The Players' Tribune "a very cool concept," says New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist
Could New York Rangers star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist be the first active NHL player to contribute to Derek Jeter's five-week old online publication The Players' Tribune?
"It's a new time when it comes to the news and the news flow...we've been in discussions, I think it's a very cool concept," said Lundqvist to Eh Game after the Rangers' 5-4 loss in Toronto on Saturday. "Right now it's not a good fit -- but you never know."
Jeter, who spent his entire 20-season career with the New York Yankees, launched the site on Oct. 1, less than a week after retiring from baseball.
His aim is to create a platform for athletes to directly share their thoughts and opinions with the masses.
Essentially, cut out the middleman -- the potentially word-twisting, angle-driven journalist.
"I realize I’ve been guarded. I learned early on in New York, the toughest media environment in sports, that just because a reporter asks you a question doesn’t mean you have to answer. I attribute much of my success in New York to my ability to understand and avoid unnecessary distractions...
...We all have emotions. We just need to be sure our thoughts will come across the way we intend.
So I’m in the process of building a place where athletes have the tools they need to share what they really think and feel. We want to have a way to connect directly with our fans, with no filter." (Derek Jeter, The Players' Tribune, 10/01/14)
When considering Jeter's intent, it seems that Lundqivst might be the best-suited NHL player to contribute given his stature in the sport and the fact that he plays in the same ravenous media market that the former shortstop did.
However, for the time being, he remains hesitent.
"Right now, it's tough," he said. "I'm going to talk to the media everyday so it's a more complicated situation."
On Thursday, Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan posted a "Letter To My Younger Self", the first in a new series for The Players' Tribune where 20-20 hindsight is the theme.
It was a light-hearted piece and strayed away from the heavier topics that have been covered by NFL and NBA athletes as well as race-car driver Danica Patrick.
So far the posts have been released on a weekly basis and senior editors - the title given to the majority of athlete writers - include marquee names such as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson who wrote about bullying and domestic violence. In another installment, LA Clippers power forward Blake Griffin offered his thoughts on the disgraced former owner of the franchise, Donald Sterling.
As for the NHL's biggest star -- when asked about The Players' Tribune last month in Toronto -- Sidney Crosby told Eh Game that he had heard of the publication but had not been approached to write for it.
A new article is slated to be published later this month. The date has yet to be announced.
Follow Neil Acharya on Twitter: @Neil_Acharya