The NHL all-star game occurred this past weekend in San Jose, the event was great, but per usual not very memorable. The NHL has done a great job trying to make the event more fun and more interesting for the fans but with an entire weekend taken out of the NHL schedule is it worth it?
Only the best of the best players play in the weekend getaway game, however is that who fans want in the all star game? Everyone says that the all star game is for the fans, well fans want stars, they want the players with personalities and the fan favorites, which are not always the top players in the NHL. Just a few years ago the NHL let players vote in a considerably large amount of the team, this year it was only the last skater the fans of the NHL were allowed to vote for. If the NHL wants to make the event more memorable and fun they need to let the fans vote for who is playing in the event. Seeing Patrick Marleau skate in an all star game in San Jose would have certainly been interesting, or seeing fan favorites like Phil Kessel face off against young Patrick Laine in the sharp shooter competition would have been fun. If it is true that the NHL wants to make the all star game something for the fans they need to make it for the fans by the fans, which brings up the past.
Just a few short years ago the all star game was played between 2 full roster teams, with 5 on 5 action throughout. The game was less tacky and was just another game. Obviously the game had little meaning so there was no real hits and was played more like a beer league game at a local rink, but that doesn’t mean it was not fun. Having a full game gets players on the ice for longer increments of time, which allows fans to watch their favorite players for more time.
With little incentive for the winning team the all star game does not hold much meaning. I do not like the idea of the winning conference taking home ice in the Stanley Cup finals, but if that is what it is going to take for players to try then that needs to happen. The all star game has been going on for a long time, so why not honor some of the history.
Being a broadcaster at the NHL all star game often is a strenuous job, there is not much to talk about with much depth and often is just a job of keeping a conversation going while the players glide up and down the ice. Why not have some retired all stars broadcast the event? Imagine having Jeremy Roenick and Marian Hossa hosting the all star game, or past greats of Mike Madano and Joe Sakic. The past players that are utilized to host the event could be past greats from the franchise hosting the game. Although it is always great to hear Doc and Eddy up in the booth, why not just embrace the goofy side of the all star game and let former players host the event.
I believe that the all star game has a lot of work to do. However I do think it is a good idea, the NHL gave teams a buy either before or after the event so players are getting about a week off, even those who played in the weekend. The NHL is starting to work with the players not against them, which will be a good connection going into negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA. Many fans suspect a lockout is on the horizon in what could be even next season. So maybe giving the players what they want like a nice break during the all star weekend is something the NHL can use as a bargaining chip.
The playoffs are only a few months away, and with the trade deadline fastly approaching stay tuned for more articles coming up in Under The Lights.
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