All-Star Game format change being considered

[edicius 3,269]

So basically, the captains can choose all their buddies on the team if they want to?

That seems kind of unfair.

So the ASG could end up being...Pens vs. Caps? Ew.

[Guest ToMaToToWnWinGsFaN_24]

why cant the All-Star Game just go back to North America Vs The World. Hockey HAS been getting more and more Diverse since 2002..

[Grim 5]

ditch the allstar game altogether.

make the Winter Classic double-header the featured games. let the fans pick the representing teams.

[titanium2 867]

So we might see Datsyuk and Zetterberg against each other should they both make it. Hmmm... That's what I wanted to see in last year's Olympics but I guess the all-star game is a nice appetizer.

[skyphoenix 153]

Seems like an alright idea to me. I haven't really paid attention to past all-star games recently but I might this year just to see how the teams are "drafted".

[xtrememachine1 795]

What will the jerseys look like when there are no west vs east thingy?

One jersey will have a big Ovechkin face and the other will have a Crosby face.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

So, is this another attempt by the League to draw new fans to the game, or to frustrate the existing fan base?

[Guest mindfly]

I think, if ovechkin is one of the captains, that he will pick Datsyuk first, he knows from the national team and what an awesome passer he is

[ogreslayer 1,069]

I think it was LeBrun over on ESPN that said if Lidstrom isn't one of the captains, there will be something seriously wrong. Can't disagree with that.

His full tweet on the subject...

"If Nick Lidstrom (should he play) is not chosen as one of the all-star captains, I will cover the all-star game in my underwear."

For everyone's sake, I hope nobody has to see that...

Edited November 11, 2010 by ogreslayer

[Opie 308]

This got a lot of play on ESPN yesterday and a lot of people (including the PTI guys) were applauding the NHL for being aggressive and trying new things while other sports were clinging to the past and the history.

Not sure if Wilbon and Kornheiser approving is good or bad, seeing as they are such huge hockey fans!

[toby91_ca 620]

So basically, the captains can choose all their buddies on the team if they want to?

That seems kind of unfair.

They don't just get to pick anyone, they can only choose from the pool of 42 (40 I guess if you eliminate himself and the other captain) that were already selected as allstars.

[Guest mindfly]

Will they go with the rule that it has to be atleast one player from each team (among those 42players+rookies) or could there be teams without a player in the allstar game?

Wings should have 3 imo, Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg...

Edited November 11, 2010 by mindfly

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I for one think it's kind of cool...something different. I bet all of you critizing will be watching it

[eva unit zero 271]

why cant the All-Star Game just go back to North America Vs The World.

Because it sucked.

Possibly, but doubtful. I heard the 2 captains would be voted on by the group of 42 players selected to play in the game, those 2 will then draft their teams.

It's an interesting concept, but not all that different for the fans. All the players in the game are selected the same way, the only difference is what side each player will be playing on. Seems like more fun for the players vs. anything else. Not sure why that would be all that more interesting to the fans than simply East vs. West.

Because it will be more fun for the players, they will play harder. Instead of just floating for 45 seconds they will actually play hockey.

[edicius 3,269]

I for one think it's kind of cool...something different. I bet all of you critizing will be watching it

I fully intend on watching it...unless Ovechkin and Crosby are the captains.

And I'm an Ovechkin fan, but the whole league-manufactured rivalry involving the two of them is getting ridiculous.

[MacK_Attack 108]

So the ASG could end up being...Pens vs. Caps? Ew.

The NHL will provide the pool of players to pick from. It won't be like the captains can pick any player they want.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

I fully intend on watching it...unless Ovechkin and Crosby are the captains.

And I'm an Ovechkin fan, but the whole league-manufactured rivalry involving the two of them is getting ridiculous.

Washington and Pittsburgh had a rivalry before the two were drafted.

I would have loved to see an "Team Yzerman" vs. "Team Sakic" game. Two of the best captains of their time, on arguably the two most dominant teams of the time, with the greatest rivalry in the league at that time.

[Electrophile 3,554]

I for one think it's kind of cool...something different. I bet all of you critizing will be watching it

Nope.

[Opie 308]

Doc gives me an interesting idea,

What if each year 2 former Great Captains get to select their team based off of the fan voting of who is an all star.

Hell even let the fans vote for the former captains.

Team Yzerman v Team Sakic

Team Potvin v Team Messier

etc...

[Original-Six 254]

I hope neither Crosby or Ovechkin get voted as captain so theses scenarios don't play out. Which i can otherwise guarantee you they will.

A.) ZOMG Crosby is better because he got voted as a captain and Ovi didn't. Therefore he is better...derp derp derp..

B.) ZOMG Ovechkin is better because he got voted as a captain and Crosby didn't. Therefore he is better...derp derp derp..

C.) ZOMG Crosby is better because he drafted a better All-Star team than Ovechkin. Therefore he is better....derp derp derp

D.) ZOMG Ovechkin is because he drafted a better All-Star team than Crosby. Therefore he is better....derp derp derp

Edited November 11, 2010 by Original-Six

[titanium2 867]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2010/11/red_wings_nicklas_lidstrom_che.html

Datsyuk had a funny quote about the all-star game:

Another likely all-star, Pavel Datsyuk, was asked by an Edmonton TV reporter who he would pick first if he were named a captain.

"Maybe I take puck. It's always my best friend," Datsyuk said.

And then a line that won't make the league brass any happy:

He later added, "I'd pick half the team from the KHL."

[Yzerman191 37]

I think an NHL vs. KHL all-star game would be pretty neat. The NHL would obviously have more talent in their roster, but chemistry and group cohesion can go a long way in making a team competitive.

[edicius 3,269]

And then a line that won't make the league brass any happy:

I see a suspension coming...

[stevkrause 1,247]

I think an NHL vs. KHL all-star game would be pretty neat. The NHL would obviously have more talent in their roster, but chemistry and group cohesion can go a long way in making a team competitive.

Now THAT would be pretty cool... too bad there's way too much bad blood between the leagues for it to ever happen... hell I'd even like to see an AHL-KHL all star game, I think the talent pool in the AHL could take the KHL to be honest...

[titanium2 867]

Now THAT would be pretty cool... too bad there's way too much bad blood between the leagues for it to ever happen... hell I'd even like to see an AHL-KHL all star game, I think the talent pool in the AHL could take the KHL to be honest...

Maybe depends on the rink size.