Lambert's Take-Down Piece on Dreger: "When an NHL insider becomes an inside man"

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Psytic

He's a media panelist and reporter. His job is to break news. The people in the Flames or Rags org that leaked it are the unprofessional ones. Dreger is not bound to a code of confidentiality why is that his problem at all. Don't want something leaked, don't tell the media. Public relations 101.

Well, there is the notion of "on/off the record" statements. Not sure which should be considered the default, I'd lean towards "off the record". That's in a perfect world, though, and as you say, if you don't want it leaked, don't tell the media.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Psytic

He's a media panelist and reporter. His job is to break news. The people in the Flames or Rags org that leaked it are the unprofessional ones. Dreger is not bound to a code of confidentiality why is that his problem at all. Don't want something leaked, don't tell the media. Public relations 101.

No, Dreger was not under any obligation to hold onto his information until after the game. You are also under no obligation to drive at or over the speed limit in the left lane of Deerfoot either. In both cases however, it doesn't mean you aren't an a-hole if you choose to buck common sense.

What Dreger showed in that instance was that he would take advantage of and use anyone to further himself, and that is not something that reflects well on his character. Casting aside any pretense of objectivity to shill for his cousin likewise reflects poorly on Dreger as a person.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

No, Dreger was not under any obligation to hold onto his information until after the game. You are also under no obligation to drive at or over the speed limit in the left lane of Deerfoot either. In both cases however, it doesn't mean you aren't an a-hole if you choose to buck common sense.

What Dreger showed in that instance was that he would take advantage of and use anyone to further himself, and that is not something that reflects well on his character. Casting aside any pretense of objectivity to shill for his cousin likewise reflects poorly on Dreger as a person.

I see him as a third party. Hes there to break news. Doesn't matter if its shocking thats what he does, report on the current events in the hockey world. Thats just the nature of journalism. Like I said don't want it leaked , don't leak it.

Whoever told him couldn't possibly have been naive enough to think that he wouldn't report on it. So whoever leaked it didn't feel that it was classless and its on that person imo. You don't tell the media something with the expectation they won't report it, that is the definition of the job. Why tell Dreger at all unless you have the full expectation hes going public with it. I can't fault the man for doing his job. Nor can I make the assumption he was told in confidence. The man did what he is paid to do and thats report hockey news first.

[BigTuna]

This is just useless speculation. Dreger has actually reported the Leafs will get less in a trade than they eventually did when Nonis was with the team (He said The Leafs would only get a second rounder "At Best" for Kaberle when they got Colnourne, a first, and a second for him.

I call B.S on this.

[T@T]

Dreger has one of those demeanors that make you want to turn and walk away but one of those faces that make you turn back hoping to smack it.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

This is just useless speculation. Dreger has actually reported the Leafs will get less in a trade than they eventually did when Nonis was with the team (He said The Leafs would only get a second rounder "At Best" for Kaberle when they got Colnourne, a first, and a second for him.

I call B.S on this.

Proof? Dreger was the one saying that the Bruins were willing to pay a premium for Kaberle a couple days before the trade. Many people had been calling a 1st round pick+ for Kaberle at the deadline long before the actual trade (akin to Iginla this past season), and so it looked like the Bruins did end up paying a bit of a premium.

He was also the one who's talking about a Kaberle-Savard trade shortly after Savard signed his new cap friendly contract and wasn't "done." At that time, many people had considered Savard to have much more value than a UFA to be Kaberle. I can't remember the last time Dreger reported a Leaf player to have less value than he actually did...

[McG]

i dunno, but what's the definition of an insider again?

someone's 3rd cousin that works for a sister company?

i treat all of these insiders the same...they have a job to do, they ask questions, they hear stuff that they do and don't pass along. they all have relationships within the nhl teams and agents so i don't think any are more or less connected.

oh no wait a minute i do think some are less connected; step forward wheel of eklund.

on topic though, it doesn't bother me one way or another because someone reports better info than someone else. they are reporters and it is their job to report.

[powderjunkie]

Dreger is a doofus, but that article was pathetic.

For starters, it sounds like Dreger is Nonis' second or third cousin...FWIW, Bill Barber is my third cousin, and I once heard him say in an interview that Bobby Orr was his 3rd cousin, but I'm afraid that doesn't make me any more knowledgable about the happenings in their world. While I'm sure Dreger and Nonis have some connection, I don't imagine they are attending the same family gatherings each Christmas...

Basically, it sounds like Dreger called everything correctly here.

I'm not sure the point Lambert was trying to make when he rambled on comparing the inexperience of Reimer, Bernier, Franson and Kadri...in all cases a show-me contract is the right call...Also, goaltending is apples and oranges with skaters.

[mikeecho]

I'm just dying to hear Lambert's breakdown of the Cody Franson situation where Dreger has come out and said he doesn't think the Leafs offer has been a fair one to the player. Lemme guess... Dreger and Nonis plotted that one out because Lambert was on to them?

[FlamesAddiction]

Many sports journalists are the same in this regard. If the team gives occasional inside scoops to reporters, it is often followed by a series of "positive" articles about the team. When journalists get cut off or ignored, they usually end up going to the players for information and will write articles supporting them.

90% of sports journalism is barely above National Enquirer standards and a grain of salt needs to be taken due to the angles and biases they have.

[browna]

Mouthpeice for the Leafs aside, Dreger's assent to Insider status, certainly after leaving Sportsnet, is aided due to the fact that he has a few contacts at the league office at the transactional level that tip him to transactions happening in real time.

Also, he's got several GM's in his phone, undoubdetly ours as well, who had no problem (at least before the ROR thing) using guys like that to float out news/rumors/set expectations, and its a two way street.

That's part of the reason insiders didn't like Sutter, he didn't provide any access or ear/voice to those guys, which basically prevents them from looking "smart" in the viewer's eyes.

I am sure guys like McKenzie do have these contacts as well as well, but as has been documented, a guy like McKenize handles things a little different. The Jokinen thing was a blatant disregard for any sort of integrity, and clear sign that getting the info from his league office source and firing it off without thought or filter, just to be "first", is what Dreger really wants to be all about.