I think McCosky's attitude is representative of the media's attitude as a whole: They are entitled to what is otherwise privileged or classified information, and if they don't get the information to which they feel entitled, they shit their pants and cry about it. Even the newspaper in my podunk town acts like this with local politicians. It's ridiculous. I don't know what it is about a press badge that makes reporters feel as if they have a right to know everything all the time. And more often than not, people indulge reporters more than they have to not because it's a necessity but because it's personally and politically expedient to keep the press satisfied than to deal with a public relations quagmire if the reporters turn on them. If Babcock isn't giving McCosky what he wants, or if Babcock is gruff with him, so what? Dealing with people who don't always want to deal with you is part of a journalist's job description. Instead of using his column to wipe his tears, he should just grow a pair and get over it. He's not going to win points with anybody over this.

HOWEVER! Fret not, because everyone who drops jailsexed into the comments is certainly fighting the good fight and giving Rob and I ammo. Perhaps toward the end of the month, when we take submissions for next month's word, we'll put together a post that transcribes everyone's comments with "jailsexed" and "frolicking" in them, to raise awareness and thank everyone for their hard work in accomplishing our goal, and JJ's dream.

JAILSEXED. SWEET, FROLICKING JAILSEXED.

I hate this form of journalism by McCosky. He spends half an article accusing them of doing "convenient" and underhanded things, then spends the other half covering his own ass talking about how it's not really underhanded. I agree with the concept that I like the way this lets Maltby go out at least.

*Do comments count on your word total because I worked hard to get that in?

It's not deliberate tanking, just a recognition of when it is best to cut losses on a season and look ahead.

I'm sure if Detroit wasn't hit by so many injuries earlier in the season, Maltby might likely have opted for surgery earlier so that he would be fully recovered by the playoffs and ready to go then, but he could cope with it well enough to play and the team badly needed effective players in the lineup, so he took cortisone shots and sucked it up. Now the team is getting healthier, the need for Maltby in the lineup is less critical, and if he chooses surgery now he will be more likely fully recovered by the start of training camp next year and prepared to play again if there is a spot available for him. From Holland's comments it's pretty clear that the procedure needs to be done sometime – why not take advantage of the fact that he needs surgery to avoid waiving anyone to make salary cap space?

That isn't underhanded, it's smart asset management.

And I'm impressed by how forthcoming Babcock is with the media, actually. MacTavish was like that with the Oilers, too – pretty open in conversation, provided the question wasn't stupid or leading. He could have to deal with potty-mouth bully Tortorella.