I’m not gonna pigpile on the NHL for that debacle they called “All-Star Weekend”, as there have already been too many articles from far more capable “writers” than yours truly… but that sucked.
The new skills format on Friday was beyond jokes, and the “3×3 with four divisions” format has already worn out its welcome – and it’s only a few years old (since 2016). As of February 1, 2023 only 51 out of 803 NHL games this season have gone to the 3×3 format. Less than 7% of all NHL games play that format for more than 5 minutes. That’s what you’re trying to sell to the average NHL fan?
Shame on you for not having your finger on the pulse on the folks on the other side of the TV screen. Give me 5×5 with the best players in the World showcasing their talents, or cancel the game. If not, I’m not watching going forward and I hope everyone else joins in boycotting this friggin’ fiasco.
This is what happens when you (NHL) allow the almighty dollar to dictate how things run and get done. The NHL, like many other businesses, are in it for one thing, and one thing only: making as much money as humanly possible. I don’t blame them, but the cascade of boos has to be heard by the league over what they put out as a product and keep fiddling with.
Stolen Valor?
Clearly, no one from the NHL Marketing Team has ever played the game. If they had, these stupid ideas would have been shot down in the first boardroom they were brought up in. Was this a “Partner” involved change, i.e. Honda minions, ABC, Disney or the World Wide Leader ESPN? Who the fuck knows, but heads have to roll. Did you see the tweet from Zegras’ during Friday’s debauchery? When your own players are calling things out you know there is a major problem.
Who doesn’t like something new? New bike, car, golf clubs or Bauer twig – they’re all welcome. The new ideas this year, however, failed miserably.
“We get it, Killer, but what the hell do you suggest“? Funny you should ask….
Gauntlet of Goons
Have you ever seen, or are you at least familiar with, the concept of an NHL hockey fight? Almost everyone is standing and cheering loudly as they are all, and I quote Maximus here, “Entertained”. Obviously, the NHL will never bring fighting to the All-Star weekend, but they can incorporate aspects of it.
Remeber in 2016 when John Scott was voted into the game by the fans? Imagine if they had a bunch of Goons like Reeves, Deslauriers and others present… and former Goons stepping up to lay into him like a punching bag? Get those geeks from Sport Science to measure the punching power and show us what it looks like scientifically.
What about a dunk tank for current / former rats like Corey Perry, Brad Marchand, Steve Downie, Steve Ott, Patrick Kaleta, etc… Good way to raise funds for charity. Personally, I’d pay a few hundo to launch a couple of haymakers at Perry. He is by far the worlds biggest scumbag in the NHL, BTW. I put him right up there with Matt Cooke.
I should stop. Because lord knows the cheap pricks at NHL HQ will just steal my brilliant ideas and and call them their own. Suffice to say, things need to change, and I hope they do. If not, I will need something to do besides drink frustratedly.
Killer, if a van pulls up and takes you away, we’ll know it was the NHL. As for your take, I think it’s spot on. I don’t want to watch hockey players playing golf with hockey equipment any more than I want to see football players trying to catch water balloons like they were doing at their Pro Bowl. Why does sports marketing say I want to see an athlete of a particular genre doing something outside of their genre? I say, name your All Stars. Give the players that make the All Star team a check. Take the mandatory week off required by the NHLPA at the same time, and scrap this whole All Star game.