CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Barry Petchesky

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: David Rittich #33 of the Toronto Maple Leafs protects the corner against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Rittich

David Rittich Forgot He Blue Himself

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 16: Taylor Hall #4 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 16, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Bruins Got Taylor Hall For A Song

DENVER, CO - APRIL 2: Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after giving up a two run home run to Ryan McMahon of the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning at Coors Field on April 2, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Trevor Bauer Did This To Himself

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 08: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets celebrates after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on April 08, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

I Can’t Believe This Didn’t Happen TO The Mets

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 7: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is congratulated by teammate Auston Matthews #34 for breaking the consecutive win record for a Leaf against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jack Campbell; Auston Matthews

Jack Campbell Can’t Lose

How’s Your Lipreading?

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 26: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres congratulates Linus Ullmark #35 after beating the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center on January 26 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)

The Sabres Are Winners

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 18: Buffalo Sabres interim head coach Don Granato (left) and assistant coach Matt Ellis behind the bench during the game against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center on March 18, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)

Give The Sabres The Stanley Cup Of Finding A Way To Lose

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 25: Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils tends the net against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena on March 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Ooooh, Jack Edwards Is Mad

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson pitches against the Florida Marlins during the second inning 23 April 2001 in Phoenix. AFP Photo/Mike FIALA (Photo by Mike FIALA / AFP) (Photo by MIKE FIALA/AFP via Getty Images)

Randy Johnson Killing That Bird Deserves An Asterisk

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 22: The New York Rangers celebrate a second period goal by Kaapo Kakko #24 against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on March 22, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Oh, THERE’S Kaapo Kakko

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 21: Jacob Young #42 and Myles Johnson #15 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights react after being defeated by the Houston Cougars 63-60 in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

College Basketball

Rutgers Learned What It’s Like To Get Its Hopes Up

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 15: Sam Reinhart #23 of the Buffalo Sabres before the game against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center on February 15, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)

This Is Rock Bottom

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 22: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs stretches during the warm-up prior to playing against the Calgary Flames in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 22, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 3-0. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews, Good Lord

Defector Up All Night

Canucks Ice Guy Has Moves

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 01: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers looks on during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on February 01, 2021 in New York City. This is Artemi Panarin's 400th NHL game. The Rangers won 3-1. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Let’s Try To Untangle This Artemi Panarin News

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 02: Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer #47 of the Cleveland Indians watches from the dugout after leaving the game during the 7th inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 02, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Trevor Bauer, In More And Somehow Even Dumber Words: All Lives Matter

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 20: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts following a call during the fourth quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 20, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Draymond Green Didn’t Stick Around To Get Buzzer-Beaten

STATELINE, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 20: The Vegas Golden Knights skate against the Colorado Avalanche during the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort on February 20, 2021 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Sun Is Undefeated

Sports Highlight Of The Day

The Sports Highlight Of The Day Is: Boat

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres reacts after taking a strike during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park on September 14, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Fernando Tatis Jr. Makes It Obvious

Dutch skater Henk Angenent (C/red/black) is followed by others as he glides across ice on a canal at Hindeloopen on February 14, 2021, as he attempts the 'Elfstedentocht' in the Netherlands' province of Friesland. - Angenent a farmer, who was winner of the last edition of the 'Elfstedentocht' in 1997, which is an organised 200-kilometre skating tour along the 11 Frisian towns and has been adapted to comly with restrictions as part of the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. (Photo by ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Life's Rich Pageant

We Have Been Deprived Of The Elfstedentocht For Far Too Long

Patrick Mahomes Never Had A Chance

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 19: Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the first inning of game two of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Media Meltdowns

Bob! Bob. Hey Bob. Bob, C’mon. Bob? UPDATE: BOB!!!

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 26: Tony DeAngelo #77 of the New York Rangers during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on January 26 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)