SCOTT JACOBS

Barry Melrose is the face of ESPN’s hockey coverage. Scratch that. He’s the voice, heartbeat and preventer from the sport becoming completely invisible on the Worldwide Leader in New York sports coverage. And now, with all that, he’s on the verge of leaving his cozy studio gig for the lousy Tampa Bay Lightning.

Whether you care about the Bolts or not has little relevence to the potential significance of this story. The question is not whether Melrose is the right fit for Tampa or whether the Lighning will make the playoffs next year. No, the question now, is, “Is this it?”

Think about it. Hockey’s lame coverage on ESPN has been salvaged by a scruffy beard Melrose for about three years now. Actually, since ESPN threw hockey out the door and all of their analysts post-lockout, the only hockey voice on the channel has been Melrose. Marines Hockey Night was Melrose’s place.

Stupid question, but does ESPN even employ another knoledgeable hockey man? No, the crazy suit wearing guy, Don Cherry from National Hockey Night in Canada doesn’t count.

With Melrose leaving does that signal the end of hockey coverage altogether on ESPN? He was the last remaining link to hockey’s ESPN heydays, when the most beautiful tune on TV was that National Hockey night song. But now? Well, he’s off to sunny Florida.

Does ESPN replace him with another hockey guy, say someone from Versus or NBC or even Canada? Or does ESPN throw in the towel, and tell Steve Levy, don’t worry about it, we no longer care?

It’s weird to think this could be hockey’s final straw on ESPN, but I think there’s a 50-50 possibility. Remember, ESPN has no hockey show, doesn’t even show more then 4-5 highlights during the regular season on a daily basis, and doesn’t even spotlight the sports except a couple days a week.

With Melrose gone, does hockey on ESPN go with it?

I can’t fathom ESPN completely doing away with the sport, but that’s the road they’ve been inevitably traveling ever since that ratings nightmare on ABC between Calgary and Tampa Bay.

And now, the Lightning are striking again.

Which begs the question. When this is all said and done, when Melrose signs the dotted line with the Bolts, does it mean Tampa Bay is to blame for the sports fall from grace? Consider, Tampa Bay was a nightmare team to have in the Finals, and now they’re taking away the last guy who covers the sport.

I’ve never been more curious as to what ESPN chooses to do next.

ESPN, your move Bristol.