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Canada, AB • Canada •
Listen, There is not even an argument that the first team all Stars should not be first team all stars. It used to mean something to be selected to the starting team, now it means that Montreal fans spend more on texting than Detroit fans.

If you, as a fan that stuffed the box, can really tell me that Toews deserves the starting center over Thornton then I would also assume you think the world is flat. Iginla is the best Winger in the west, bias aside just check the stats! Kipper has more wins with the most shots against in the west...

I could go through the East as well but it's not worth it. Here's why. I'm just going to say what everyone thinks. The All Star game is crap hockey and no one cares. No Hitting?? Then it's not hockey is it?

The Skills competition is fun to watch for what it's worth, I think the NHL could probably do a lot more with the trick shot competition for sure. Instead of a goalie have targets with points or something? Fastest Skater, Hardest shot are staples that are interesting and worth a chuckle but the game... the game is trash.

In my not so humble opinion the NHL needs to name it's own All Stars, if they want to have fan involvement have ten players they can pick one of and have it set up like a poll on their website. The players often get "injured" before the game because they don't want to go, they don't care and they'd rather rest, that should be a big indicator to the NHL that the all Star Game should be held Post Season or even not at all. One idea I heard was having a skills competition with the all stars from the World Junior Championship and calling it a day, that would certainly be a little entertaining!

The All Star game is meant to show case the NHL's best, even if they weren't named to the first team most will still be there but when they play a meaningless game in an uninspired way it doesn't showcase anything to an American Audience that is, in all honesty, already uncaring.

S>O>
Filed Under:   NHL   Flames   Iginla  
January 6, 2009 3:34 PM ET | Delete
the skills competition with the WJC sounds really cool. I am in so much shock how little votes Zach Parise got.
January 6, 2009 4:15 PM ET | Delete
thank you saneopion for that insane comment about the american audience boy that will get us caring more. i am from tn and i love hockey. Maybe you need to pull your head out of the sand and see that not all of us nasty americans are uncaring. your kind of talk kills me it is the kind of stuff like racism is ignorance
January 6, 2009 4:51 PM ET | Delete
Okay bryjes1..I know there is American Hockey fans, I was just in america and you know how much hockey was on TV? NONE, would you like me to let you know why? Not enough people there like it. It's not well marketed and doesn't appeal to large audience. The last time the playoffs were on the cosby show re-runs were pulling better ratings so before you go and call ignorance on me check your facts.
January 6, 2009 4:54 PM ET | Delete
cosby show reruns lol
January 6, 2009 4:54 PM ET | Delete
P.S. Our radio guy in Chicago, which is a great hockey city, said the world Junior chanpionship was not even on although the Americans were playing... Go Titans!
January 6, 2009 5:06 PM ET | Delete
I agree actually. I love hockey. I love the Avalanche. Still hockey I can see why a lot of Americans don't get hockey. The All Star game is a great reason. Kane and Toews are great, but are they better than Iginla? Hockey does not seem nearly as inclusive as other sports. There are times were I feel on the outside looking in. That is not the case with Football.
January 6, 2009 5:15 PM ET | Delete
that is one reason why i hate football because i think that the preds would have more of a fan base if the titans would have came about 5yrs after the preds instead of the next year. Go Ravens!
January 6, 2009 5:22 PM ET | Delete
I think you are missing the difference between the "fans", which clearly exist all over the country but specifically in huge numbers in certain markets, and the "media" which all but completely ignores hockey. The league is also at fault here. Don't trash the American fans for not caring, when it isn't our fault we can't get the WJC on television or get bombarded with the NBA by ESPN and the other irresponsible media outlets.
January 6, 2009 5:31 PM ET | Delete
First of all, anybody from America reading this blog is a hockey fan so no need to trash us on account of our countrymen. This whole Canadian superiorty is bullshit because it always revolves around hockey. There are other things in life that America is better at so just can the whole rivalry talk. Lets just enjoy the game we love together. Second of all, the All star game is not as unentertaining as you make it sound. yes, it isnt real hockey and its uninspired, but the creativity is great to watch. You never see that any other time, especially when the defense is playing hard. Its not meant to be a real game, its meant for a family/kids/new fan experience that is fun and showcases the game. Nobody goes to the ASG and screams their head off. Its is a slow down, fun enviroment game and cutting it out would be terrible.
January 6, 2009 5:43 PM ET | Delete
I wasn't trashing anybody! I said the American Audience is uncaring and I can show you ratings that prove it, I also said that I know there are american fans! I NEVER said Canada was superior, i certainly am not racist or ignorant and an All star weekend which is cool and inventive is an awesome idea, a bad game of hockey isn't.
January 6, 2009 6:16 PM ET | Delete
The all-star game is a complete and utter waste of time, energy, and money. I am a huge hockey fan and watch a game or 2 virtually everyday of the season, but that is one game I can confidently say I have not watched in at least 7 or 8 years. The skills competition is fun and draws me in, however, the big love fest/non contact pickup game leaves plenty to be desired. Should be a good weekend to install baseboard in the new rooms I am finishing in the basement.
January 6, 2009 6:42 PM ET | Delete
Saneopinion ... Dont blame the american fans for the games not being on TV in the US blame Gary Bettman!! If we really want the game to grow in the US then hockey needs to be back on ESPN. Since the lock-out the game is much more TV friendly and Im sure the ratings would go up. Dont count on NBC to bring hockey t
January 6, 2009 8:01 PM ET | Delete
tripleeeeObviously the american issue has eclipsed that of the intent of the blog which is to point out how brutal the all star game is, I will address the american issue tonight or tomorrow and let everyone have their say. I think though that hockey is not on NBC or ESPN because the ratings were not there before not because Gary failed to get a deal done where NBC wanted the NHL to pay them to air it!
January 6, 2009 8:24 PM ET | Delete
if you want to make the allstar game mean something then do what the MLB did...the winner gets home ice in the cup final, I know it's not traditional, but when baseball, the game that has the MOST tradition thinks outside the box...well the NHL can do it too. The whole WJC thing isn't even worth doing, what it comes down to is having the right players at the allstar game/skills competition. There are tonnes of PRO's who have skills, but never do get to show them off. The trick shot was a waste of time last year... If the players pulled out the bag of tricks during the breakaway relay from years past it would be more entertaining.
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