Speculation, reporting are very different

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/06/2015 (3752 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For a textbook example of the importance of discerning between the reporting of facts and speculation, look no further than the ongoing saga of Kelly McCrimmon and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The National Hockey League team and the Brandon Wheat Kings owner/general manager/head coach have been linked ever since new Leafs coach Mike Babcock name-dropped McCrimmon in his introductory news conference. The rumour mill really began to churn when TSN analyst Bob McKenzie reported that the Maple Leafs had interviewed McCrimmon for a management position. His assertion was backed by others, including McKenzie’s TSN associate Darren Dreger, who went a step farther by declaring resolutely that the NHL team had offered McCrimmon a job and were waiting for a response. Dreger also reported that McCrimmon had spoken to Ryan McGill about potentially becoming his successor on the Brandon bench.

When it comes to the NHL, McKenzie and Dreger are as plugged-in as anyone in the media, and if they say these things have happened I believe them. While it’s always best to take information that comes from unnamed sources with a grain — or a whole shaker — of salt, they’re not ones to throw around such declarations lightly.

Where this story gained a life of its own was when observers such as Dreger provided their opinions on whether McCrimmon would join the Leafs. It didn’t take long for an opinion or two to blow up into premature reports that the deal was as good as done.

The consummation of a deal between McCrimmon and the Maple Leafs may very well be on the way, and if he’s going as far as interviewing potential coaches, it even seems likely. But McCrimmon is a man who plays his cards close to his chest and you can bet there are only a select few who really know how this will play out. Not one to conduct his business publicly, McCrimmon isn’t speaking and, should he turn down the offer, perhaps never will.

Still, it’s hard to keep anything completely quiet when you’re dealing with the Maple Leafs and their voracious following. Just think critically about the source of what you hear.

I’ve got a feeling we’ll know the truth soon enough.

FAREWELL FRANK: Friends and family will gather in the Wheat City today to pay tribute to Frank McKinnon, who passed away last week at the age of 80. The service is set for 3 p.m., at Central United Church.

McKinnon spent his final years in Calgary, but the native of Wellwood contributed enough to sport in Manitoba to fill many lifetimes as a member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, the Manitoba High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Brandon University Bobcats Hockey Hall of Fame, the Brandon University Sports Wall of Fame, two teams in the Manitoba Baseball Hall and two more teams in the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame. He was also invested into the Order of Canada earlier this year. Others remember McKinnon for his long career as an educator or for his passion for music.

Having gotten to know Frank while I was working at Hockey Manitoba and he was based out of the Back 40 of our office as the commissioner of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, I’ll remember his friendly demeanour and infectious smile. Frank loved the game, but what mattered to him the most were the people.

He will be missed.