The NHL All-Star ballot came out today. Much to my surprise (insert sarcasm), Sydney Crosby was on the list... despite having not played a single NHL game this season.
First and foremost, the players that are placed on the All-Star ballot are players that are having a good season up to this point. Keep that in mind as this blog progresses.
I find this strange, that Crosby is on the ballot, and unfair for numerous players in the NHL. I understand that Crosby is the so called poster boy of the NHL. I also understand that he is a VERY good hockey player. Any other year, I would say put him on the all-star ballot without hesitation. However, this year is completely different.
Crosby is injured. He has not played a game at all this season. I don’t care that he hasn’t played all of last season. The All-Star game is meant for the current season. He has done nothing to deserve a spot on the NHL ballot this season. I’ll make a comparison to Tim Connolly for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He hasn’t played a single game this season either, why isn’t he on the All-Star ballot? Connolly could be having the year of his career, but he’s hurt, just like Crosby.
Crosby is solely on the ballot due to his performance in previous seasons. I understand that he would normally deserve a spot on the ballot. But anyone else (with the exception of Ovechkin) who would be injured up to this point in the season and not played in any games, would not be on the all-star ballot.
We can’t assume that Crosby would be having an all-star caliber season. If we’re going to assume that, assume it for every injured player right now who hasn’t played, and isn’t on the ballot. Odds are that Crosby would be having a good season, but he’s NOT. It’s not fair to the players who are having a good year, and won’t even be considered just because of the name “Sydney Crosby” is on the ballot.
All players in the NHL should be treated equally. Crosby, a great player, has not earned his spot on the ballot this season. When picking a player, pick someone who deserves a spot on the roster this year, not someone who is just a name, who hasn’t played 1 minute this NHL season.
Connolly played this season.
what about brodeur and luongo being on the ballot despite brutal play this year
I bet there are a lot of People (not full time fans) that voted cause he's there , and dont even know crosby hasn't played yet and even injured.
My bad on Connolly... but still... The point is the same... As for Brodeur and Luongo, fans can actually look at the stats... they are playing, and can make decisions based on the stats... Crosby, no stats, he hasn't played, and doesn't deserve to be on the ballot.
Sorry, I stopped reading after you misspelled Sidney.
I'm a Ranger fan. Marc Staal, despite not having played a game this season, is on the ballot.Dan Girardi, who has played over 28 minutes a night against other teams top lines and has generally shut them down, is not.
dallas stars leading the way agin lol
Message Posted dallas stars are the best team in the nhl
Hell man, even Miller
Reimer on the ballot is rediculous considering Howard, Niemi, Backstrom, and Crawford aren't on it. I get the "Toronto market" stuff but the guy has played half a season. Niemi has a cup and had great stats last year, backstrom has great numbers every year, Howard has at least played a few full seasons.
Miller and Myers are on there and theyve both been sub par this year too.
Allstar games in every sport long have been about who fans want to see, not necessarily who deserves it. Crosby won't play in it so you don't have to worry but he will put his best PR foot forward and still make the media rounds and not complain.
My bad on the "Sidney" spelling, when you have a niece named Sydney... you get used to spelling it that way. I agree as a whole that numerous players are on the ballot that shouldn't be. Crosby is just the headliner. As a devout Sabres fan, I don't think Miller or Myers should be on the ballot, as well as many other players throughout the league.
If you're going to allow fan voting, then you're already committing to a popularity contest for the top six. Besides, the game itself is for sponsors and kids, not serious fans (or even really the players themselves). I say let them see who they want to see, and not worry too much about "fairness." There are much more important things to worry about.
I hate all star games. Pointless exhibitions.