UPDATE - The Predators have announced the signing of Cody Franson, 2 years for $1.6 million... the roster is complete for camp.

------------------------------

Hockey's off season is no fun for the fan, being without the game we all love, but it’s not fun (and slightly ridiculous) for another reason. Just like August in Washington when the political media is bored and will hype up any story to get some ink, us bloggers will sometimes make a small story waaaay to big in the offseason.

I’m talking about former Predator and current Lightning goaltender Dan Ellis and his Twitter account. Those that have been following his account for awhile know the kind of twisted humor he shows in his tweets, I mean c’mon… he’s a goalie… they ain’t right in the head to begin with.

Ellis' Twitter account is a great deal of fun to follow and it’s been his offbeat humor that has built his following to over 11,000 and now because of a few comments from August and some very recent comments regarding the CBA and escrow payments, the internet is in an uproar. His comments have drawn the wrath of bloggers and traditional hockey media alike. It’s been talked about on Puck Daddy, msnbc.com’s ProHockeyTalk and Bleacher Report to name a few.

What is being missed in this entire situation is the fact that Ellis came out in an earlier tweet and said he was going to “stir the pot” … and stir it he did. Even the follow up tweet of “I even gave you ample warning and you still bit…when are you going to learn to not take me seriously? Some of u got really pissed :( " as a follow up has gone largely unnoticed in the rush to pile on Ellis for the perceived insensitivity of his comments.

The funny part of this is that I bit on one of these last season. Dan had tweeted something about hitting a deer on an off day. I asked him about it the next day during pre-game, with a sincere statement of concern for his health. He got an impish look on his face and grinned. I then knew he got me… and he loved it. That was my lesson in his sly and slightly skewed view on things and when I recognized that little devil on his shoulder.

I could imagine Dan with that same look as the predictable responses flooded in. The follow up trending topic of #DanEllisProblems was hilarious and I think Dan found most of them funny as well, it fits with his humor. Quibble if you will over the back and forth that happened after the controversy broke, I’m sure Ellis would change some of his reactions if he had thought a little more about it, but that is the fun of Twitter, the instant, non-thought out reaction. The give and take. What seems to really bug his critics is that he hasn’t come out and begged for forgiveness for his so-called insensitivity.

The only thing this whole fiasco has accomplished is that more and more athletes will become even more guarded in their social media interactions… in this "control the message," PR driven world... that is a shame.

- 32 days till Opening Night.

---------------------------------------

You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating with starting lineups and scratches during Pred home games, also I’ll be supplying information and explanations from the PA box.

--------------------------------------

COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…

SlapShot Radio is on hiatus until our NHL Preview show on October 6th… however, pre-season advertising specials are available. Join our returning advertisers who already know, advertising on SlapShot Radio is a cost-effective way to reach out to hockey fans all over North America. Send me an email at [email protected] and I’ll get you information on joining the SlapShot Radio family.

The show is also putting together a road trip for Pred Nation… watch out Carolina, we’re headed your way this year. We’ve set up a bus trip to go see the Preds and Canes tangle on November 20th. We got the bus, the tickets and hotels available… check it out at SlapShot Radio’s Facebook page.

For the most updated guest information go to the SlapShot Radio website.

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» The time has come

» Whining through Game 3

» Playoff Picks

» Waiting for he playoffs

» A special night in Smashville