Originally posted by jrg:w/ this new All-Star game stuff
This game's almost as big a piece of crap as the NFL All Pro game. Not a lot of guys really want to play in it, it's just not hockey in it's most entertaining form, and for the most part the TV audience is disinterested. Who could blame them?
If they want to make it good again, they have to make it worth something to the players and the fans, similar to what baseball has done with their game. I'm not sure how they would go about it, or if it would really even matter to the players. The hockey season is entirely too long as it is and there just isn't a good time to ever play this game as a full contact sport IMHO.
I think they should just do away with the game itself and just go with the skills competition. Maybe couple the AHL skills competition with the NHL's and make it a 2 day event. If they want to have a game, maybe they could bring in junior league all stars or something. They need players who actually give a sh*t about the game (and their game bonus) enough to play it the right way, cuz the big leaguers sure as hell don't; nor should they.
If I had it my way, I'd make it into a celebration of hockey at every level instead of just focusing on the pro's. I think that would be more entertaining and beneficial for everybody involved. Putting on a proper showcase of hockey (like this one could be), would definitely help grow the game in the US. If hockey could wrestle even 1% of the talent pool away from football, baseball and basketball, that seemingly small influx of talent would surely help solidify hockeys future in some of the southern markets that aren't doing so well.
[ Edited by NatralBrnThrila on Jan 13, 2011 at 8:58 AM ]
