That's about as diplomatic as it can be put I guess, especially being aware of your friendship. As much time as I spent on SB Nation, it's disappointing. There was plenty of shit talked about our media back then before AJ got a press pass.
There was way more raw data, and facts in the blogs there than you'd usually get in the BS the DP put out.
They started out trying to do more clean analysis, better game recaps, and honest information instead of hot takes, than the sort of casual fan opinion influence articles lacking data Dater spat out on the regular. Then they freaking hired him.
The point is not if you agree or don't with someone's analysis of the information. It's that information sharing, and professionalism come first. That was the gripe with Dater, too much personal opinion bias in how and what he chose to write. Pretty much for the entire DP crew. You could just tell how little effort was put into running down the facts, or that things were just twisted towards a perspective that got clicks.
If they're going to stay in that niche, do drunk pods, and be loud about their opinions with now a bigger mic. Fine, not something I'm paying for though.
Just much prefer TMVs style of putting in the work and sharing the information with a bit of analysis, and observation. At least someone is sticking to that moniker that has a press pass these days.
Our media has just such a giant shit show of a history, whoever is asking the real questions needs to be professional or they'll just be dismissed by the team.
Fair unbiased professionalism based reporting with actually hockey knowledge in the bag has always been in short supply, or we get the Athletic trying to keep it so PC they hire someone that doesn't know the game well enough to really deep dive anything with any substance.
Props on your battle, it takes vigilance and perseverance to do anything like that.
