Shawn Gates: 161 Players Overrate The Need To Offer Their Opinion

Shawn, no worry.

Just like ESPN, SI doesn't know poop about hockey and their coverage on the sport is mediocre at best

Shawn, no worry.

Just like ESPN, SI doesn't know poop about hockey and their coverage on the sport is mediocre at best
- wingz4life

Such a shame though. They don't know what they're missing!

Ah well. Just a mind boggling scenario to me that 20% of players would take part in a poll like this...not necessarily surprising, but mind-boggling none the less!

Entire thing was for ratings. Look around, you'll find quite a few writers and - ahem - bloggers doing the same thing.

It's weak, but I don't really give a poop.

Good write-up.

Does anyone know if SI does this for other sports? This isn't the first time they've done it with hockey. If the NHL is the only league they're asking this question to, then why are the players allowing themselves to continue to be a joke in the mainstream US sports media? Have some pride.

Entire thing was for ratings. Look around, you'll find quite a few writers and - ahem - bloggers doing the same thing.

It's weak, but I don't really give a poop.

Good write-up.
- Travis Yost

For sure, and that's why I get it from the SI side of things, but bizarre decision by the 161 imo...

Thanks for giving it a look Travis!

I just read about this poll on Garth's blog, and the first thing I thought about was what player would even give an answer to this poll. I personally wouldn't have much respect for a guy who would call someone out through an anonymous poll. If you want to call someone overrated, man up and put your name on it; otherwise, keep your mouth shut.

I do disagree with your thought that it could cause problems in the room. I doubt very seriously any player, even anonymously, would call one of their own teammates overrated. I know if my name was on this list I would never even consider that someone on my team would have said that about me. JMO.

Does anyone know if SI does this for other sports? This isn't the first time they've done it with hockey. If the NHL is the only league they're asking this question to, then why are the players allowing themselves to continue to be a joke in the mainstream US sports media? Have some pride.
- Jeffmt

I've seen them do it for basketball and baseball I know. Not sure if I've seen it for football, but they probably have. It's all about ratings, as has been said.

I just read about this poll on Garth's blog, and the first thing I thought about was what player would even give an answer to this poll. I personally wouldn't have much respect for a guy who would call someone out through an anonymous poll. If you want to call someone overrated, man up and put your name on it; otherwise, keep your mouth shut.

I do disagree with your thought that it could cause problems in the room. I doubt very seriously any player, even anonymously, would call one of their own teammates overrated. I know if my name was on this list I would never even consider that someone on my team would have said that about me. JMO.
- preds24

I see what you're saying. What about the following scenario: You made the list, you know a teammate voted but not necessarily for you.

Not that I think there's any one answer to this but would be interested for your, or anyones, thoughts on this...

Who cares? Sports Illustrated is a joke for hockey coverage anyways. I am sure some of the players who are on the list voted. I don't see the players being hurt by it. Most of the ones on the list are making too much money to care. At one point they did earn that money. That's basically what the list was, players with large contracts that are under-performing for what they are being paid. If anything this could act as a motivator to the "outed" players going forward. That wouldn't be a bad thing.

I see what you're saying. What about the following scenario: You made the list, you know a teammate voted but not necessarily for you.

Not that I think there's any one answer to this but would be interested for your, or anyones, thoughts on this...
- shawn_gates

Would they know if a teammate participated? If I knew a teammate participated, regardless if I was on the list, I would say something to them about hiding behind the veil of anonymity. If you feel the need to call somebody out, be a man and put your name on it. They're not basketball divas for crying out loud.

Like you said, it's not like this is the worst thing in the world, but it is a bit petty for professional hockey players to be participating in something like this. Seems more like something befitting writers and bloggers. That's one thing I like about hockey; for the most part the players have a higher standard of character than other athletes.

It was prolly the guys like Darcy Hordichuck, Matt Cooke ans Sean Avery that responded. Something tells me it wasn't the Towes, or Parise or Lidstroms of the league that indulged this.

If these clowns want to be heard , like Herm Edwards says, "Put your name on it." I'm guessing the turnout would be much less if there was some accountability.

Non-story. Next question.

Shawn, whats your opinion on the players?

The lack of Sabres really shocks me. Should be at least 15 Sabre players in the top 15.

I just read about this poll on Garth's blog, and the first thing I thought about was what player would even give an answer to this poll. I personally wouldn't have much respect for a guy who would call someone out through an anonymous poll.
- preds24

Brian Burke said the same. He basicaly said who in the hell would throw his teammates and other players under the bus. yadda yadda.

Does anyone know if SI does this for other sports? This isn't the first time they've done it with hockey. If the NHL is the only league they're asking this question to, then why are the players allowing themselves to continue to be a joke in the mainstream US sports media? Have some pride.
- Jeffmt

I know for a fact that they do this for baseball every year. Mostly because I am a Yankees fan and A-rod and Jeter are constantly at the top of the list.

But if it wasn't for this poll, what would silly Garth have to blog about, other than how great Lindy is?

Good write up Shawn. I don't agree with it but I do think it's somewhat interesting.

It's the dog days of the season, gotta create some copy now is how the big pubs operate.

Double post but who rates Gomez high to begin with?

Good write up Shawn. I don't agree with it but I do think it's somewhat interesting.

It's the dog days of the season, gotta create some copy now is how the big pubs operate.
- Peter.Tessier

Yeah, the more time I spend thinking about it as far as SI and this go, I think I'm more in the "Don't hate the player, hate the game" frame of mind. Understand the why, hate the how...

Double post but who rates Gomez high to begin with?
- Peter.Tessier

No kidding, eh? You have to rate to overrate. Now if the topic were strictly overpaid then sure...

This survey just confirms what the players have shown us repeatedly over the past 5 years, these guys really are that unsophisticated, stupid and uneducated.

Seriously, what group of professionals would participate in something as silly as this?

If I were Bettman, I'd send an email off to Fehr and double check with him that this was the group of guys he wanted to go to war with. I'm no big union movement fan, but having been a IWA member, and been part of more than one walkout/strike I can tell you that it's hard enough on the union side with the most solid group of guys. You can't possibly get anything out of collective bargaining with these sorts of clowns in your team.

Good write up Shawn. I don't agree with it but I do think it's somewhat interesting.

It's the dog days of the season, gotta create some copy now is how the big pubs operate.
- Peter.Tessier

There's nothing to talk about right now? There are playoff races all over the place, we're heading in to the allstar game, the trade deadline is right around the corner and you have the two best teams in the league ready to tear each other apart. There's tons to talk about and write about

Not sure why people are over reacting. Two things are important. This is the time of year that everyone does their mid season evaluations so the timing seems right to do these kind of things. Second, the list seems about right and nobody seems to be objecting to who is on the list.

The most remarkable entry of course has to be Phaneuf. My guess is he is there because of his being voted unto the All Star team as the second Dman named. The players are probably just voicing their opinion on that vote.

This shouldn't be getting as much attention as it is. It's a stupid list that means nothing to real hockey fans....... Do I care if Dion's feelings are hurt because he was voted as the most overrated NHL player? No I don't. He's a professional hockey player, if he lets stuff like this bother him he shouldn't be playing pro hockey. Who cares

Brian Burke said the same. He basicaly said who in the hell would throw his teammates and other players under the bus. yadda yadda.
- jbold

Mike Cammalleri !!!!