This week, The Post’s Andrew Marchand spoke with ESPN’s NHL analyst, Darren Pang. The 40-year-old former goalie is in his 11th year at ESPN.
Q: What do you think of the NHL’s TV future?
A: I think the TV future is really sound right now. I think we will come to some kind of agreement between ESPN and possibly another partner and the National Hockey League. I think on both accounts the price will be right, especially from a network point of view. We have had an increase in ratings in the playoffs, which is always a positive. In years past, it has been tough to gather the type of ratings I’m sure everyone has been expecting.
Q: Who do you like to hoist the Stanley Cup?
A: As good as the stories are in San Jose and Calgary, I think the Philadelphia Flyers winning the Stanley Cup would be a great thing for the NHL. We know the feel-good story of the year has come from Tampa Bay and Martin St. Louis. But Philadelphia every single year gives it the most effort. Bobby Clarke, when there is an injury, he finds a player. He has been so criticized for his goaltending selections, yet they stick with Robert Esche. I think that would be the one team that I think really deserves to win it at this particular point.
Q: If I said you are in charge of the Garden today, what would you do with the Rangers?
A: I would overhaul the hockey operations department. I would put structure back in the team because there is not a team in the NHL that wins without structure. That means that what comes from the management to the coaches, that message has to be loud and clear to the players. One thing Ken Hitchcock has done so well in Philadelphia is everyone plays within his parameters and there are no exceptions.
Q: How hard is to believe that with the Rangers’ payroll they have not made the playoffs in seven seasons?
A: It is impossible to believe. Every year, I look at the roster and I say this is the year they are going to make a big push, and every year I get fooled, like so many other hockey people. So the effort of spending money is there, but putting the right characters and personalities together on the ice to make a team, not just a group of individuals, is why they have not made the playoffs.
Q: How good is Alexander Ovechkin, who will be No. 1 pick by the Caps next month?
A: Overall ability and charisma, from what I understand, he is a nine of 10. Even though he is from Russia, he apparently has already taken English lessons and he wants to be part of the fabric of the NHL, which is extremely important.