All-Star Game Fail!
By Eric Rosenhek
I really want to know what kind of narcotic the National Hockey League’s Board of Governors has been smoking lately.
A school-yard themed All-star game? Are you kidding me?!
Does the NHL really think the all-star game will generate interest if two opposing captains are “drafting” teammates from a list generated by fan voting? Was this concept actually the best option the league could come up with?
This format is simply childish, because only children (and maybe some lazy adults) would use such a method to determine teams. It also destroys the allure of the all-star game.
The point of all-star games is to pit the best of one side against the best of the other. East vs. west… North vs. South.
Us against them.
This new format dilutes the competition and turns the whole event into a pickup game of shinny. The crowd in Raleigh, North Carolina won’t know who to cheer for, and unless Ric Flair shows up, they’re going to be very quiet.
If the NHL wants the all-star game to be a success, then it needs to give fans a reason to watch the match and a reason for players to take it seriously. With that in mind, here are three better options the NHL should consider:
1. Bring back the Challenge Cup
In 1979 and 1987, the NHL chose to forgo the all-star game and organized an exhibition series instead. These matches featured a team of NHL stars taking on the Soviet Union’s national team. At stake was a trophy known as the Challenge Cup (only used for the ’79 series) and of course, bragging rights.
This “us against them” model was successful and there’s no reason why the NHL shouldn’t bring it back. The USSR doesn’t exist, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t outside competition. How about the NHL vs. the KHL or the Swedish Elite League or SM-liiga from Finland?
Fans would certainly come out and cheer on the NHL and the players would treat such a match more seriously. Nobody on any NHL all-star roster would want to get beaten and embarrassed by players from other leagues.
2. International Flavour
From the late 90s to early 2000s, the all-star game featured team North America against team World. I loved this concept and could not understand why the NHL wanted to abandon it.
The league should seriously consider bringing this format back. They can even tweak it a bit. For example, at the 2012 game in Ottawa, the top Canadian NHLers faceoff against international NHLers. The following year – assuming it’s hosted by an American team – team USA against the world.
This would be an instant hit with fans and players. There’s nothing more inspiring than some good old fashion patriotism.
3. Home-ice at stake
I love baseball’s all-star game for two reasons.
First, it’s hard to “mail-it-in” in baseball. Second, there’s something at stake for the winning side: home-field advantage for the World Series.
It’s a brilliant concept and it’s one the NHL should adopt. Have the Eastern and Western Conferences square off, with the winning conference getting home-ice advantage for the Stanley Cup Final.
Players will not coast if they know the result could affect the playoffs. And as we were all reminded last season, anything can happen in the playoffs. Therefore, you can definitely expect a more spirited affair.
Unfortunately, the all-star game has become a circus, filled with glowing pucks and ridiculously high scores. But there have been times when the game would have enourmous significance. Such importance can be regained. Sadly though, the NHL is using a method that will make the game even more of a joke.
All the league needs to do is give the players a reason not to coast. Sweeten the pot. Put something at stake. Make them want to play with full intensity.
In addition, the NHL needs to change the fans’ mindset. Fans will watch the game. But they won’t invest any emotion. Just like the players, the fans will coast too. So the league must inspire excitement.
Yet it seems the NHL is happy with a game of lifeless shinny.
