It’s not just the players and coaches who define a sport. Often, it’s the commentators who bring life to every play on the ice for fans at home. Think when the iconic Eddie Olczyk left the Blackhawks commentary booth after 15 years. It’s really not easy letting go of these familiar voices, who’ve been there for all the big moments. A fact that New York Rangers fans are going to have to come to terms with, with an extra, unpleasant twist.
Earlier this season, legendary broadcaster Sam Rosen announced that he will be retiring after the end of the 2024-25 season. Rosen, who has been with the Rangers for 40 years, will bid an emotional adieu to the sport soon. In honor of him, the Rangers announced a special ceremony during their game against the Vancouver Canucks later today. However, New York Rangers’ fans were in for a rude surprise as a last-minute broadcasting switch left them furious.
With the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament ongoing, the match between the Rangers and the Canucks will be streamed only on the NHL Network and not on ESPN+. As a result, fans who have subscriptions to ESPN+ and not the NHL Network will be unable to catch the game and will also miss Rosen’s special on-ice ceremony.
I can’t believe today’s game of all games is on NHL Network instead of ESPN+. Way to screw over the out of market fans who don’t have the two providers that carry that channel. Thanks for everything, Sam. I’m sorry I can’t watch. #NYR
— AdamNYR (@AdamNYR) March 22, 2025
Fans were furious and rightly so. But this isn’t the first time that the NHL has been in the middle of a broadcasting controversy this season. Earlier, there was a TV blackout and a halt in the broadcasting of Colorado Avalanche games on Comcast due to a contract dispute between the broadcaster and the distributor of Avalanche games. In the end, it was the fans who had to suffer and miss out on exciting action. Thus, the fans made their voices heard this time around as well and expressed their frustration in this matter.
New York Rangers fans are furious over the broadcasting switch-up
The news about ESPN not broadcasting the game was made known mere hours ahead of the game. Moreover, it was an important game for Rangers fans considering the emotional send-off that’s being prepared for Rosen. So, one of the fans expressed his frustration, saying, “I can’t believe today’s game of all games is on NHL Network instead of ESPN+. Way to screw over the out of market fans who don’t have the two providers that carry that channel. Thanks for everything, Sam. I’m sorry I can’t watch.” It’s a truly frustrating situation to not have access to the product you paid for and miss out on such an important game.
With the game not being streamed on ESPN+, another fan called out the NHL broadcasters, saying, “It’s pretty infuriating that Salute to Sam day is on NHL Network so I can’t even watch it.” The fan echoed his frustration like thousands of Rangers fans, who would miss out on precious action from today’s game.
Similarly, one of the fans explained why moving the game to only NHL Network was a bad idea. The comment read, “Its on the NHL Network. Sadly most of us can’t unless we take to the high seas.” Buying a separate subscription to the NHL Network for one game just didn’t make sense.
On the other hand, some fans were extremely furious with the last-minute decision to not broadcast the Rangers game on ESPN+. One of the fans reacted angrily, writing, “F**K THE NHL NETWORK ARGGGGH!!!” Frustration was a widespread emotion among the Rangers faithful today as they felt helpless at missing out on this special game.
Even as many lost the hope of watching the game, a fan expressed a last-ditch hope. They wrote, “If you’re out of market ESPN+ will sometimes carry the game even if it is a NHLN exclusive. Fingers crossed because otherwise I can’t watch it either.” It may seem unlikely, but it remains to be seen if the fan’s wish comes true. Who knows, maybe today will be the day where such a situation does occur.
With the Rangers placed in the fifth spot in the Metropolitan Division, the game against the Canucks becomes all the more important if they want to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, they would have to do that without much support from many of their fans, who have been robbed of the live-action today and of the tribute to Sam Rosen.
The post New Yorkers Left Fuming Over Rangers’ Decision for Sam Rosen Tribute Match appeared first on EssentiallySports.
