Why can’t hockey writers be questioned?

Globe & Mail: William Houston of the Globe & Mail asks his readers should Hockey Night In Canada commentator Don Cherry be allowed to put down Jermain Franklin, a TSN reporter who asked a question of San Jose Sharks coach Ron Wilson and was ridiculed on Cherry’s Coach’s Corner for doing so.

Mr Houston speculates at TSN, the hockey people are upset with Cherry over his denouncing Franklin on Monday night and says can you imagine TSN’s Mike Milbury airing a clip of a muddled query by Hockey Night host Ron MacLean or one of dozens of leading questions by reporter Cassie Campbell, and then belittling MacLean or Campbell on the air?

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I really have nothing to write about Don Cherry, Ron MacLean or anyone else in terms of what happened in this instance. But I do have to ask why not put the print media under the spotlight and question their hockey viewpoint, what they are asking and why?

Bill Guerin jumped on a Newday writer earlier this year with the Ranger-hangover questions. It was more like the writer had Ranger hangover and after a few questions Guerin got tired of being asked. Any writer asking questions can create any theme they want to an article.

For all the talk of bloggers being fans the only difference seems to me (beyond some professional writers having their credentials) is the bloggers at least wear the teams colors in public.

Seems Newsday pays Steve Zipay to cover media, same for Richard Sandomir in the Times, Bob Raissman in the Daily News and Mr Mushnick over at the Post. Why not do articles questioning the hockey writers and their agenda with coverage and what teams they are die-hard fans of?

Over on the political channels they tell you going in when someone from a media outlet does an interview who they prefer or what party they have a vested interest in.

How come Newsday completely omits Greg Logan’s tenure as a Ranger beatwriter in his profile?

I think it would be great to hire someone to watch the writers work a lockeroom and see who they like vs who they do not like and then follow the coverage. I would love to see who Greg Logan wants to speak with after games and who he goes to for quotes vs who he avoids at all costs.

You could do that with all the local hockey writers. Larry Brooks and Jay Greenberg are visibly disgusted with Rick DiPietro after beating the Rangers and are seeing complaining before leaving the Isles lockeroom without a comment.

Watching Peter Botte and the latest Post part-time writer and who they go to would be more fun than the interviews themselves.

Mr Botta could probably write a book about those kinds of experiences.

You see trends in the reporting, some seem fair, others do not. Writers can make or break players or teams and the fans take everything written (including writer speculation vs actual quotes) as gospel.

If Mr Logan wants to speculate Rick DiPietro is hurt that’s fair enough
(turned out he was right) but when he’s covering games and sees him playing well after the all-star game but the other team simply is scoring on good setups and only goes to the numbers to make a statistical argument he should sit, it’s fair to ask is Mr Logan watching the games or was there an issue between him and the goaltender?

Anyone who thinks for a minute sportswriters do not rip players or create issues with players they do not get along with do not understand these writers want quotes, have deadlines and there are some players or teams they simply do not like.

Sports editors and publishers push these folks to stir things up as well to sell papers, a majority of this kind of coverage usually comes from that.

And sure you can bet some players want no part of some writers or any writer.

Of course Isles are not like other clubs where the writers compete with each other but still there is pressure to produce quotes and information.

In the Isles lockeroom the Newsday beatwriter can make or break you as what’s written usually is what’s quoted in the Canadian press and websites which gives fans their perception of a player. It’s why a Radek Martinek can only be under-rated if he’s playing well in league circles.

Alexei Yashin was someone who did not fill Alan Hahn’s quotebook so he was not protected by the former beatwriter. Mr Hahn flat out misreported Mark Parrish signed only a one year extension in August 2005 and speculated he only took a year because of Yashin.

Sounded nice at the time but the only problem was Parrish did not sign, he signed in September just before the club left for camp. Mr Hahn was so busy running down Yashin in print (who was just named captain) he did not even bother to correct himself.

Mr Botta later ripped Alan Hahn and questioned Newsday’s overall coverage back on April 7th 2006 here so it’s not something new that I’m introducing here.

Same thing with Mr Logan and Ted Nolan’s contract. Out of nowhere the coaches contract becomes this big issue because Mr Logan seemed to want to make it an issue. Ted Nolan said he did not have an agent but next thing we know game day coverage is not even written for articles about so-called rifts where the coach could be leaving or fired?

All Ted Nolan said was he has not met with the club about a contract extension, he was asked and gave an answer. What’s the man supposed to do, lie or not answer the question? I guess he did not repeat Garth Snow’s comments that management contracts are not for the public discussion.

To me that is simply poor journalism designed to stir things up and makes me question the writer. If Ted Nolan went to Mr Logan and said he feels he deserves a contract extension that’s another matter and fair game.

What I do not like about Mr Logan’s work most is he seemed to go out of his way to portray DiPietro as someone hurting his team by playing and created this entire issue about his games being cut back, despite playing as much as he did a year ago and facing close to two hundred less shots (something Mr Logan never wrote once) but not a single time did he write the other veterans were hurting the club by continuing to play while injured.

In fact he seemed to bend over backwards to protect the veterans in Newsday, but not Rick DiPietro. Even when Ted Nolan was blowing up at them the final days.

Doesn’t that work both ways?

It’s almost funny seeing Ted Nolan’s answer when pressed about how many games Rick DiPietro should play next year because it’s something he cannot answer for certain in advance nor should he even try. I guess that’s why he jokes about him playing eight one games instead of eighty two.

I got an e-mail asking why I’m critical of Mr Logan and some of the writers recently?

All I can tell you is what I told the person who wrote me, I do things based on the article for that day. One day I can be critical, the next I have written the writer has done a good job with a lot of information. It’s up to them and have credited Mr Logan for good work on a lot of occasions also. I defended Greg Logan for the headline writer making a mistake about Nolan threatening trades (which Mr Logan talked about) and I never criticize a writer for space given to them in a paper for coverage.

I see someone like Mr Fornabaio at the Ct Post and I honestly cannot recall one instance where he wrote something to stir something up. He covers the games, writes the comments and does his own speculation but I have never seen him write to create an issue.

That’s why I think his work is excellent. The hockey tells the story.

New York Islander Fan Central

Islander/Sound Tiger Notables

Ct Post Michael Fornabaio reports in his blog all 24 (24!) guys are still here and practicing.

Note-Mr Fornabaio has had several updates today who apparently is doing some live blogging for the deadline that is also Islander centric.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Someone can be called up but if something were that close with a game tonight you would think that player would be at Isles gameday skate which is usually optional.

Sound Tigers have no game tonight.

Updated 12:50pm
Newsday: Greg Logan reports in his blog Satan attended an Islanders team meeting this morning but left the Coliseum without taking part in the optional skate. Fedotenko went on the ice and seemed. Agent Allan Walsh, who represents both players, said it’s “highly unlikely” that Fedotenko will receive a deadline-day reprieve with a contract extension. Mike Comrie talks about his contract extension and why he only resigned for a year.

Updated 2:30pm
Newsday: Greg Logan’s blog has Ruslan Fedotenko’s comments with a half hour to go.

New York Islander Fan Central

Just finished up Hockey Night on LI

My thanks to Alex and Steve at Hockey Night on LI for having me on their program today. I had a lot of fun doing their show talking Islanders and both do such an outstanding job it was a pleasure to be a guest and the time went just too quick.

My thanks to the Tom Liodice and the folks in the chat room for their kind words as well. Hope I did a good job for everyone.

Michael Fornabaio of the Ct Post was also on and I am a big fan of his work so it was a great hockey afternoon for me and a lot of fun.

For those interested in listening to Alex and Steve’s program today with Sound Tigers beat writer Michael Fornabaio and myself feel free to visit here or just find the link to their show which is on New York Islander Fan Central.

Updated Sunday:
We missed this one on the telecast but Aaron Johnson would have to clear waivers, this was confirmed early in the season which I forgot on the show. Also we missed on Johnson being ready to play which is why Tambellini had to travel to Ottawa.

I listened to the show this morning, for someone who hates the sound of his own voice who was hesitant to listen to the replay for that reason I guess I did not come off half bad, Alex and Steve of course did a great job making me look good.

Thanks again Alex and Steve and keep up the great work.

New York Islander Fan Central

Islander News Articles 11/23:

Newsday: Greg Logan’s article was on the first line struggling and Friday’s game in Boston.

“I don’t think we played that well,” Comrie said after practice Thursday morning. “You have to compete every night, and Ted wants our line to be competitive every time we get on the ice … Our line struggled a little bit. We can’t lose focus because it was one game where we didn’t play as well as we should have. We’ve played pretty well as of late, and we’ve just got to get back to making plays and keeping things simple. We won’t worry about the score. We’ll worry about our work ethic.”

“Yeah, we took a little break,” captain Guerin said of the benching Thursday. “Our line was awful. We generated nothing, and we were on the ice for two goals. Everybody is subject to that. It’s going to happen to everybody at least once during the year. Ted doesn’t have to say anything. Actions speak louder than words.

Newsday: Greg Logan’s Thanksgiving day blog is a full update on what’s going on with Freddy Meyer.

“It was an interesting month to say the least,” Meyer said of his time away from the Islanders. “I’ve never experienced anything like that before, but I’ve come to learn it’s part of this business. I’m not the first guy to get bounced around to a few teams in a short period of time. You’ve just got to take it in stride.

“I got the phone call from my agent that I was heading back east. I spoke to Snowy while I was at the airport, and he said, ‘Welcome home.’ It’s been good.”

NYI Fan Central Comments:
About time Logan got a comment from Meyer. Not many players are placed on waivers, go to another conference, then the AHL, then are reclaimed and we do not even know where they practice.

Boston Herald: Rich Thompson previews Islanders-Boston home/home, reports Tim Thomas will be back in goal and defenseman Matt Hunwick from Providence was recalled.

Newsday: Neil Best has an article on the NHL network and how it relates to the Islanders, a local radio show on the club, and some games on Chinese radio that was posted here a while back. He also reported on Billy Jaffe becoming a father and told our fans who cannot find the games to go to nyoverflow.com.

InsideCollegeHockey.com: Jess Myers has an update on Kyle Okposo even though the Gophers as a team are struggling.

“I’m back,” Okposo said after last Saturday’s 4-2 Gopher loss to Alaska Anchorage. Okposo’s face displayed a shy smile that betrayed his dislike for talking about individual accomplishments after a team loss. “I think I’m starting to play well. I feel like I’ve got a pep in my step and I’m starting to play like the player of old.”

“We’ve got to start bumping guys, being more physical and just getting a little jam to our game,” Okposo said. “We’ve got to be making plays, making short passes, making the right plays at the right times. We do that a lot. We do that at many points in the game, but there are some points where we don’t do those things, and it comes back to haunt us.”

Washington Times: Corey Masisak on Thursday reported on the Capitals firing coach Glen Hanlon and replacing him with AHL coach Bruce Boudreau.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Considering how well they played with injuries to open the season it’s surprising the Caps struggled this badly with the improvements they made last summer to a hard working roster already. Semin being out was a problem but the hard working edge that was their trade mark the last few seasons seemed to be missing for far too long and this was a change I thought was a week away at best. Atlanta is back at five hundred and playing well even though I though the wrong person was fired.

Hanlon had a very long run in Washington, his teams did not win but worked very hard for him. I wonder how much blame Poti and Kozlov share in this. Personally I would have fired George McPhee because he brought in the players. Poti had a terrible turnover recently in a one goal loss.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio’s Friday article is on the Sound Tigers record when they fail to hit the three goal mark in games.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio had two blog updates, one on the Sound Tigers being in last (seventh place) but with many games in hand and only a few points out of second and how they have responded in the past when at the bottom of the standings.

It is frustrating,” centerman Ben Walter said. “Everyone’s working hard, playing hard, drawing penalties. We go out on the power play, and we’re not putting the puck in the net. “The guys who are counted on for scoring, myself included, have to get the job done.”

“We had a few of those,” Capuano said. The puck just wouldn’t go in, though the Sound Tigers generated chances with help from their young defensemen. Andrew MacDonald and Dustin Kohn — a late addition when Drew Fata went down with back spasms — joined the rush and protected their defensive end as well. “They did the job. They played well,” Capuano said. “Their gaps were good. They played really well.”

Hartford Wolf Pack at Bridgeport Sound Tigers
WHEN — Tonight, 7:30
WHERE — Arena at Harbor Yard
ON THE AIR — No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at http://www.soundtigers.com

NYI Fan Central Comments:
If I’m in Howard Saffin or Garth Snow’s spot here, I’m watching the Sound Tigers three games this weekened very close.

It’s time for this group to step up or some pressure should be on head coach Jack Capuano’s status. This team has not have major injuries, the top prospects have not been called up beyond Ben Walter and for the most part have played with a roster surplus that Greg Cronin, Dave Baseggio and Steve Stirling did not have as they played games shorthanded in the past at times. First place is basically over for the season considering the Phantom’s record.

This roster on paper should be much better than what it has shown to this point and they are not responding. It’s great Hershey’s goalie had to be their best player on Wednesday and sometimes a goalie does steal a game but the Sound Tigers have had a few very bad trends this season that seem to indicate a problem that speaks to the coaching.

New York Islander Fan Central

11/21: Bridgeport at Hershey 7pm

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio’s game day article is on Steve Regier tying Justin Mapletoft’s record for games played as a Sound Tiger.

“He has been one of our better forwards,” Capuano said. “His work ethic, his determination, his professionalism are better this year than they were last year.”

“It’s my fourth year. It’s time to put up or shut up,” Regier said. “I’m trying to bring more professionalism to my game, be a little bit mature about the job and the business of being a hockey player.”

Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Hershey Bears
WHEN — Tonight, 7pm
WHERE — Giant Center, Hershey, Pa.
ON THE AIR — No radio; Webcast and B2 Networks Internet pay-per-view at http://www.soundtigers.com

Kip Brennan is out with an injury.

Sound Tigers.com: Has a preview of tonight’s game.

New York Islander Fan Central

Islander News Articles 11/18:

Newsday: Greg Logan’s Sunday article is about the change in leadership since last season and what Bill Guerin brings to the locker room. He writes people from one end of the organization to the other credit the subtraction of Yashin and the addition of Guerin for creating a new sense of togetherness and purpose.

“He’s been great in our locker room,” said enforcer Chris Simon, who is close to Nolan and understands better than anyone what kind of leadership is required to play the coach’s style. “Billy’s play speaks for itself,” Simon said. “He plays in the hard areas. He’s not a perimeter player. When a guy plays the way he does and carries himself the way he does, everybody listens from young guys to older guys. That’s a real good thing.”

“The biggest thing to me was the chemistry and the camaraderie on the team, making sure everybody wanted to be there and wanted to be a part of the Islanders,” Guerin said Saturday. “I think we have that. We’ve got a great group of guys. We support each other, and we’re trying to make it like a family.

Asked what needed to change, Guerin answered quickly. “It’s just a feeling,” he said. “There’s more a sense of unity this year than there was last year. There’s not 17 guys on one page, two guys on one and one on another. Everybody’s on the same page.”

NYI Fan Central Comments:
No direct quote from anyone regarding Alexi Yashin which is unfair if Logan is going to make such a claim on a team with so many new faces.

No doubt Guerin is a huge positive in the locker room but Guerin himself said it’s what you do on the ice, the rest is just words.

Simon’s comments are interesting but Guerin has been almost entirely a perimeter player all season who’s offensive contribution has been one game Olaf Kolzig struggled where he took a lazy shot from long distance on a five on three that squeaked through. His only goal in front of the net was against Kevin Weekes in overtime on another players hard work. To this point Yashin’s season a year ago has been better on the ice than Guerin’s.

Alexei Yashin’s Islanders made four of the last five playoffs, only he knows how much he wanted to be captain or what he failed to do in the job behind the scenes but it’s fair to say Yashin did not have anyone like a Comrie, Guerin to work with either and he’s scapegoated for not be supported. He also has to be given credit for a good statistical year from Blake, Simon and especially Viktor Kozlov.

As Blake said himself when he signed in Toronto, Yashin was expected to perform miracles. Kozlov praised Yashin when he signed in Washington also.

Let’s not pull punches here either, Yashin was not good with the media and that’s not going to win him points with someone who’s on a deadline and needs material.

Guerin’s grade as captain comes down to the club’s record, not how players get along off the ice.

Newsday: Greg Logan also did a second feature on Josef Vasicek who leads the NHL in shooting percentage.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio’s blog has comments from Bates about his first game and the loss against Hershey.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio’s article in the paper.

New York Islander Fan Central

Islander News Articles 11/16:

Newsday: Greg Logan has player reaction on the 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh Thursday and complaints about the penalty disparity.

“These are four-point games,” forward Mike Sillinger said. “We don’t want to look back and say we played a good game, but we lost. We’ve got to find a way to win these one-goal games, and I think a big part of it is executing on the power play.”

“We made some mistakes,” DiPietro said of the turnovers. “I don’t think that was our best effort.”

“Sean Bergenheim bumps their goaltender and they [get a power play], and Crosby bumps ours [and gets no call],” coach Ted Nolan said. “I don’t know what the difference is. We’ve just got to live with it, but [eight penalties to four] is kind of lopsided.”

Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Dave Molinary has the Pens centric coverage.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Rob Rossi has reaction from the Pens on breaking their losing streak.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has a feature on Shawn Bates. Thursday he updated his blog with a practice report where Bates played left wing on a line here with Ben Walter and Steve Regier.

Everything feels good,” Bates said after Thursday’s practice at the Arena at Harbor Yard. “I’m feeling ready to go, ready to play a game.”

“It’s one thing to ride the bike. It’s one thing to do what Garrett (Timms, the Islanders’ trainer) has been doing with him,” Capuano said. “It’s another thing to play a hockey game. Conditioning is going to be a big thing for him.”

“For anybody who hasn’t played that long, it’ll be a little tough,” Capuano said. “His enthusiasm, his excitement, being ready to play, that’s going to off-balance some of that rust.”

Vancouver Province and countless articles: Report Brett Hull has been named to interim gm of the Dallas Stars. This article examines the trends which began with Garth Snow.

New York Islander Fan Central

Islander News Articles 11/15:

Erik Boland: Has an update on Bill Guerin for Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh who will wear a protective visor while Ted Nolan talks about the captain’s value to the club.

“Something fluky like this is tough because other than that you feel great,” Guerin said. “It’s not like a wrist or arm or a leg, or something like that where you know you can’t skate. Physically you feel fine, it’s just this fluke incident that you’re missing time for.”

“It could have been much worse.”

“Just his presence,” Nolan said. “His mannerisms, the way he talks to his teammates before the game, the way he gets ready on the bench, the respect factor he has. All the intangibles. He’s one of those guys you can get by without for a game or two but more than that, it’s tough. We’re glad he’s back.”

In terms of Lighthouse Project reaction in Newsday:
Chris Mascaro & Edin Laikin had positive and negative comments from residents and civic leaders with concerns and praise for the project. Peter KIng: Does on article on how Mr Wang decided on this concept when he visited NHL arena’s a few years ago.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review & Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Have the Pens coverage which centered around Kris Letang joining the club to give them the right handed shot they need from the point and struggling Marc Andre Fleury getting the start against the Islanders. DiPietro is quoted about the ten pounds he lost helping his legs as the season progresses. Former Penguin Richard Park had a few words about how dangerous Pittsburgh’s powerplay is. Former Sound Tiger Alain Nasreddine cleared waivers and was sent the to Pens AHL team in Scranton.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio notes Walter and Bates going to Bridgeport and why Bates can only stay with the Sound Tigers until around Thanksgiving. As usual he’s well ahead of the New York papers and has the Pens stories on LeTang and Nasreddine.

Ct Post: Listed the Sound Tigers individual player statistics.

New York Islander Fan Central

Ben Walter, Bates to Bridgeport & 10,000

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio updated his blog Wednesday and reports Ben Walter and Shawn Bates should be joining the Sound Tigers at practice Thursday. Bates will be with the club until around Thanksgiving on a conditioning stint.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
I guess this means Guerin returns to the lineup against Pittsburgh and a decision on
whether the Islanders dress seven defenders with Berard’s return or Jackman sits down. Still no word on where Freddy Meyer is going to play. It will be interesting to see what happenes with Bates when his conditioning stint ends.

Updated 7:30pm
Point Blank: Chris Botta updated his blog and confirmed Guerin went to Pittsburgh and his playing status will be determined after the morning skate along with Walter and Bates going to Bridgeport.

USHL.com: Finally released it’s fan Q & A with Islander prospect Blake Kessel today.

New England Hockey Journal: Matt Kalman has an update on Petteri Nokelainen now that he is healthy and getting an opportunity with the Bruins.

FastHockey: Announced Pat LaFontaine has joined its Strategic Advisory Board. This company claims to be the Web’s leading resource for amateur hockey content and player recruiting and lists several major NHL figures as part of this company including former Islanders Marty McInnis, Ray Ferraro, Scott LaChance, Ted Crowley.

Took a little look at the page counter today folks, 10,000 page views for New York Islander Fan Central, thanks so much for the great support.

I added a feature today asking for feedback about what you like about this site and put in a spot if you think the site needs more work. Anything specific please send an email with comments and suggestions as always.

New York Islander Fan Central

Ted Nolan state of the Islanders

Islanders website: Has an update from Ted Nolan on the state of the team where he praises players and updates the injury status of Berard and Guerin for the next game. He also makes comparisions to last year’s team. Richard Park is singled out by the coach for his efforts.

“Last year the players didn’t know me and I didn’t know the players,” said Ted. “We didn’t know each other. We probably started building that trust halfway through the year. We built upon that at the start of this year with the strong leadership of Sillinger, Witt, Park and all the guys from last year. With new guys we brought in this year, the adjustment has been much quicker.”

“We’re happy with where we are now,” said Nolan. “Guys are getting better and everyone is feeling more comfortable around with one another. We’re on the right track to where we want to be.”

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio updates his blog today on the Sound Tigers.

New York Islander Fan Central