank you to JK, then I'm on board.

[leedog68]

I think he lands a national deal with TNT or someone. He is way better than most that they have and only doing one or two games a week would be easier on him and his wife. Maybe even reunited with Pang.

[BluesDom]

20 years is pretty awesome. Heck of a run. Good job JK. No reason to sign this. Move on. Times a changin.

In 1-2 years things may change again. Its a short term deal with Blues and Fan Duel.

May be more changes in a year or two. Hope for some stability.

[TheJackBurton]

I think he lands a national deal with TNT or someone. He is way better than most that they have and only doing one or two games a week would be easier on him and his wife. Maybe even reunited with Pang.

That would likely be for the best, if he doesn't retire, as that would also mean he wouldn't have to move which with a wife with cancer involves all sorts of complications. Finding a new doctor being the biggest amongst them.

[bluetunehead]

I have not heard enough of Vitale to know how good or bad he is. But I sure have heard a lot of people compliment Mike McKenna. I remember hearing him speak at an end of season banquet when McKenna was 15 years-old, and he captivated this adult with how he spoke and what he knew. And the obvious hometown connection exists with him as well.

I've been continually surprised that McKenna hasn't landed somewhere doing this. I thought he did a pretty decent job anytime I've seen him on a broadcast and he clearly has a great mind for the game.

[Harry S Deals]

JK did a great job hes a franchise legacy legend type but this doesnt move me that much its the product on the ice. I am not familiar with Fan Duel and the dynamics or the industry trends. Seems like Fan Duel was sketchy more or less from the outset

[BluesDom]

I have not heard enough of Vitale to know how good or bad he is. But I sure have heard a lot of people compliment Mike McKenna. I remember hearing him speak at an end of season banquet when McKenna was 15 years-old, and he captivated this adult with how he spoke and what he knew. And the obvious hometown connection exists with him as well.

I've been continually surprised that McKenna hasn't landed somewhere doing this. I thought he did a pretty decent job anytime I've seen him on a broadcast and he clearly has a great mind for the game.

I dont think thats what he wants to do full time. Could be wrong. Hes an investor or owner of Macadoodles liquor store in Dardene Prairie.
Joe Vitale is much more skilled and has done it longer imo.

[bluetunehead]

JK did a great job hes a franchise legacy legend type but this doesnt move me that much its the product on the ice. I am not familiar with Fan Duel and the dynamics or the industry trends. Seems like Fan Duel was sketchy more or less from the outset

FanDuel = Bally Sports. It's largely just a sponsorship change for the network. Diamond Sports was the company that bought Fox Sports from Disney and rebranded it as Bally. They ran into a bunch of financial trouble, went into bankruptcy, and when they came out of bankruptcy they rebranded themselves (to Main Street Sports) and their network (from Bally to FanDuel). But as it pertains to most of us... there is functionally no difference between Bally and FanDuel.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I am A JK fan and think he's one of the best in the business. He definitely deserved his flowers. That being said, it was going to be hard to hold back Vitale, and Kirbs is already really good. Those 2 bring a combo that the media team gets to use on instagram, live calls etc... There's just a more dynamic approach with those two. Will be interesting to see but I think this move is to get more out of the position. I just hope the dynamic of the whole crew holds up. You have your social media presence with Strick, Your League MVP HOF guy with Pronger, and Rivers is your radio connection. So now you have 3 pro hockey players around the org representing it's social media/game atmosphere situation. That's pretty dynamic.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Can someone clear up what Rivers role is on the broadcast? It says he is still apart of the broadcast and will go back to his LIVE role instead of analyst. Does that mean he's not on during the game and is on in-between periods and pre post with Pronger? That will be interesting if that happens. 2 legit hockey guys in between periods without a "host".

Or is he still going to be doing in game stuff just as the 3rd person with the Blues?

[BluesDom]

Rivers Federko Pronger in studio.
Vitale Kerber tv/radio.

Sounds like they will have a reporter also--I believe its rivers and gang in studio and Andy Strickland sound like he is the reporter for home and away games.
Thats not 100% --what I heard on the radio today.

[hockey jedi]

I would prefer John Kelly over everyone of these guys except for Chris Kerber.

[rezero]

Signed. He is a part of the Blues family.