Because as Eklund’s popularity and influence have grown—with surging Web traffic, high-profile radio gigs and an on-air role during an NHL trade deadline television special—so have serious charges about a fraudulent biography, his lack of journalistic ethics and some online behavior that historically has gotten professional reporters fired. During our hour-long conversation, the “anonymous hockey blogger” finally began to answer to them—with some startling revelations....
One of the most controversial aspects of the Eklund legend is his biography. The background he had given to ESPN was in direct contrast with the fanciful origin story he gave FanHouse’s Eric McErlain in an early (and must-read) interview in 2005. Self-aggrandizing aside—I still love the part about having written a book that sold so well he no longer had to work full-time—the fact was that the official bio on his Web site changed significantly after he began attracting a larger audience.
That was a very interesting read, entirely accurate.
I have met the guy, and he seems like a decent sort.(Well intentioned.) And some of his problems occur most likely from covering his tracks after mistakes.
On top of it, I would suggest there is a little naivity, as opposed to someone who is an intentional conman.
And lastly, the guy might deserve some of what he gets as far as lambasting, but not all, he really isn't a bad guy.
That was a very interesting read, entirely accurate.
I have met the guy, and he seems like a decent sort.(Well intentioned.) And some of his problems occur most likely from covering his tracks after mistakes.
On top of it, I would suggest there is a little naivity, as opposed to someone who is an intentional conman.
And lastly, the guy might deserve some of what he gets as far as lambasting, but not all, he really isn't a bad guy.
I think I'd concur with that - I met him at the Predators rally and he seemed decent enough, but at the start of the rally the attendance was announced at 7,500 (or so, I can't remember the exact figure). Later, on the radio, every time they mentioned the size of the crowd Ek kept bumping the figure up, for no apparent reason. First he said "over 8,000 people", then a little later on it was "8, 9, probably 10,000 people in there!"
It was nice to see someone outside of Nashville supporting the Predators, but that type of exaggeration doesn't serve any purpose, and only adds to his reputation for playing fast & loose with the truth. If he wants people to take him seriously, he probably needs to tone down the hyperbole and take himself more seriously first.
As an aspiring hockey writer myself (Im still in high school), I have lost any of little respect I had left for Eklund
I think as an "aspiring hockey writer" you'd do well to respect those that have paved the way for you. I realize that hockey writers have been around long before Eklund, but he's revolutionized hockey writing in a way that you are probably going to have to adapt to.
I think as an "aspiring hockey writer" you'd do well to respect those that have paved the way for you. I realize that hockey writers have been around long before Eklund, but he's revolutionized hockey writing in a way that you are probably going to have to adapt to.
Revolutionized? Journalists have been lying and making stuff up long before Eklund came around.
I think as an "aspiring hockey writer" you'd do well to respect those that have paved the way for you. I realize that hockey writers have been around long before Eklund, but he's revolutionized hockey writing in a way that you are probably going to have to adapt to.
While his impact on the industry is undeniable, it's still being argued whether or not that impact is positive or negative. I think any aspiring hockey writer looking toward the online frontier would be better served following the examples set by Kukla and McErlain and Mirtle. All three consistently put out some of the best hockey coverage on the Internet today and they're all self-made. Any acclaim or attention they have received has been because of their own merits, not because of some backing by a "committee". I don't find it surprising at all that the three guys I mentioned (who are unquestionably among the top bloggers for the sport) have all been critical of Eklund and the way he goes about his business.
Eklund reports rumours. In the world of hockey writing, that's pretty much tabloid coverage. Sure, it's entertaining for some, but for as many Nicole Richie pregnancies and Ryan Smyth trades, we have just as many Hitler's Alive in the Arctic and Selanne to sign with the Flyers. Hey, Eklund has done a great job at marketing himself and I don't doubt between the subscribers and the advertisements and the other tie-ins that he might have even made a decent amount of cash off of this venture. I'm in no position to give advice to aspiring writers, but I guess it's just personal preference on what path is the one to follow.
Eklund basically summed up how seriously he should be taken when, at the end of the article, he classified himself as an "entertainer."
That's how I view the guy. I don't go to HockeyBuzz, and this will be the first and probably only time I'll comment on Eklund, but the guy is what he is - a popular figure who makes his living spreading rumors, the bulk of which many of you are only too glad to help circulate, even as you put him down. It doesn't matter how accurate he is as long as he is a central figure in any rumor conversation. And on HFBoards he is a celebrity. You people pass his info along, talk about him at length and generally help ensure his market. He's like Paris Hilton in that nobody seems to like him, but everyone talks about him and can't get enough of the juicy gossip. He knows this, and he fills his niche perfectly. I've got no opinion one way or another about the man, but I don't like to waste my time with idle rumors, the vast majority of which prove to be nothing. If you feel the same way, do what I do and stop talking about him.
I don't like him and his rumour-mongering, I think most of the stuff he "reports" is completely made up, don't even get me started on that Sportsnet findangle, where 1 in 30 of his rumours may have turned out true. I really don't understand the people who pay for his site and why they would, I really don't get this whole "mystique" he's created for himself. Even just looking on the forums on his site, one of the labels for a board says "And Eklund might even stop by". Who does this guy think he is?
I think the sooner the internet pays less attention to this fool the better.
it's just sad how, some random guy, who's great at making up lies, can lie their way into what he is now.
he's gotten from a nobody, to somebody, he probably now has access to games, and real contacts with agents and organizations, because they all thought he was a real deal.
there's no way to refute him now as to being someone connected with the NHL, but it's just stupid.
Hes in a unique position.
Making money off Hockey Rumors & "possible deals"& making it a somewhat sucessful business.
Something plenty of us wouldnt have minded to do if we could.
Here's an idea....lets stop introducing topics with him in them to the forums......
There is no way for us to confirm whether his "sources" are legitimate or flights of fancy.Until this changes, they should be treated as the latter.
I mean if any of the rest of us started mentioning trades as "distinct possibilities" we would probably be shot down.
As long as the thread titles mentions Eklund, there’s no reason not to start them. If people don’t like him or don’t believe anything from him, they can simply avoid the thread. If people can post trade proposals to generate discussion on the trade board, no reason not to post Eklund rumors as well. In the end, both are just topics to discuss – it’s not like the forum is limited to verifiable rumors. I think most people on these boards take what Eklund has to say with a huge grain of salt anyway.
That's how I view the guy. I don't go to HockeyBuzz, and this will be the first and probably only time I'll comment on Eklund, but the guy is what he is - a popular figure who makes his living spreading rumors, the bulk of which many of you are only too glad to help circulate, even as you put him down. It doesn't matter how accurate he is as long as he is a central figure in any rumor conversation. And on HFBoards he is a celebrity. You people pass his info along, talk about him at length and generally help ensure his market. He's like Paris Hilton in that nobody seems to like him, but everyone talks about him and can't get enough of the juicy gossip. He knows this, and he fills his niche perfectly. I've got no opinion one way or another about the man, but I don't like to waste my time with idle rumors, the vast majority of which prove to be nothing. If you feel the same way, do what I do and stop talking about him.
Edit: What Kevin said about tabloids. Perfect.
__________________
"Take the next step. To get there, we must not allow other people's limited perception to define us."
The name Eklund has been well-known to the online hockey fan community since the lockout, when the "anonymous hockey blogger" burst onto the scene with a site that became a clearinghouse of hot stove innuendo and power-circle whispers. Now the lead blogger and man-without-a-face for HockeyBuzz.com, Eklund did something last month that he has not done since the early days of his extremely popular blog: He inserted himself into a major story. Eklund took up the fight for Nashville Predators fans in their staggering battle against relocation; flying in to attend a fan rally and getting up in front of the crowd -- in disguise, naturally -- to offer words of encouragement.
Last edited by Calgary Highlander: 08-04-2007 at 06:53 AM.
