NHL Gives Middle Finger to Digital Fans

Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reported on Tuesday that the “NHL is now not allowing anyone to post gifs. Huge news given playoffs are about to start.”

Well, yes, it would be. This news was fueled by the ever-present concern about how the NHL’s deal with Major League Baseball Advanced Media could lead to restrictions on fan-created media that we saw in baseball; and the curious absence of NHL GIF creator Stephanie Vail, who disappeared from Twitter last week. (Via Puck Daddy) 

There's a great deal of controversy in the land of social media when it comes to GIF's made from people sitting at home versus working for the team or the league. Stephanie Vail and Pete Blackburn are two of the more notable GIF-makers for NHL content, and both are completely wiped out off Twitter. Greg Wyshynski reported Vail didn't get banned yet Blackburn is surprising as he's a frequent Twitter user. Some believe he could be getting job with the NHL soon, and they're cleaning up his Twitter page yet who really knows.

This terrible timing for the league to enact a policy like this one. Better off waiting until the start of the year plus why draw the negative attention before the playoffs will start in a bound to be low-rated Stanley Cup Playoffs with no Canadian teams meaning that market will dry up.

For those who care, my Stanley Cup Finals predictions is... Anaheim Ducks-Washington Capitals. I had the Kings, but that's so damn chalky, I couldn't breathe.

Charlie.