Ryan Wilson: Playtime Is Over, For Writers with Baseless Narratives Playtime Is Over, For Writers with Fact-less Narratives

Ryan Wilson: Playtime Is Over, For Writers with Baseless Narratives
Playtime Is Over, For Writers with Fact-less Narratives
- Ryan_Wilson

Good writeup... like it when you point out other's bullpoop

Wait, hold on a second, I thought playtime was over?
- Ryan_Wilson

incinerated

Good write up. This is a problem with journalism in general and the media. There is always an agenda, always poor fact checking and with our need for information now, it only furthers the problem.

Rossi is a Dbag and sucks at his job. He was always garbage when he was on MM. If you look at all the greats in all of sports, they all had a strong supporting cast. This Pens team the last few yrs has not been that good, it should be no surprise to anyone for the early playoff exits. Shero and DB deservedly finally got the blame for the past 5 yrs.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a...8179263990114398100_n.jpg

Just saw this on my FB page of Jagr in full out Mullet! Look at that main!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/s526x395/10524356_793019070718372_8179263990114398100_n.jpg

Just saw this on my FB page of Jagr in full out Mullet! Look at that main!
- sammy87

Good write up. This is a problem with journalism in general and the media. There is always an agenda, always poor fact checking and with our need for information now, it only furthers the problem.

Rossi is a Dbag and sucks at his job. He was always garbage when he was on MM. If you look at all the greats in all of sports, they all had a strong supporting cast. This Pens team the last few yrs has not been that good, it should be no surprise to anyone for the early playoff exits. Shero and DB deservedly finally got the blame for the past 5 yrs.
- sammy87

I try not to be too hard on a writer because I couldn't do any better. Of course, there are times when writers write things that are just way out of line. The fact that Rossi has a responsibility to cover this team from a major news outlet is what upsets me. Most casual hockey fans will read that and then be talking about it every time Malkin has a slight bad stretch.

I know the bottom 6 was 80% of the problem. And yes, our bottom 6 has improved. But Sid and Geno still need proper support on their wings. Downie/Dupuis/Spaling/etc have no business playing with Sid and Geno, imo.

I liked the piece good job.your ownership and head office are very much to blame for the pens not being able to get this team over the hump.this franchise posseses hands down the best player in hockey and argueably the second to fourth best in the league(loaded topic,its a matter of opinion).Malkin and Crosby are not to blame for the ineptitude of the franchise to aquire some solid linemates for these guys as well as a bottom 6 to stop the other team and contribute in any way offensively.a defence that works hard for 60 mins in both ends,and finally a consistent goaltender who isn't either lights out or lit up.this is a team sport not just an allstar game.Crosby and Malkin can help get the team there but there has to be a TEAM there backing them up to win.

Ryan Wilson: Playtime Is Over, For Writers with Baseless Narratives
Playtime Is Over, For Writers with Fact-less Narratives
- Ryan_Wilson

Not saying that this is the case, but you remember years back the whole Derek Roy situation in Buffalo. The problem was never his own stats. He always produced at a very decent pace (the very end of his tenure excluded). However, he did it in such a way that didn't allow the rest of the team to produce. That became apparent when he went down in 2010-2011. Despite losing his 70 point production, the team actually got better in his absence.

Now, I am in no way implying that this is the same case with Evgeni Malkin, or that he is a cancer, or anything like that. However, it seems that there have been multiple reports, both locally and nationally, of unrest in that locker room. We have no idea if it centers around Malkin or not. It could just be frustration on his part, but the fact that Mike Johnston felt the need to fly half way across the world to sell him on his plan tells me there's some sort of unrest there. The depth in Pittsburgh is definitely an issue, but I just can't bring myself to accept that he went there simply to tell him "don't worry, we're going to bring in some better 3rd and 4th liners".

I try not to be too hard on a writer because I couldn't do any better. Of course, there are times when writers write things that are just way out of line. The fact that Rossi has a responsibility to cover this team from a major news outlet is what upsets me. Most casual hockey fans will read that and then be talking about it every time Malkin has a slight bad stretch.

I know the bottom 6 was 80% of the problem. And yes, our bottom 6 has improved. But Sid and Geno still need proper support on their wings. Downie/Dupuis/Spaling/etc have no business playing with Sid and Geno, imo.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

exactly,bottom 6 guys riding coat tails doesn't help the team.those guys are bottom 6 and should be playing there.gotta bring in some talented wingers to take some of the heat off Crosby and malkin.

I liked the piece good job.your ownership and head office are very much to blame for the pens not being able to get this team over the hump.this franchise posseses hands down the best player in hockey and argueably the second to fourth best in the league(loaded topic,its a matter of opinion).Malkin and Crosby are not to blame for the ineptitude of the franchise to aquire some solid linemates for these guys as well as a bottom 6 to stop the other team and contribute in any way offensively.a defence that works hard for 60 mins in both ends,and finally a consistent goaltender who isn't either lights out or lit up.this is a team sport not just an allstar game.Crosby and Malkin can help get the team there but there has to be a TEAM there backing them up to win.
- smackdaddy

I couldn't agree with you more.

How long before a Crosby vs Malkin debate breaks out?

How long before a Crosby vs Malkin debate breaks out?
- dbell646

Hopefully in about 20 years.

How long before a Crosby vs Malkin debate breaks out?
- dbell646

Not sure what debate there is... Crosby > Malkin. And that is in no way an insult to Malkin, just Crosby is that good.

A good debate would be if Malkin is the 2nd best player in the world.

PFFFFFFFT...

Try dealing with the Toronto media and the Leafs. Now the there's a (frank)ing circus sideshow!

i hope eklund doesn't see this.

The Trib turned into a tabloid when Richard Scaife bought it, so they're probably extremely pleased with Rossi's first "column."

And it appears to have worked - it'll get even more hits thanks to this article pointing out its sheer idiocy.

With writers, it's what gets read that matters.

Rossi isn't the first and definitely won't be the last two write a story that sounds a little off the mark...just for the sake of getting read and responded to. Unlike a lot of 'better' writers, Rossi's stuff seems to come off as more childish to me most of the time.

I have always liked Dejan Kovacevic more because either he really means what he says or he does a way better job of convincing me when he writes his articles. He's had some controversial articles/opinions but I almost always get the feeling he's invested in the opinion and not just saying things to stir the pot.

Jason Whitlock is a favorite of mine too because he's controversial but very convincing in his process. I don't always agree with him but he almost always has a good point.

And hey...Ryan's blog today is an example of how one person's opinion (honest or not) provides the framework for more conversation.

i hope eklund doesn't see this.
- mark_laforest

Malkin trade rumors would start eh?

The Penguins are my pick to make it to the SCF out of the East.

Since 08/09, they've been the preseason "favorite" to make it to the SCF if not to outright win. And every year, they've failed to win a game past the second round. I think some of the luster is wearing off, and now writers are looking at teams like Boston, NYR, and even Montreal as the teams to make it out of the East. While I wouldn't say they'd be a "surprise" team to make it, I think that some people have started to write them off in favor of others.

However, I think this current Pens' team is quite possibly the best, on paper, since the 08/09 squad. I think the D has been significantly upgraded, the bottom-6 consist of NHL-level players, and Sid and Geno are healthy. Fleury was, at the very least, a non-factor in the latest playoffs (minus Game 4 vs CBJ), and that might be all that he has to be.

Now, while I'll hope that they lose if (and only if) they come up against the Flyers, they'd be my current pick to make it out of the East.

Some "journalists" like to make the story about themselves. They crave the controversy and don't care about integrity. Facts mean nothing to these hacks. Rossi is a piece of crap. Unfortunately JR couldn't throw in blowhards like and Madden in the trade for Hornqvist.

It's too bad that the Penguin fans had to suffer by watching the way Malkin has played for years.

Not sure what debate there is... Crosby > Malkin. And that is in no way an insult to Malkin, just Crosby is that good.

A good debate would be if Malkin is the 2nd best player in the world.
- Guile

Agreed, at least with the first part.

Agreed, at least with the first part.
- jmatchett383

I think talent wise, Makin is the best in the world. He can take his skill to a whole other level. However its not on a consistent rate. Crosby is the more complete player and has the leadership/toughness Malkin doesn't have. Malkin gets banged up, he usually shuts down. Crosby seems to rise to the occasion in Philly, Malkin not so much.

Rossi's stuff seems to come off as more childish to me most of the time.
- icedog97

The issue is that he's not a good writer. He's not clever, he can't turn a phrase, and he's unorganized.

That piece was him trying to imitate the tone and tenor of a sports columnist, but failing badly at it.

Oooh, Led Zeppelin allusion. That'll earn him the WDVE crowd.

And it's all based on this stupid conception of locker room issues. Locker rooms are fixed easily - by winning.

James Neal doesn't go kneeing people in the head, embarrassing Lemieux, and he's still in town, whether he's aloof or egotistical in the locker room or not.