Two Quick Thoughts
One, name another organization where the ombudsman becomes the spokesman.
Nope, can't think of one either.
Yet that's what has apparently happened with the messed-up NHL Players Association where Buzz Hargrove has risen to the top and become the voice of the union.
He says whether it was right or wrong to fire Paul Kelly. He calls Kelly a liar on the airwaves. He decides whether Roy McMurtry should have been asked to write a legal opinion on Kelly. He has an opinion on whether Kelly's emails should have been lifted and presented to the player reps.
This is an ombudsman we're talking about!!! Where in the world is Ian Penny, the orchestrator of all this chaos?
Two, one more thought on Ron Wilson accused the media of "building monuments" to players before they've done anything.
Interesting. Wasn't it Wilson who proclaimed that Nazem Kadri will one day be a "superstar" in the NHL?
Damien, you and Ron Wilson are going to get along just great. You will be hockey's version of Richard Griffin vs. J.P. Ricciardi.
Posted by: eyebleaf | October 07, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Damien, I suggest the NHLPA members driver to Park Rd in Oshawa, south of the 401. There is a big almost empty building there that used to employ thousands until last June. It's called the GM truck plant. This is your new spokesman Buzz Hargrove's legacy. Great Choice and good luck!!
After watching last nights game, the last thing on Wilson and Burke's mind should be the media. With regard to Kadri, I'd say the future is now. It's amazing, all the trades and signings, understanding still no Kessel, but really, it looked like the same old, same old last night. No fight, no fire, just go through the motions and collect a pay cheque. Looks like Burke should hire a cardiologist and give a couple of heart transplants. Good thing was the goaltending was not the losing factor. Hey Damien, I oddly enough placed the leafs with 93-95 pts. Guess what? Just dropped to 90 and now in hard to make the playoffs. Think early season games don't matter, tell me that in April!!!
Posted by: Musclehead | October 07, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Just read yesterdays blog.
I'm just waiting for Wilson to have his JP Ricciardi moment when he gets called out on a lie and says: "It's not a lie if you know the truth."
Posted by: brent | October 07, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Damien,
Just like any political organization there is an underbelly that once exposed just keeps spewing and oozing lies and coverups.... The NHLPA is no different and its "enemy" the NHL is no better if not worse.... The players are smart to take as much money as they can upfront because who knows what both the NHL and NHLPA are up to....
As for Wilson he does have a point, the Toronto media makes up news between game days if only to justify their jobs and salaries.... But at the same time it is starting to sound like the leaf management is having a tough time quitting their habit of overhyping the team.... Burke should have said one more year of doing bad, and we might have to conceid that the Kessle trade will produce a high draft pick for Boston, but instead we overhyped it and are betting against the odds about the playoffs.........
Posted by: mario | October 07, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Damien,
Just like any political organization there is an underbelly that once exposed just keeps spewing and oozing lies and coverups.... The NHLPA is no different and its "enemy" the NHL is no better if not worse.... The players are smart to take as much money as they can upfront because who knows what both the NHL and NHLPA are up to....
As for Wilson he does have a point, the Toronto media makes up news between game days if only to justify their jobs and salaries.... But at the same time it is starting to sound like the leaf management is having a tough time quitting their habit of overhyping the team.... Burke should have said one more year of doing bad, and we might have to conceid that the Kessle trade will produce a high draft pick for Boston, but instead we overhyped it and are betting against the odds about the playoffs.........
Posted by: mario | October 07, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Looks like someone can dish but can't take. Ladies and gentleman, this is the true face of the media in Toronto. Pretty sure Wilson's comments were about you guys lambasting players after a mere two games (or in the case of yourself Mr. Cox, one game). Let's try to keep things in context now. I know you want to 'drive hits up' on the website but try to keep it a little more real.
Posted by: lame_to_media | October 07, 2009 at 02:06 PM
I think wilson has bitten off more than he can chew. I don't think the media will back off one bit, especially with his attitude towards them coupled with what appears to be a poorly coached team. Here's hoping for his sake, he can get this team turned around...fast.
Posted by: Frank E | October 07, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Yeah, Penny's disappearing act is curious to say the least.
Say what you want about Hargrove, he's just about the only person involved in the PA who I have any confidence knows what he's doing. I might disagree with his tactics, but at least I don't question his competence. Can't say that about the rest of them.
Posted by: Geoff Read | October 08, 2009 at 09:21 AM
Wilson and Burke - a great pair - I'd hate to see these guys if the Laffs were really good. Is there anyone more sour looking than Wilson - win or lose?
Give us a break man - give up the real tough guy act.
Wilson may lose the media - what he should worry about is losing his players - that might not take long - then he is history.
Posted by: O.Boy | October 08, 2009 at 12:25 PM
You still harpin on Ronnie W???? Your post a couple days ago was absolutely correct re:thin skin. Let's move on now, no time to lose sleep over Ron's think skin.
Posted by: Neil | October 08, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Damian, lol, Ron Wilson's observation on Nazem Kadri does not remotely qualify for 'building monument' status.
Posted by: Chris | October 10, 2009 at 08:36 AM
I mean DamiEn, sorry.
Posted by: Chris | October 10, 2009 at 08:37 AM