With all the free agents flying around signing deals on this first day of free agency, it’s easy to forget that there are lesser players still looking for a job. Many people, not just hockey players, are using social media as a tool to network. Those with plenty of followers and contacts are working that to their advantage.
So enter Paul Bissonnette. He needs a job. And you can call him something of a Twitter legend as he has over 721,000 followers on the second incarnation of his “Biz Nasty” account. So why not use those social media skills to network and get himself a job, right? Bissonnette, late of the Ontario Reign of the AHL, is doing just that while giving us an “inside look” at what a player goes through during this crazy time.
This is usually how it goes. All the big dogs go right away. Role players to follow. Not gonna panic. Stay the course. #NHLFreeagency
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
Missed call from a Pennsylvania number. Looks like Pens want a repeat. I'll give it an hour to call back. Make Jim sweat a bit.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
Called em back. Wasn't Jim. Telemarketer. Had a great conversation about what I could bring to the table. Always keep your options open.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
With that option snuffed out, it was time for Paul to get aggressive.
I still have the same number and email @brendanshanahan. Haven't changed it from 12 years. Unless you didn't back up with iCloud.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
So that didn’t work. But Bissonnette knows it’s all part of the game.
This is all my camp has been offered so far. Gonna circle back & talk to all the teams. I'll keep u guys in the loop pic.twitter.com/MkKp2gJmQB
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
The biggest thing is making GM's feel like you have multiple offers. Never come off as desperate. Play with their emotions. #NHLFreeagency
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
It was time to go back and work his contacts with the Penguins.
Thought Pittsburgh was out but talks have resurfaced. pic.twitter.com/VoDDA17IB4
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
Salt in apple juice?
We’re getting sidetracked. How is Toronto looking?
Toronto's officially out. #NHLFreeagency pic.twitter.com/QSdxbjDsxJ
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
Well, Sad Canada Day so far for Bissonnette. But he shouldn’t panic, he signed with the Reign on July 8th last season, so there is plenty more marketing to go before he thinks about a career change. And if he does, we know he has a future in social media marketing as he knows not only about laying hits, but laughs as well.
