Blogger’s note: wE aRe NoT aLwAyS gOiNg To AgReE…And that’s normal

There are hundreds and hundreds of readers of this little blog, and hundreds and hundreds of you probably disagree with something that I say on a daily basis.

We’ve had our disagreements throughout the course of this blog, and I have yet to receive a note from a reader–or, specifically speaking, readers who help financially support the blog–that has asked me to only write things they agree with, or to steer clear of topics where they know that we might have dissent.

Instead, I receive the occasional, “And sometimes I disagree with your opinion, but I respect our differences” or even an, “Sometimes you drive me crazy, but I support the blog.”

That’s normal and healthy. I didn’t start this blog–or restart it multiple times–to simply write what I knew my readers were going to agree with.

And as we start a new NHL season with some new controversies, be they Dylan Larkin’s injury, Tyler Bertuzzi’s vaccination status, or Filip Zadina’s “midget” remark, I’m not going to tailor my observations toward what I estimate to be the most popular response.

That’s not how blogs work, and, specifically speaking, that’s not how this blog works. There aren’t any commercials on this blog, and you’re free to enjoy it (and maybe sometimes be infuriated by it) without any paywalls or ads. I want to continue on that path for as long as I possibly can, because that’s exactly the kind of place on the internet I believe is lacking in the hockey world.

But a place without any disagreement is no fun. A place without disagreement isn’t realistic. And when it comes to a subjectively-viewed game and the analysis thereof, in terms of both on-ice and off-ice issues, we’re simply not going to agree all the time, especially when the off-ice issues surround differences of opinion that we’re both passionate about.

I’m not asking you to agree with me. And, hell, I’m not asking you to give me the respect that providing a product mostly for free should merit. I’m asking you to understand that I’m going to continue to have my opinions, and that I’m going to “go there” when the easier route is to just shut up and report the news without any analysis.

That’s not the Malik Report (and we don’t capitalize the “The” here). If you don’t enjoy occasionally reading things that you’re going to disagree with, dear Gord, man, there are hundreds of Wings blogs out there. Disagree politely, or go find another blog that bends like a pretzel to avoid discussing any sort of controversial topic in a caring manner.

In the interim, I value your readership, your time, your opinions and your health, and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, and that you survive and thrive in the work week ahead.