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Calgary, AB • Canada • 55 Years Old • Male
Anyone wonder why we have the All Star game? Really, do we watch it because of the intensity? Do we watch it for the great defensive play? Do we come to watch the players, the big names? Well, maybe if some show up for the game. Unfortunately, the big names are dropping out of the game left and right. In fact, it begs the question: why the heck are we having this game? Like, if the players do not want to play, why are we making the players play the game?

Well, the NHL management, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to force the players to come to wine and dine events, even if they can't play. Now I guess this rule has been in place for years, but the NHL has decided to enforce this rule. So who do they decided to embarrass, and which organization? Well of course the Stanley Cup Champions, the Detroit Red Wings. If that is not bad enough, the two players are Pavel Datsyuk and Mr. Noris Trophy Nicklas Lidstrom. Let me tell you about Mr. Lindstrom. He has attended ten straight All Star games in a row. Good job, NHL. Oh yeah, there is a troublemaker if you ever saw one. Oh, by the way, when Crosby catches a plane and makes the trip is when he found out about the rule. So we have Crosby hopping around from function to function with a chance of himself hurting his knee even more.

This really begs me to ask: What is the point? Yes, I understand the Wings were aware this was going to happen, and yes, the NHL warned everyone. But this is not new, this rule has been in place for years and never enforced ever before. Yet they decide to enforce this rule and enforce this rule on one of the most classiest players in the League.

This reminds me of one of those memories of my parents dragging me out to one of those family reunions, the ones you hate the most. Then they - the parents - inform you you are going and you are going to be happy about it. You know the ones I mean, the ones you have to have a smile painted on your face throughout the whole day. Then you come home with your face practically broken from that stupid smile on your face.

So why do we have an All Star game? Oh yeah, for the Fans. The ones who like all those touchdowns. Oh, I mean goals. Sorry about that! :-)

Flamestr
Filed Under:   Allstar game   Gaging reflex  
January 24, 2009 12:14 AM ET | Delete
I remember being excited about it as a kid. But these days, there doesn't seem to be many people interested in it...including me. The skills competition is mildly interesting...but the game itself? There's no question it has become a bit of a snoozefest. The players aren't interested. The fans generally don't seem interested. I definately think it's worth asking why we still have the All-Star game. The "Winter Classic" seems have stolen all of its thunder. If the All Star game disappeared...would we really miss it? [shrugs]
January 24, 2009 2:03 AM ET | Delete
I used to love the all-star game as a kid I have great memories of attending the practice when it was hosted in Calgary and getting Scott Stevens autograph. But I also think that it has lost its luster over the years.
January 24, 2009 10:51 AM ET | Delete
i think there are a few things that need to be tweaked with the all-star game.Mainly, it needs to be taken out of the regular season schedule (ie. like the NFL probowl). How costly could it be to a team that loses their STAR players due to a tweaked something or the other at the ASG. You also then don't have this stupid "star skipping out" business every year.I also think they should do the NA vs. World all-star format. There is something to play for there, an inherent competitiveness. the shootout competition should be basically exactly the same as the nba dunk competition, except that you get a score regardless of if the puck goes in, and a bonus tie-breaking point for attempts that actually beat the goalie. i don't want to see a boring shot, or forehand backhand deke that we see every shoot out. let the stars with the talent really display what makes them the best hockey players not only in the league, but on the planet.am an avid hockey fan, and have tried my best to buy/support as much of hte nhl as possible post lockout, hoping i can do my part to bring the nhl back to what it once was. That being said, I will probably not watch any ASG activities this weekend, and it's a shame.
January 25, 2009 5:53 PM ET | Delete
I would have to agree. A lot of Shark fans were complaining about not seeing the Sharks in there. I was quite please at one point. After all, with a season like this, who wants to blow it with a major player injured at the All Star Game? I would say eliminate it, or push it until after the season. Also, perhaps there should be a financial incentive from the league to show up and play well? Otherwise, it is a dog and pony show whcih is interesting at best and a joke at worst.
January 26, 2009 1:26 PM ET | Delete
asking to NHL to be consistent is like asking Amy Winehouse to be a nun
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