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

Australian Football

Better Hate An Owner

Bowling

Chess

Climbing

Cricket

Curling

Cycling

Darts

Death To The NCAA

Disc Sports

Gaelic Football

Gambling

Golf

High School Sports

Horse Racing

Hurling

Infinite Replay

Jamboroo

Lacrosse

Olympics

Parasports

Pro Softball

Pro Wrestling

Racing

Rugby

Running

Skateboarding

Soccer

Sports Highlight Of The Day

Tennis

The Fights

The Great Outdoors

Volleyball

Why Your Team Sucks

Wings Week

Sports

Lauren Theisen

Travis Dermott Made The NHL Blink

Ray Ratto

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 20: Toronto Maple Leafs center David Kampf (64) and Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) await the puck drop on the face off during the second period of game two in the Eastern Conference First Round between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 20, 2023, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Gavin Napier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It’s Time For Hockey Until Your Eyes Bleed

Barry Petchesky

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 11: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers looks onto the ice dejected during the second period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena October 11, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

It’s Safe To Say That’s Not The Start Edmonton Wanted

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 7: Players from the Tampa Bay Lightning skate during warmups with special hockey tape for Pride Night against the Philadelphia Flyers at Amalie Arena on March 7, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

The NHL Skates Backward

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 05: William Carrier #28 of the Vegas Golden Knights shoots the puck during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Edits by Defector to put the logo on the boards

Something Old, Something New: You Can Borrow My NHL Preview

Dave McKenna

New York Knicks and Rangers owner James Dolan, looking like a big sad baby at a microphone

Hey James Dolan: Quit Your Job

COLUMBUS, OHIO - JULY 01: Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Mike Babcock addresses member of the media during a press conference at Nationwide Arena on July 01, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

Mike Babcock Had To Go After All

We’ve Found The One Thing Mike Babcock Might Be Innocent Of

<p>Hesse Deni is a podcaster and screenwriter from Buffalo, New York currently living in Manhattan. Her podcast is called <em>Seeking Derangement</em>s and is available on all major platforms.</p>


Hesse Deni

Veteran broadcasters Harry Neale (left) and Rick Jeanneret (right) of the Buffalo Sabres get ready for their game

Rick Jeanneret’s Voice Gave Buffalo Hope

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 25: Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks speaks with the media at the 2023 NHL Awards player availability at the Bridgestone Arena on June 25, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Erik Karlsson Had To Go

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 30: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins hugs Brad Marchand #63 before exiting the ice after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Patrice Bergeron Was Unhateable

Samer Kalaf

Media Meltdowns

Flyers Staffers Forget To Mute Themselves Talking Shit About Reporter’s Question

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 26: Connor McDavid poses with the Ted Lindsay Award, The Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy at the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Give Me Weirdo Votes Over Unanimity Every Time

Tom Ley

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 13: in Game Five of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The NHL Scurries Away From Its Pride Night Problem

14 Feb 1993: Leftwinger Alexander Mogilny of the Buffalo Sabres moves the puck during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

Alexander Mogilny Is Hockey History Even If The Hall Of Fame Doesn’t Think So

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 13: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers sits in the crease after Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights scored an empty-net hat trick goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game Five of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Just Pull The Goalie Earlier Next Time

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - June 13: &lt;&gt; at T-Mobile Arena on June 13, {year6} in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Zak Krill/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Whole Ice Belongs To Mark Stone

The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate with the Stanley Cup

Vegas Was Built Like A Champion

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 08: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers scores a goal past Adin Hill #33 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period in Game Three of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at FLA Live Arena on June 08, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

There’s Life In The Old Cat Yet

Brett Howden scores against Sergei Bobrovsky

Some Goalies Just Can’t Handle Vegas

Linesman Jonny Murray separates Nicolas Hague #14 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers during a fight

Vegas Will Tolerate No Rats In The Cup

The Stars Failed To Show Up

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 27: Adin Hill #33 of the Vegas Golden Knights watches Shea Theodore #27 of the Golden Knights knock the puck behind the net as he defends against Radek Faksa #12 and Fredrik Olofsson #42 of the Dallas Stars in the first period of Game Five of the Western Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 27, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Stars defeated the Golden Knights 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Bruce Cassidy Is So Mad About The Golden Knights’ Effort, The Damn Coyotes Are Catching Strays

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 25: Joe Pavelski #16 of the Dallas Stars celebrates a game-winning power play goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during overtime in Game Four of the Western Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 25, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

I Live In A Joe Pavelski Household Now

The Panthers celebrate while Jordan Staal looks on

NHL