So before I give my take here as I did on my show “Top Shelf” last Wednesday, on Bruins winger Brad Marchand ripping the media on the day of his team’s season opener for trade rumors surrounding him over the summer and also giving his opinion on the NHL’s new embellishment rule after being the first player NHL referees enforced it on, I’d like to commend Marchand and other athletes who aren’t afraid to tell it like they see it.

That being said there’s a difference between speaking your mind and coming off as a Prima Donna and a whiner. Throughout the first week of this young NHL season and at other times in his career, that’s exactly how Marchand has come off. All the “little ball of hate” needed last week was some fine cheese for his whine. Being upset about trade rumors involving him and expressing such frustration is only natural. But actually challenging the reporters that wrote them as well as calling for their jobs, is another.

-James Murphyof XN Sports where you can read more on this topic.