Theres an 80% chance the sabres dont win the lottery, the idea of tanking for one specific player is pretty stupid imo.
- Bigzby

It's not tanking for one. If they finish last overall, it means that even if they lose the lottery, they worst they can draft is second, so they still get Eichel.

Whereas if you finish second last, and someone lower wins the lottery, you lose both Mcdavid and Eichel

At what point did Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf became victims exactly?

Because all you guys do since december is say how they suck and they should be traded. And now that the media are on their backs, you guys turn around and defend them no matter what?

I have to say, this is hilarious.
- Pecafan Fan

It is rather ridiculous. The media feeds the vitriol of the fans, who then turn on the media for the opinions they expressed themselves.

Chicago is pretty rich these days...I mean A List Movie Star Vince Vaughn is in attendance!
- AdamFrench

good one.

It is rather ridiculous. The media feeds the vitriol of the fans, who then turn on the media for the opinions they expressed themselves.
- BINGO!

Hypocrisy at its finest.

I personally like the argument from Cox. "If you think we are bad, you should see social media!" That's great.... because why should "professionals" in the mainstream media have to be held to higher standards.
- markmark

Exactly. They are the ultimate hypocrites. They gave up their ability to be "fans" when they entered the profession.

At what point did Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf became victims exactly?

Because all you guys do since december is say how they suck and they should be traded. And now that the media are on their backs, you guys turn around and defend them no matter what?

I have to say, this is hilarious.
- Pecafan Fan

Players should be criticized to the hilt for their play, the video evidence is plain and simple to see with the Leafs, those who are whining about the media being hard on them should get a media pass and go interview the players and be the media themselves. The media is a conduit to the fans, we don't have access to the dressing room.

Hypocrisy at its finest.
- Pecafan Fan

*waits for the "NOBODY WAS SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT!" comments*

It's not tanking for one. If they finish last overall, it means that even if they lose the lottery, they worst they can draft is second, so they still get Eichel.

Whereas if you finish second last, and someone lower wins the lottery, you lose both Mcdavid and Eichel
- ILoveLamp

Yeah this is a very calculated tank by Tim Murray
they get the best chance at the next Crosby and if they dont, they get a Tavares or someone like him.

At what point did Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf became victims exactly?

Because all you guys do since december is say how they suck and they should be traded. And now that the media are on their backs, you guys turn around and defend them no matter what?

I have to say, this is hilarious.
- Pecafan Fan

I don' think anyone is defending Kessel or Phaneuf from the media. I think people are pointing out that the media are acting like a scorned lover and it's a joke. The problem is that they would rather report on Kessels attitude than his play because there isn't much to talk about right now and controversy sells.

It is rather ridiculous. The media feeds the vitriol of the fans, who then turn on the media for the opinions they expressed themselves.
- BINGO!

i think some people are just getting fed up.

i dont blame dion or phil individually.

they signed the contract offered to them for the game they play.

sure id like dion to hit the net more or phil to drive the net more.

but there is still others on the ice every time they are on it; i blame everyone.

mostly the horrible management over the last 20 years is at fault for putting together such a crap product on the ice.

At what point did Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf became victims exactly?

Because all you guys do since december is say how they suck and they should be traded. And now that the media are on their backs, you guys turn around and defend them no matter what?

I have to say, this is hilarious.
- Pecafan Fan

They are not victims, but the moment the poop about Lupul/Cuthbert hit a TSN screen they became sympathetic. It is a perfect encapsulation of the current state of the Toronto media - shoot first, ask questions second.

They think they are responsble for organizational changes - it has gone beyond simply reporting on the team. What other market gave a former coach the platform to blast the team on a national broadcast? How was that objective? What purpose did it serve other than to artifically create content and fill time on the broadcast and fill a couple web pages of story/comments?

Kessel is a "victim" (your word) the second the media criticizes for not talking, then when they don't like what he says jumping on what he said.

I think the next time a thief is accused of shop-lifting they should have a panel of shop-lifters and stick-up men decide on their fate. Obviously the Toronto media feels they can self-regulate - I think as citizens we should push for this in other areas too...what could go wrong?
- Deeps27

I think you, as citizens, should stop whining and deflecting on the media and do something about it. Stop watching games on TV...cancel your sports channels. Now. That's how you vote in the marketplace. Stop reading the media...including this blog. All of it. Don't give anyone the page hits. Go for a walk or build something. You can complain all you want, but if the public still subscribes or clicks, the media assumes they're giving them what they want.

That's how you affect change in the marketplace and create an environment where people only ever say good things about Dion Phaneuf - like it is in this forum. Are you prepared to do that? Quit whining then.

I think you, as citizens, should stop whining and deflecting on the media and do something about it. Stop watching games on TV...cancel your sports channels. Now. That's how you vote in the marketplace. Stop reading the media...including this blog. All of it. Don't give anyone the page hits. Go for a walk or build something. You can complain all you want, but if the public still subscribes or clicks, the media assumes they're giving them what they want.

That's how you affect change in the marketplace and create an environment where people only ever say good things about Dion Phaneuf - like it is in this forum. Are you prepared to do that? Quit whining then.
- SmileandWave

not trying to be rude.

but good luck with that; it will never happen, ever.

I think you, as citizens, should stop whining and deflecting on the media and do something about it. Stop watching games on TV...cancel your sports channels. Now. That's how you vote in the marketplace. Stop reading the media...including this blog. All of it. Don't give anyone the page hits. Go for a walk or build something. You can complain all you want, but if the public still subscribes or clicks, the media assumes they're giving them what they want.

That's how you affect change in the marketplace and create an environment where people only ever say good things about Dion Phaneuf - like it is in this forum. Are you prepared to do that? Quit whining then.
- SmileandWave

Hey, Mike in Buggalo needs to eat.

One other thing, I think some here confuse what a reporter and a analyst does.

I like listening to what Ward, Kypreos, Ferraro and O'Neill have to say, they know damn well what it is like in a dressing room and what goes on during games, they lived it. They have insight and just because they speak their minds, people get all pissy.

Hey, Mike in Buggalo needs to eat.
- AdamFrench

Iss march rankings out. Crouse up to 3

Kylington down to 24

Crouse will come protect Kessel and Dion.

One other thing, I think some here confuse what a reporter and a analyst does.

I like listening to what Ward, Kypreos, Ferraro and O'Neill have to say, they know damn well what it is like in a dressing room and what goes on during games, they lived it. They have insight and just because they speak their minds, people get all pissy.
- LeafMan

well... with kypreos.. i am not so sure he even remembers yesterday

well... with kypreos.. i am not so sure he even remembers yesterday
- Dozzer

mind read!

not trying to be rude.

but good luck with that; it will never happen, ever.
- Lucas Neilson

No offense taken, you basically summed up my whole point. On and on it goes.

One other thing, I think some here confuse what a reporter and a analyst does.

I like listening to what Ward, Kypreos, Ferraro and O'Neill have to say, they know damn well what it is like in a dressing room and what goes on during games, they lived it. They have insight and just because they speak their minds, people get all pissy.
- LeafMan

Ward and Ferraro can be pretty great. The other two..... ehhhhhhhhh

wins games, ruins draft pick.... fantastic we moved from 4th to 6th in 1 (frank)ing game...

At what point did Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf became victims exactly?

Because all you guys do since december is say how they suck and they should be traded. And now that the media are on their backs, you guys turn around and defend them no matter what?

I have to say, this is hilarious.
- Pecafan Fan

They're not victims but I am sympathetic to their frustration. These players make a crap load of money and get to be heroes when they do well. With that comes the reality that they will be criticized for their play when they do badly.

Obviously things go way past that, though. Their character gets called into question in very public ways. They are regularly ridiculed and have to deal with their families getting drawn into the whole thing as well.

Both Kessel and Phaneuf have said that they have not been playing well. Kessel's outburst seems to be more that too much of the blame for the team's bad performance has been lain on Phaneuf.

It's not a coincidence that this happened after the TSN Lupul stuff. That was inexcusable behaviour either by letting everything onto the crawl or not pulling that piece. Given the relationship between the players and media, some outburst after that was hardly surprising.

well... with kypreos.. i am not so sure he even remembers yesterday
- Dozzer

Even half concussed he still knows a hell of a lot more than us on what goes on.

I think you, as citizens, should stop whining and deflecting on the media and do something about it. Stop watching games on TV...cancel your sports channels. Now. That's how you vote in the marketplace. Stop reading the media...including this blog. All of it. Don't give anyone the page hits. Go for a walk or build something. You can complain all you want, but if the public still subscribes or clicks, the media assumes they're giving them what they want.

That's how you affect change in the marketplace and create an environment where people only ever say good things about Dion Phaneuf - like it is in this forum. Are you prepared to do that? Quit whining then.
- SmileandWave

No. I like watching hockey. I support my team through thick and thin. I don't ask for all this coverage. I simply don't care that Jonas Siegel thinks Phil Kessel should take media lessons because he was mean to him and the other reporters one day.

I get it's fun to pretend like all this noise wouldn't bother us if we were lucky enough to be NHL players - it's fun to pretend that the Toronto media is acting on behalf of the fans of the team and not being overly critical to drive ratings. They're not. What percentage of fans do you think call into radio shows, or go online in forums like this and comment? It's pretty small. They're not speaking for me and I never asked them to.

I would prefer they just covered the team - I don't care that Dion Phaneuf wears a Red Bull hat during interviews. What is objective aout that criticism? Was that a warranted story in your estimation?

By extension, your argument is if I am not in favour of what my government does I should "turn off", dig a hole and sit in it and not express my displeasure and not cast a vote? Excuse me for hoping that more people voicing their displeasure with the coverage will also serve as a vehicle to enact change.

No offense taken, you basically summed up my whole point. On and on it goes.
- SmileandWave

At some point it needs to be recognized that both the fans and the media are responsible for the content they see on television and read in papers and online. One only exists because of the other and serves what sells.