I don't generally comment on hockey, but I heartily enjoyed this story.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6289411
The New York Islanders revoked the privileges of writer Chris Botta for negative coverage of the team on his AOL Fanhouse blog.
Your team has made the playoffs four times since 1992-93 and hasn't gotten past the first round since 1992-93. You don't think you deserve a little criticism?
Rightfully so, beat writers for the Islanders, Devils, and Rangers are boycotting the voting this year for multiple awards. Way to stand up for what you believe in.
Yeah Garth Snow. Maybe your organization should try and actually have a winning season if you don't want to take excess criticism. The Rangers take that same criticism every day and they've made the playoffs four of the last five years (likely this will be the fifth time in six years).
It's New York for a reason.
It is really a shame what the Islanders have become. They went from not only being the toast of NY and country in terms of hockey in the 70's and 80's, they are still the last franchise (doubtful to ever be matched) to win 4 straight cups. However, ever since the mid 90's boomed it has been one bad decision after another. The Garth Snow era is most known for handing out the first of the now many post lock out long term front loaded deals to Rick Dipietro, an average goalie at best, who unlike the other guys who received those type of deals (Hossa, Zetterberg etc) has really not achieved much at all to warrant it. Honestly I almost feel to be in the market they are in, sharing that media coverage with an original 6 club, and a team not far away in NJ who has won 3 cups and made 4 finals since 95, it is completely amazing the Isles have not been hammered harder by the tough NY area media. It almost seems at this point no one even cares about this franchise and care so little to not even waste time covering them. There is even rumblings they may move, a 4 time champ moving cities would be crazy in any other sport. The Isles should feel lucky it has not been worse and regardless every one in sports or any public eye position HAS to be fully aware going in that if you make blunder after blunder and tarnish a great legacy built before you that someone will take notice and criticize, especially in the New York market!
ReplyDeleteThis isn't the first immature and confusing move made by the New York Islanders this year....http://thebuzz-saw.blogspot.com/2011/01/nabokov-saga-continues-claimed-mia.html.
When you think about it, this totally sounds like a move made by a player not a member of a pro sports teams upper brass. Garth Snow has always still come off as a player, not a member of the organization's leadership. A player might flip on the media but it is up to the team and the management to manage that situation maturely..not like a child.
I actually think Snow replaced the guy who gave DiPietro that long contract, but it doesn't really make a difference because Snow has been just as bad.
ReplyDeleteJohn Tavares is going to be a stud though. That much I will say.
You may be right but God damn that contract blows. Yes, unfortunate Chris Botta will apparently not be permitted to cover his soon to be studly career.
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