Colorado Avalanche Media Coverage Part IV

[Pokecheque]

Frei's work has always been a mixed bag to me. Like a couple other writers I otherwise like (Slava Malamud, Mike Harrington), and some I don't (Mark Spector), his vitriol when it comes to analytics gets really annoying. You don't have to like the practice but you also don't have to talk like it's ruining the game either.

On a side note I don't read Aarif Deen's written work a lot but Hockey Mountain High is a decent-enough podcast. I've been going through a LOT of Avs-related pods lately now that I'm up late at night a lot more than usual.

 

[Islay1989]

Frei's work has always been a mixed bag to me. Like a couple other writers I otherwise like (Slava Malamud, Mike Harrington), and some I don't (Mark Spector), his vitriol when it comes to analytics gets really annoying. You don't have to like the practice but you also don't have to talk like it's ruining the game either.

On a side note I don't read Aarif Deen's written work a lot but Hockey Mountain High is a decent-enough podcast. I've been going through a LOT of Avs-related pods lately now that I'm up late at night a lot more than usual.

Frei is a hot take specialist who reminds me of Skip Bayless.

 

[Pokecheque]

I disagree that whether or not his work was good is purely subjective. If you know anything about writing or about journalism, it's easy to objectively point out the differences between Clark and someone like Russo. Anyone looking at those two objectively can tell you that Russo is several levels above Clark when it comes to writing about hockey and being a hockey journalist. Now of course we can't expect every writer to be among the best, but we can expect that the writer has an above-average level or interest and knowledge in the topic they are writing about. Clark did not have that. His interest in hockey is clearly below the level of most fans, and his knowledge of the game is beginner-level. He was completely incapable of speculating intelligently about roster movement or analyzing gameplay. He was great when he had a one-on-one interview to base his article about, or he was doing an in-depth piece about a player, but those are the skills I want in a monthly magazine writer, not a semi-daily beat reporter. So, yes, he is clearly a hard-worker has some skills as a writer, but that's clearly not everything you need to be a good hockey reporter.

I think maybe my view on Clark is different than some because I don't really read Dater (although I used to) or DNVR or Chambers. So I'm not comparing him to those guys. If I were I'd probably think he's great. What I read is pretty much every writer on the Athletic staff, and by that standard Clark is one of the worst.

I still don't think that you can objectively assess his passion for the game of hockey based on his writing. You can assess the quality of his work and if you really feel like it, speculate as to his expertise in hockey, but you still can't say that he just doesn't care that much about hockey and present it as fact. The Athletic went outside the hockey world to hire someone for their Avs beat. If you're taking exception to his supposed lack of knowledge when it comes to hockey, then you should probably aim your criticism at his employers, not him. Again, he put the work in, and it's not just me who says that. I don't see how that belies a lack of passion about hockey, and really at this point, I don't care that much.

Yes, I know he isn't on the level of Russo or Portzline, but that's the very highest standard we're talking about here. Besides, The Athletic wanted him to do more long-form features rather than straight-up coverage, and that's what he delivered. Do I hope the next guy can offer more analysis? Yeah, sure I do. A great example of a young beat writer who offers insight and analysis as well as news and information is Murat Ates, who covers the Winnipeg Jets for The Athletic. If they can somehow find someone like THAT, I'll be thrilled. But I'm fine with Clark's work. It's certainly okay if you're not but I'm not buying into your "analysis" of how much he cares about hockey.

 

[Pokecheque]

Frei is a hot take specialist who reminds me of Skip Bayless.

Oh, I wouldn't go that far...Bayless never knows a goddamn thing he's talking about. Frei at least has a modicum of knowledge even when he does go off.

 

[Hasbro]

[QUOTE="Pokecheque, post: 174347877, member:] Are you mad at Lauren Gardner because she had ambitions beyond Altitude?.[/QUOTE]
Heartbroken.

 

[Hasbro]

Frei's work has always been a mixed bag to me. Like a couple other writers I otherwise like (Slava Malamud, Mike Harrington), and some I don't (Mark Spector), his vitriol when it comes to analytics gets really annoying.

Read:

 

[Pokecheque]

I am a big believer that to be a great journalist for a particular sport, you have to play it to a certain level.

There are scores upon scores of examples where this is easily disproven.

 

[Avs_19]

I don't know how this narrative of Clark not covering hockey before, caring about it, or being knowledgeable about it began here but I never got that feeling and he literally wrote this in his very first article:

Covering the NHL is a goal I’ve had since I was 12. Getting there meant having to work in places like Richmond, Indiana and Beaumont, Texas. It was understanding that covering the United States Hockey League in Fargo, North Dakota needed to happen.

Being at the Sun Sentinel allowed me to understand the demands of a large market. Yet covering the Florida State Seminoles and Washington Huskies showed me how readers want something different.

Throughout all of this, covering the NHL was still my goal. At first, the objective was just trying to land an NHL beat.

Now? I’m 34 and realize it’s about being at a place that wants great stories.

Clark: "Our only limit should be to have none"

I hope whoever they get next has a similar mindset and isn't just content with the basic everyday beat writer stuff.

 

[Pokecheque]

Heartbroken.

Hey, we get double the Lauren now--Gardner still shows up on NHL Network so I'm good.

 

[Pokecheque]

I don't know how this narrative of Clark not covering hockey before, caring about it, or being knowledgeable about it began here but I never got that feeling and he literally wrote this in his very first article:



Clark: "Our only limit should be to have none"

I hope whoever they get next has a similar mindset and isn't just content with the basic everyday beat writer stuff.

Yeah, I don't get at all how this has gotten all twisted into how he didn't give a shit about the Avalanche or the sport of hockey, it's really annoying to read on here.

 

[Metallo]

You must think the Avs beat reporter gig is like the best job in the world or something.

By all accounts Clark put the work in, it's one of many reasons he's a rising star. Who cares if he viewed or didn't view the job as a stepping stone to something greater? Are you mad at Lauren Gardner because she had ambitions beyond Altitude? All we should care about is the job they do while they're here. Whether you liked his work or not is purely subjective but he put the effort in regardless.

And to say Clark "wasn't interested in hockey" is asinine to say the least.

You missed the point altogether. Great if you are passionate about hockey and move on to better and bigger things.

If you only take the job for the exposure and don’t really care about hockey, then yeah it’s a pass for me. Don’t care about LG, she’s eye candy and a non-factor regarding actual hockey reporting. Those types don’t bother me at all if they move on.

Asking for someone knowledgeable is too much?

 

[Metallo]

Your heads in the clouds with this. Keep in mind that in almost all US markets, hockey is competing with the NFL, MLB, and the NBA.

Someone who’s a) good; b) knowledgeable about hockey; and c) dedicated to remaining in Denver is a very small cross section of people if you represent it in a vin diagram. It’s not realistic. You might as well ask for a
unicorn while you’re at it. It’s not that it’s impossible but it’s very unlikely.

This person you’re describing is most likely from Canada. If that person were to come to the Avs, they’d most likely try to make it back to a Canadian market as soon as possible as they’d feel like they’re being wasted.

I think the people who are ok with another version of Clark are being practical and realistic regarding the market realities.

Reading comprehension. There is an “AND” in my sentence.

 

[Metallo]

lol. Imagine thinking that being a regional reporter will be someone's ultimate inspiration. 99% of the people will treat this gig as a stepping stone.

Reading comprehension. There is an “AND” in my sentence.

 

[Pokecheque]

You missed the poin altogether. Great if you are passionate about hockey and move on to better and bigger things.

If you only take the job for the exposure and don’t really care about hockey, then yeah it’s a pass for me. Don’t care about LG, she’s eye candy and a non-factor regarding actual hockey reporting. Those types don’t bother me at all if they move on.

Asking for someone knowledgeable is too much?

I got your point loud and clear. So did everyone else.

You're making character judgments on people you know nothing about. You have no earthly idea what motivates him. Says more about you than it does about anyone you're talking about.

 

[S E P H]

There are scores upon scores of examples where this is easily disproven.

Nah, there are many good journalists sure, but to understand the game and write about it in the proper context, then you need to play the sport. I'm not just talking about hockey though, everything. You don't go to get your knee chequed out at a car mechanic do you?

 

[Metallo]

I got your point loud and clear. So did everyone else.

You're making character judgments on people you know nothing about. You have no earthly idea what motivates him. Says more about you than it does about anyone you're talking about.

And you know what he wants?

Fine if he wants to move to Seattle. Pretty sure he does not stick with hockey for 5 years.

We can all still make predictions here or not?

 

[Pokecheque]

Nah, there are many good journalists sure, but to understand the game and write about it in the proper context, then you need to play the sport. I'm not just talking about hockey though, everything. You don't go to get your knee chequed out at a car mechanic do you?

Again, you can delve into the long and storied history of sports and sports coverage and find examples that refute this. Some of the most legendary baseball writers of all time never even picked up a bat.

Conversely, there are a lot of former players who were absolutely terrible when it came to covering their own sport.

And your analogy is ridiculous. We're talking about people writing about sports, not orthopedic surgeons. I'm not asking a sportswriter to operate on my knee.

 

[Pokecheque]

And you know what he wants?

Fine if he wants to move to Seattle. Pretty sure he does not stick with hockey for 5 years.

We can all still make predictions here or not?

Nope. I don't know what he wants...but that's the point, I don't care either. I don't have to know the innermost workings of a writer's psyche in order to enjoy their work.

Make all the predictions you want, doesn't make your assessment of his character any less absurd.

 

[Metallo]

Nope. I don't know what he wants...but that's the point, I don't care either. I don't have to know the innermost workings of a writer's psyche in order to enjoy their work.

Make all the predictions you want, doesn't make your assessment of his character any less absurd.

Let me put it this way. If he was really passionate and knowledgable about hockey it did not transpire in his work. Which is what counts in the end.

 

[Pokecheque]

Let me put it this way. If he was really passionate and knowledgable about hockey it did not transpire in his work. Which is what counts in the end.

Again, that's subjective. I'm not saying he was the best hockey writer North America has ever seen, but I didn't have a problem with his work, and I certainly didn't feel it belied a lack of interest, and it sure as hell doesn't imply he's some kind of mercenary as you seem to believe.

 

[UncleRisto]

Again, you can delve into the long and storied history of sports and sports coverage and find examples that refute this. Some of the most legendary baseball writers of all time never even picked up a bat.

Conversely, there are a lot of former players who were absolutely terrible when it came to covering their own sport.

And your analogy is ridiculous. We're talking about people writing about sports, not orthopedic surgeons. I'm not asking a sportswriter to operate on my knee.

Here is another analogy for this. I write about my field. I think I'm a fairly good academic writer. I don't consider myself a particularly good practitioner in that same field, but I know about theory.

Similarly, a good hockey reporter doesn't have to play hockey (unless maybe it is their responsibility to do some kind of Xs and Os thing) but they do have to have a good understanding of the sport.

In this sense, I think Clark is green and I don't appreciate that he was covering a team with a major outlet and pretty much learning about the sport.

However, I don't doubt that there is a place for him in national coverage or some article thing, much like someone like Emily Kaplan who has said herself that she is new to the sport. She does a good job even then.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Reading comprehension. There is an “AND” in my sentence.

Your “and” created a combination of hockey knowledge and not wanting to use the Avs as a stepping stone. My reply addresses that.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Personally, I liked Clark and appreciated his work. It helps that I was highly interested in the subject matter.

Like many writers in recent years he was a bit more of a fan than a critical objective journalist. Mostly from his Twitter posts, but they were still fun and that’s part of being in the sports field.

There could be a lot worse people in that role than Clark.

 

[Metallo]

Your “and” created a combination of hockey knowledge and not wanting to use the Avs as a stepping stone. My reply addresses that.

The guy does not have hockey knowledge.

 

[avsfan09]

Nah, there are many good journalists sure, but to understand the game and write about it in the proper context, then you need to play the sport. I'm not just talking about hockey though, everything. You don't go to get your knee chequed out at a car mechanic do you?

I think you can immerse yourself enough in a subject to learn it without actually being involved if you have the passion or excitement for the subject. Obviously it helps gain perspective being on all sides but being around people that have and learning from a combo of watching and picking the minds of the people that have played works as a substitute for the really passionate.