Nightfall 871 Report post Posted June 24, 2013 The Stanley Cup will be in the building tonight in Boston, with the Chicago Blackhawks one win away from claiming the championship. And that means it’s time to get excited about one of the highlights of the NHL season: Watching commissioner Gary Bettman struggle through presenting the Cup. In the years since Bettman’s debut as the Stanley Cup presenter, the ceremony has evolved into one of the most awkward traditions in all of sports. Bettman fidgets, the crowd boos, the posed photo takes way too long, and the winning captain fakes a smile while he waits for Bettman to just let go of the Cup and hit the bricks. http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/66432/20-years-of-awkwardness-a-celebration-of-gary-bettman-stanley-cup-presentations I thought this article was really good. I love the analysis. I thought the most awkward was indeed correct. I love how Rod just grabs the cup and lifts it over his head with no photo op. 2 P. Marlowe and derblaueClaus reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
derblaueClaus 1,668 Report post Posted June 24, 2013 Damn it i just wanted to post it ihere. But you're forgiven since you have a good taste and Sean McIndoe aka "Down goes Brown" is pretty funny. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Johnz96 Report post Posted June 24, 2013 I hope he gets the loudest chorus of boos yet and that someone throws a beer at him or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted June 24, 2013 I always loved the idea of having a former legend from each of the two opponents handing out the cup. If I were the captain I wouldn't even wait just take the cup and celebrate with the my organization and fans. 1 Nev reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightfall 871 Report post Posted June 24, 2013 I don't find it surprising at all that the loudest boos are related to if the away team wins the cup. The fans are already upset. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted June 24, 2013 Well I thought, New Jersey, the Wings and obviously Vancouver did extremely well. Chicago and Boston will have to try hard in order top it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AtomicPunk 296 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 Boston did not boo him nearly lustily enough considering what we've been thru this season. I was really counting on them! FAIL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeGraa55 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 Boston did not boo him nearly lustily enough considering what we've been thru this season. I was really counting on them! FAIL. O yes because it is 100% his fault. Let's not forget he REPRESENTS the owners. He does as they say. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 O yes because it is 100% his fault. Let's not forget he REPRESENTS the owners. He does as they say. Who locked t he players and the fans out for the third time in a row? This is the same guy, who had no problem moving franchises from Canada and relocate them to absolute joking markets but yet refuses and fights tooth and nails to relocate the stolen teams back. This midget is also the guy, who basically assembled the "BOG" a bunch of yaysayers and piss poor crybabies such as Jacobs, Wirtz are part of that group. I'd love for Dolan, Illitch, Snider and Pegula to come out and stop revenue sharing till we have a real hockeyguy as commissioner. I think the perfect human would do an unbelievable job, heck even Burke would be better than him... That said I was very very very disappointed with the effortless boos, Vancouver did an awesome job with that. Boston was even more lame than the Kings which is adl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Din758 371 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 sad to watch some of those videos and hear how good the calls were compared to now. Gary Thorne was a boss. 1 esteef reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
derblaueClaus 1,668 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 (edited) Down Goes Brown @DownGoesBrown Initial thoughts: 8/10 crowd, 3/10 handoff, 3/10 awkwardness. That was a solid performance by Bettman. Not a top ten presentation. Edited June 25, 2013 by derblaueClaus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 It's a shame that he insists on ruining what should be a great moment by continuing to present the trophy. 2 Nev and frankgrimes reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RedWingsDad Report post Posted June 25, 2013 It's a shame that he insists on ruining what should be a great moment by continuing to present the trophy. I agree with this. The moment is about the players and the club that won... not Bettman. I simply do not understand the rationale. They should have a guest present it every year... like a former player or something. That would add even more magic to the moment instead of detracting from it. 1 Din758 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,485 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 who wants to get the cup from bettman? really? Some weasily little troll that 90% of the players and fans hate feels it his time honoured duty to hand off the cup... he never even knew what hockey was before coming to the nhl... anyone have the video, I could only find him handing off the conne smythe (awarded to the most childish player) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StormJH1 231 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 You have to keep in mind that while I'm sure your average Boston fan doesn't like Gary Bettman, they do love their team, and the owner of their team (Jacobs) was the biggest Bettman apologist out of all of the owners. A lot of fanbases, you would think, would have a much clearer disdain for Bettman and what he's done to the league. And yet, it's hard to even articulate exactly how he's been so bad, because the product, for the most part, continues to be excellent. It makes me smile a bit to see Bettman get that reaction, but it also makes me sad. You could argue that even though we're at temporary labor peace in the four sports right now, player dislike for the leagues/management is bad across the board. Much the same way opponent Bruins fans stick around to watch the other team hoist the Cup (out of appreciation for the spectacle and the tradition of the game), you wish we also had that pride in the people entrusted for running the league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 I agree with this. The moment is about the players and the club that won... not Bettman. I simply do not understand the rationale. They should have a guest present it every year... like a former player or something. That would add even more magic to the moment instead of detracting from it. That's a good idea. Like have someone from the HHOF hand it out each year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,755 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 Who presents the trophies in every other major sport? I seriously don't know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 Who presents the trophies in every other major sport? I seriously don't know. The commissioner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted June 25, 2013 The commissioner. Is that something like an unwritten rule? Personally I think it is just stupid. Leagues shouldn't even need a commissioner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ally 448 Report post Posted June 26, 2013 (edited) I would like to see a past player present it. BUT I do feel a small sense of comradery with the fans in the arena knowing we all bond over our hatred of the troll. Edited June 26, 2013 by Ally 1 frankgrimes reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Axe Report post Posted June 26, 2013 Bettman is good for hockey, but I still dont like him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMAC 25 18 Report post Posted June 26, 2013 this has probably been mentioned before but what about the idea of having the previous champions captain presenting the cup. im a huge golfer and thats what they do for the masters green jacket, neat idea and i think it would work. anything to get bettman off of national tv Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted June 26, 2013 Owners shouldn't be allowed to present the Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,485 Report post Posted June 26, 2013 this has probably been mentioned before but what about the idea of having the previous champions captain presenting the cup. im a huge golfer and thats what they do for the masters green jacket, neat idea and i think it would work. anything to get bettman off of national tv Would you have wanted to watch Lids hand over the cup to crosby? Although it would have been extremely funny to watch crosby trying to hand it to lids in 08 while crying and then skate away with it like a spoiled brat lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BottleOfSmoke 5,965 Report post Posted June 26, 2013 Would you have wanted to watch Lids hand over the cup to crosby? I just threw up all over my desk. I like the HHOF idea, a different HOFer presents each year. Maybe someone from that previous year's inducted class? I worry about the old timers dropping the cup Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
