How long until Kerber/Vitale …

[HazeGray977]

….get distracted and forget there’s a hockey game being played?

[Aesa]

….get distracted and forget there’s a hockey game being played?

Two periods?

[ChooseBlues]

….get distracted and forget there’s a hockey game being played?

Two periods?

My guess is after Kerbs gets fired up about the third ad read.

[Russdv14]

I like them on the radio for when I am out of the house & can’t watch on the I phone. They get more criticism than they deserve. But I’m not arguing with any of you that don’t like them or think they ramble too much, I’ve been spoiled by the Kelly’s the majority of my hockey life so I understand the disappointment.

My worry is when Kerber takes a hiatus for something & they bring in a DEI hire substitute. Then I’ll be complaining with you all

[dhsux]

Pretty clear they are A) not reading this board or B) don't care what this board thinks because Vitale was babbling away his minutes of hockey talk on all kinds of other [nonsense] on 101 today. The 101 guys just egg him on as well.

The message from here anyway is not getting through.

If you are going to can John Kelley...at the very least do if for the right reasons and people.

[ChooseBlues]

John Kelly was the voice of the Blues on TV for decades. When the team moved to simulcast and let Kelly go, they didn’t just change personnel—they redefined the broadcast experience. Kerber and Vitale, longtime radio guys, were dropped into a format that demands a different skill set, a different rhythm, and a different kind of presence.

But here’s the thing: the TV audience didn’t go anywhere. They’re still here. They’re a captured audience—loyal, engaged, and expecting a product that matches the NHL stage. TV is the showpiece. It’s the big leagues. Radio, for all its charm, is the AHL equivalent in terms of reach and production expectations.

So when Kerbs misses calls, drifts off mid-play, or treats the broadcast like a casual chat, it’s not just a style mismatch—it’s a disconnect. Does he realize the weight of the role he’s stepped into? Does he understand that this isn’t just “his show” anymore? That the fans tuning in aren’t jaded insiders—they’re here for the game, not the banter?

We absolutely should express ourselves. We should expect more. Because this audience didn’t ask for a format change. We were handed one. And now we’re watching a broadcast that feels like it’s being made for the guys in the booth, not the fans at home.

Kerbs has the talent. He has the voice. But he needs to recognize the shift—and respect the audience that came with it.

This just happens to be one of the few corners of the internet where this topic actually fits. I don’t expect this thread—or any thread here, really—to move the needle. But I do expect fans to talk, vent, and share their thoughts, just like we do with any other part of the team that’s up for debate.

[STLinCHI]

Not that I listen to the radio broadcast very often but I was completely unaware there was action going on while they were talking about something else. The simulcast has exposed that and it definitely needs to be addressed. They'll have a producer on the TV side in their ear for the first time on tonight's broadcast. Give 'em some time to adjust.

[mph6689new]

Not that I listen to the radio broadcast very often but I was completely unaware there was action going on while they were talking about something else. The simulcast has exposed that and it definitely needs to be addressed. They'll have a producer on the TV side in their ear for the first time on tonight's broadcast. Give 'em some time to adjust.

I really hope they can modify compared to 2 preseason games I heard. Tonight will likely be rough. I’ll give it time to improve.

[BalotelliMassive]

This is fooookin trash!

[Galatians221jb1]

Vitale talks almost as much as Pang. When the puck is in play the color man should shut up and not bloviate about Schenn fighting on the day Plager died and Yada Yada yada. He’s preventing Kerber from doing play by play. I’m muting them now just as I did with Pang

[Hooking]

Kerbs can always go talk politics on his social media.

[Whatashame]

I actually thought they were better tonight, especially Kerbs, than they were during the preseason streams. There is an adjustment, for everyone, but I thought there was improvement tonight.

[ChooseBlues]

Joey was good on the replays. I would say that is his strength.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Joey was good on the replays. I would say that is his strength.

honestly they sounded like a very solid duo. I expected much worse as I have heard the tangents from Vitale. But Kirbs PbP was good and Joey was spot on the plays before the replay. He explained what was happening before it was clear which is a huge benefit for the layman fan. Those who watch hockey maybe don't need those explanations. But he was on top of 2 bad penalties before it was clear what happened.

Also, I just like they weren't being homers. For some reason that is a thing with me. You need to root the team on. Not bend the narrative.

[MiamiLaw]

Joey was good on the replays. I would say that is his strength.

honestly they sounded like a very solid duo. I expected much worse as I have heard the tangents from Vitale. But Kirbs PbP was good and Joey was spot on the plays before the replay. He explained what was happening before it was clear which is a huge benefit for the layman fan. Those who watch hockey maybe don't need those explanations. But he was on top of 2 bad penalties before it was clear what happened.

Also, I just like they weren't being homers. For some reason that is a thing with me. You need to root the team on. Not bend the narrative.

Yea in a game of pure [shirt], they were a bright spot actually. I was expecting much worse.

They aren’t top class JK and Pang but they weren’t any worse than JK and Rivers IMO. I really didn’t like Rivers as a color guy

[kimzey59]

Joey was good on the replays. I would say that is his strength.

honestly they sounded like a very solid duo. I expected much worse as I have heard the tangents from Vitale. But Kirbs PbP was good and Joey was spot on the plays before the replay. He explained what was happening before it was clear which is a huge benefit for the layman fan. Those who watch hockey maybe don't need those explanations. But he was on top of 2 bad penalties before it was clear what happened.

Also, I just like they weren't being homers. For some reason that is a thing with me. You need to root the team on. Not bend the narrative.

No supermarket stories
No clowns vs ponies debates
No cooking recipes
No vacation stories
No on-air domestic dispute therapy

It was a solid improvement from what I've heard from them in the past.
Definitely not JK and Panger level; but tolerable(at least until the game was well out of hand).