Thread: Scoreboard

Originally Posted by CarlaMuller

I agree with you completely on this point.


I think it is only fair and right that I respond because I appreciate the fact that you took the time to question things I have written in the past. I get that some, all or a majority of people don't believe what and whom are reading my blogs. In turn, since I have direct feedback to back up my beliefs, I maintain the right to believe what I know. Perhaps this rubs some the wrong way since I feel no need to prove what I know and how I know it. We all are 100% entitled to believe whatever we want to on this point.

As an aside, this isn't the first time this has been said to me. I will leave it at this. I haven't figured out whether those who don't believe me are more upset that I think this or more upset that it might be TRUE.

Do I think when players do better I caused it? I am not on the ice so obviously the player(s) who stepped up deserves the credit. Do I think some of the things I have written have been read by the team, players or management and might have motivated/inspired or been a factor with the results of the player(s) or the team? Yeah; I do because I have contacts that confirm this possibility.

I also take no issue with anyone or everyone who feels I haven't earned their respect. In turn, I feel no need to prove anything to anyone here. I write what I write. Read it, don't read it. This is a voluntary activity. What I take issue with is people here who think I owe them ANYTHING. The bottom line is I have an opportunity to write for a site that is read A LOT. That audience speaks for itself. I am happy to let my blogs speak for themselves.

In closing, these blogs are my passion away from my job. It is not something I am paid to do. It is a choice I make and whatever responses my blogs create is fine. I take ownership of that. People here who think I owe them anything have the right to expect it. I also have the right not to jump through hoops.

It is my hope that since I took the time to respond that some who feel I can't handle the heat of being called out will perhaps consider the possibility that I can take it and am happy to try. As a practical matter, I have a very demanding full time job. The amount of time I have to research, write and edit my blogs and fulfill the responsibilities of my work sometimes leave me insufficient time to respond to everyone who comments. Also, I fully admit that people whom I find disrespectful, I intentionally ignore. That is my right.

Also, since some people expressed that I have an attitude that it is my way or the highway, this couldn't be more wrong. So long as dialogue is created that is based on the content of my blogs and not me personally, I have no problem with that. I plain do not have the time to prove who I am, what I know and how I know it. If I provide something interesting, great. If I am not people's cup of tea, I am okay with that too.

I'm not saying that I 'don't believe' the players and coaches read your stuff, I have a hard time believing it. If they sat around and read everything written about them, well, I'd have to question them.

Thats great that you've gotten responses from some people in the organization etc. I just find it hard to believe at this point. And you stand by the fact that you've called out a player in the past and they've stepped up their game. So, do you get Thank You cards from Rob Blake after every good game he has?

Players are criticized for almost every bad play they make on the ice each night. They know they made a mistake. They don't read blogs and message baords looking for feedback on their performance.

Originally Posted by johnmac44

And you stand by the fact that you've called out a player in the past and they've stepped up their game. So, do you get Thank You cards from Rob Blake after every good game he has?

None of me believes that every time a player steps up his game, if I called them out, that I was a factor EVERY time. That is foolhardy and I get that. I stand by the fact my blogs are read and there have been effects in some things I have written.

Originally Posted by johnmac44

Players are criticized for almost every bad play they make on the ice each night. They know they made a mistake. They don't read blogs and message boards looking for feedback on their performance.

The press so absolutely has an effect on players. It is a public statement that is read by many and asked directly to those who have direct access. The blogs I put here are verbatim what goes up on Hockey Buzz. While I appreciate that site is not thought of well by many here, it doesn't change the reality that the site gets a million hits a month and gets more traffic than near every other hockey site other than TSN. The traffic at Hockey Buzz is closer to TSN traffic than any other hockey site. That just is.

Talk to players in Canada, Toronto and Montreal especially, and ask them if they are effected by the press and articles written about them there. I may not be a paid hockey reporter; but I know for a fact that I am read by more people than the paid sports writers when it comes to the Kings. I don't need anyone to believe this statement. I have no intention of proving it. It just is. Believe it or not; either way, is fine by me.

With this, I have said all I plan to say to those who question me, what I say and what I believe.

OK. I know this is just my first day and don't really have a dog in this fight, but can't we just get along? At least long enough for someone to answer my question about the Labarbera video.

Our Los Angeles Kings are about to play - can life get any better?

Somebody please have a nacho comacho for me tonight!!!

Originally Posted by Dawnwood

At least long enough for someone to answer my question about the Labarbera video.

I don't have a link right now. I have asked someone to ask LaBarbera about this after the game tonight. If my contact gets my e-mail in time, I at least can provide some of Jason't responses since I haven't seen this part of his pre-game ritual shown/documented in Fox Sports Net broadcasts. As to a link, if my contact doesn't know of one, I am guessing that if there is one, it can be found with either a google search or a youtube search.

Sorry I can't provide a better answer right now but I wanted to make sure I responded to you so you knew I was trying to find an answer for you.

Thank you so much for getting back to me.

I would have thought it was on youtube as well. But I can't find it. Maybe they will show it tonight again.

Enjoy the game! For some reason, I am quite hopeful tonight.

Let's Go Kings!!!

Originally Posted by Dawnwood

Thank you so much for getting back to me.

I would have thought it was on youtube as well. But I can't find it. Maybe they will show it tonight again. Enjoy the game! For some reason, I am quite hopeful tonight.

You are most welcome. I did a search of youtube and had the same non results you got. I also did a search of tsn.ca and google and found nothing either. My contact got back to me already and said LaBarbera was pretty annoyed that both TSN and CBC showed the cllip on his visual routine he does during the anthem. She didn't think he would want another question b/c he was already annoyed it showed up on two broadcasts in the last road trip.

My contact also said that if she can talk to LaBarbera tonight she will ask him about his pre-game ritual in the dressing room. If she gets a response, I will put it in my blog.

As to tonight's game, I HATE going to Detroit games. Red Wings' fans in home games are a bit roudy for my taste and make me feel like I am at an away game when this is the Kings' turf. Oh well..... it is what it is and I will try to share your optimism!!

Originally Posted by CarlaMuller

None of me believes that every time a player steps up his game, if I called them out, that I was a factor EVERY time. That is foolhardy and I get that. I stand by the fact my blogs are read and there have been effects in some things I have written.


The press so absolutely has an effect on players. It is a public statement that is read by many and asked directly to those who have direct access. The blogs I put here are verbatim what goes up on Hockey Buzz. While I appreciate that site is not thought of well by many here, it doesn't change the reality that the site gets a million hits a month and gets more traffic than near every other hockey site other than TSN. The traffic at Hockey Buzz is closer to TSN traffic than any other hockey site. That just is.

Talk to players in Canada, Toronto and Montreal especially, and ask them if they are effected by the press and articles written about them there. I may not be a paid hockey reporter; but I know for a fact that I am read by more people than the paid sports writers when it comes to the Kings. I don't need anyone to believe this statement. I have no intention of proving it. It just is. Believe it or not; either way, is fine by me.

With this, I have said all I plan to say to those who question me, what I say and what I believe.

Then why do you continue to respond?

c5

Originally Posted by CarlaMuller

I agree with you completely on this point.


I think it is only fair and right that I respond because I appreciate the fact that you took the time to question things I have written in the past. I get that some, all or a majority of people don't believe what and whom are reading my blogs. In turn, since I have direct feedback to back up my beliefs, I maintain the right to believe what I know. Perhaps this rubs some the wrong way since I feel no need to prove what I know and how I know it. We all are 100% entitled to believe whatever we want to on this point.

As an aside, this isn't the first time this has been said to me. I will leave it at this. I haven't figured out whether those who don't believe me are more upset that I think this or more upset that it might be TRUE.

Do I think when players do better I caused it? I am not on the ice so obviously the player(s) who stepped up deserves the credit. Do I think some of the things I have written have been read by the team, players or management and might have motivated/inspired or been a factor with the results of the player(s) or the team? Yeah; I do because I have contacts that confirm this possibility.

I also take no issue with anyone or everyone who feels I haven't earned their respect. In turn, I feel no need to prove anything to anyone here. I write what I write. Read it, don't read it. This is a voluntary activity. What I take issue with is people here who think I owe them ANYTHING. The bottom line is I have an opportunity to write for a site that is read A LOT. That audience speaks for itself. I am happy to let my blogs speak for themselves.

In closing, these blogs are my passion away from my job. It is not something I am paid to do. It is a choice I make and whatever responses my blogs create is fine. I take ownership of that. People here who think I owe them anything have the right to expect it. I also have the right not to jump through hoops.

It is my hope that since I took the time to respond that some who feel I can't handle the heat of being called out will perhaps consider the possibility that I can take it and am happy to try. As a practical matter, I have a very demanding full time job. The amount of time I have to research, write and edit my blogs and fulfill the responsibilities of my work sometimes leave me insufficient time to respond to everyone who comments. Also, I fully admit that people whom I find disrespectful, I intentionally ignore. That is my right.

Also, since some people expressed that I have an attitude that it is my way or the highway, this couldn't be more wrong. So long as dialogue is created that is based on the content of my blogs and not me personally, I have no problem with that. I plain do not have the time to prove who I am, what I know and how I know it. If I provide something interesting, great. If I am not people's cup of tea, I am okay with that too.

If you feel you don't have anything to prove to anyone here, why do you spend all this time defending your position? We will have to agree to disagree on certain points.

I, for one, DO NOT nor will ever believe that the players and coaches are reading your blogs and the comments in this site. If they are, they are laughing.

In fact, if this WERE true, maybe you could all take responsibility for the way this team plays. You pick apart every play, every game, call for trades after two losses. You misconstrue statements by the press, you take out of context things that are said to reporters, other hockey players, etc. In fact, if I were the coach and I found out they were reading this site, I'd be furious. You all take way too much credit.

Nick and Darryl are getting a little tired of answering the same questions night after night. Do you honestly think that anyone cares what is said here? If anyone does, it's the fans, not the people involved in the teams.

You can write whatever you want, HOWEVER, please make sure you don't imply things that aren't true. And don't for a minute think that anyone here has to believe that your "take" on things is the be all and end all of hockey.

I, too, have alot of contacts with this team. I go back a really long way with them. I come from a hockey family. My father played with the likes of Jean Bealiveau, Gordie Howe, etc. Please don't talk down to me when it comes to a hockey game. Your writing style is very condescending. Write the facts and be done with it.

And Kings, IF you are reading this, there are alot of us out here who aren't skittish about going to a Detroit game, who are happy to sit through any game and watch this team develop. The young guys on this team are FUN to watch even in a loss. (Even the Detroit fans in front of me last night remarked about this, they're not so bad if you speak to them like a fellow hockey fan and not the "enemy") Remember this when you're trying to decide whether to sign here long term. There ARE fans who appreciate you, although we're silent most of the time.