The NHL doesn't learn

[Echolalia 2,961]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=404616

We get the privilege of cheating the voting system again with text-messaging. That pretty much leaves Crosby and Kane fighting for the championship.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

If the NHL wasn't trying to market the All Star game as "the best players from both conferences going head to head", I wouldn't really have a problem with it. But it's not a talent contest - it's a popularity contest.

If they want to have fan participation - that's fine. But at the very least, they should have a committee who has the final say.

EDIT: OR fans should only be able to vote once. Crosby has talent - there's no denying that - but Bettman trying to force him as the face of the NHL is just irritating.

Edited January 16, 2009 by Ms_Hockey

[TheOwl 77]

It's a meaningless event at the skill competition at least. Here's a good idea, let the other all-star players not taking part in the Breakaway challenge pick the winner. At least their not inherently biased and actually know what's difficult and what's not.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I liked the celebrity judge panel personally. Even if these people have no clue what hockey is, it brings their endorsement and thus more support.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Haha. With the way Pavel's been playing lately (assuming nothing he did in breakaway/shootout situations before mattered) they still didn't pick him? I'd rather face Crosby on a break away than Datsyuk. Datsyuk is absolutely lethal in shootouts and break aways. Crosby's not even the best break away player on his team. Crosby is most lethal when when he's using his team mates as his weapons (not that Datsyuk is bad at that).

I just find it bizzare that someone who gained their fame among the average NHL fan because of the youtube videos of their dekes and toe drags isn't being showcased for that.