Upon Further Review

the last thing the NHL should do is cancel such a historic event.

Maybe divy the teams up next year to a Wales and Plymouth Conferance. Put the game in a city like MTL, TOR, NY, or DET, and make it an outdoor event. You want throwbacks, let players that have recently retired lace up the skates, 2 vetran's / icons on each team.

Other players should be those with the best stats in the first half of the season, and a few specialty players, such as Sam Gagne? - players who actually have a move or 2 hidden up their jock strapes.

Goalies, 2 with the best GAA and the best rookie goaltender, whether he's played 2 games or 25, that way tenders like Mason, Price etc will recieve a valued learning experience, creating better goaltenders im sure in the future.

skills comp should include a "talent" portion which would allow players to demonstrate other stick tricks, stick handling moves, different shot techniques an so on. Opening up a creative element which would also be seen in the breakaway relay.

Outdoor rink in Dallas? The skies are always sunny here. High of 15C. No snow or rain. Bring it on!!!!

I think I've pretty much given up on tweaks; the only thing that might make it something other than shinny would be to copy baseball's model and have the winning conference get home-ice advantage in the Final. One thing I'd like to see would be to have the CHL prospects game over that weekend; maybe as a warmup for the actual game; I think American audiences would welcome it as a view of what the next crop of NHLers will look like. Otherwise, play it outdoors with no goalies.

I have to say that my only problem with the skills competition was the HORRIBLE camera angle during the shootout competitions. Nice shot of the players butt, too bad we couldn't see anything else.

Don't cancel the All Star game. I thought the skills competition was a drastic improvement, though, like most said, still needs some tweaking. Plus the selection of players participating in the event should be thought carefully as well. Some participants were 'iffy' and questionable. Just maybe if they had a practice run, or a day before the event, just so the player 'knew' what should be at least expected, the event would've been a success.

Or maybe the players were that horrible because they are just that bad, or maybe they choose to be. Who actually knows. But if the NHL continues like it is now, much success will come.

One suggestion I thought should happen for the skills competition; Maybe they should pit the rookies against the All stars. Like I said, it's just a suggestion.

While it was good to see that the NHL is trying new things to revamp a dud of an event, obviously they have a long way to go. The obstacle course was a joke, the fastest skater should have been from endline to endline, and the breakaway comp. made a mockery of the game. Awarding 9's and 10's for moves that didn't even work? Come on give me a break. Anyone new to the game like some of my friends from the states who were visiting and watching hockey for the first time, would have a hard time taking any of this spectacle seriously. At least in the NBA's slam dunk contest players are giving a few tries if their original dunk didn't go. They are not awarded top scores for "creativity" that enable them to win the event even though they failed to score. The hype giving to Ovechkin for his 360 attempt to swat the puck out of the air was a very basic move that novice hockey players in this country can do and with better results. To listen to the commentators after his FAILED attempt you would think Alexander had just scored the goal of the century when really he spun around,missed the puck, and left many of us wondering why we took time off from shovelling snow or defrosting the freezer. Just another over-hyped, underachieving weekend for the NHL.

Geeze lighten up guys...I'd rather have one weekend of circus atmosphere and accessable players having fun than an overall directive to sell the game as "sports entertainment". The way M. Bettman et al are headed, its just a matter of time before Hulk Hogan, or Joe Rogan heads the rules commitee. Look at the smiles on some of the players-they were kids again. That's what it is supposed to be. I hate the idea of the shootout as a way to decide 65min of hard competition-its a sister kiss. But make a competition about it and I will tune in. As for the actual game...if you want my opinion, go back to where we loved to play the game. On the road. Each team should pick 4 players, and each line of 4 players should play 2-2min shifts. With boots. And that stinking hard ass orange ball that leaves welts on your thighs when you get in front of it. Then we'd be having fun.

They should get back to the outdoor rink atmosphere and natural ice conditions of old and not focusing on copying the glorified, glitzy antics of (Slam Dunk) basketball.
They could also use a frozen horse turd (Slam Dung)for the interest of all the pond hockey fans.

I agree with your points regarding the All Star game. I usually find it enjoyable but this year it fell short. A new twist could be what it needs to breathe new life into it. If those ideas you mention have been floating around? I hope they run with the ball and make it something that everyone looks forward to.
I don't expect the normal NHL game I see weekly, I know it's not going to be a brutal game for all the reasons you stated. I like that we get to see the best of the best play what should be a good game of hockey, in speed, skills, have a little competitive fun. Sad to say but it seems it was poorly put together.
It's so nice to see guys who normally play each other for a spot, play on the same side together, I like that! And I like watching the guys work or play the puck, like Ovechkins shot to name one.
As far as marketing teams south I'm not saying it wasn't possible, obviously we already have a few, both south an west. I'm not in the business of marketing, I don't know if those are the areas we should expand to or not?
We keep hearing how it's dead here in the states, so If the sport is dead and needs resurrecting the question is where should the NHL go to expand? What would help sell hockey and draw new attention to those that don't normally watch? How do you attract new fans? There's a good question.
Maybe before they expand they market the product better here in general. How can they sell or expand on something if they don't really put it out there in the media on a more respectful level for people to see, learn about an watch, they need better PR to promote or advertise the game/sport.
The Pic of the outdoor rink blew me away! I've been to Mexico several times never knew they had that. I'd love to check it out, gotta admit it would seem odd to go to a hockey game outdoors in shorts! It's amazing how they kept it ice! I like to gamble, I would have bet no way slush, unbelievable!
Nice clips from past years, thanks.

Maybe not letting players who just joined their team for the 1st time this season, 2 weeks ago, play in the game. Why was Niedermeyer playing? what a joke..Maybe they should have let Selanne...maybe Gretzky.

How about we give the players 4 days off and just SKIP the game. It means nothing.

I enjoyed the two nights of all star hockey.There was no question in my mind that Nash should have been selected as the all star player of the game.Osgood was terrible.Had Vancouvers goalie been available the west all stars would have thumpted the east.Is Burke running the N.H.L.now? Its a disgrace to see Niedermayer playing in the all star game after coming back mid season and now i hear the Swede is coming back joke

I don't watch all-star games or skills competitions anymore. The highlight reels are good enough for me. For me to sit through an all-star game:
1)It should determine home ice advantage for the Stanley Cup final.
2)They should remove the instigator rule (for all games).
3)The players with the best stats should be the only players playing.

I watched all the events both days.The Young Stars 3 on 3 was pretty entertaining...maybe 3x5 min. periods followed by a shootout regardless of the score.I'll agree that the Fastest Skater should be a little longer,the Obstacle Whatever needs work and the Breakaway Challenge with the celeb judges was just plain LAME.(now with Paris,Britney or someone just out of rehab...maybe) The game itself was ok...lots of talent out there.

The winner of the all-star game should be given picks 1-15 (in order they finish in their conference) @ The NHL Draft, the losing conference needs to pick 16-30

Cancel it! It's brutal!

Alot of work still to make it right, I think they're heading in the right direction.

Faster skaters should go a half-ring, red line to red line, once around the net and then sprint to the half or opposite blue line.
Obstacle course was a gong show

But comparatively speaking, its still the best all-star exhibition in pro-sports ....only the Dunk Comp can top this one

Take note that some of the players mentioned tried these moves in an actual game situation with valuable points on the line! (Bouchard and Shannon). Imagine what they might try just for the fun of it.

I am a lifelong hockey fan and although I'm not a big fan of the all-star game proper (its focus on offense I believe disrespects defensemen), I have, until Saturday, enjoyed the skills competition. The revamped 'Fastest Skater', and the new 'Obstacle Course' and 'Breakaway Challenge' competitions illustrate how far removed the decision makers of the NHL are from the fans of the league and from how professional hockey in reality is played.

The shortened 'Fastest Skater' competition ended just as participants hit their top speed and thereby failed to adequately showcase how fast these players can skate. The confusing 'Obstacle Course' made the unprepared participants look shoddy and unprofessional. The 'Breakaway Challenge' featured awkward players who struggled, and miserably failed, to come up with something on the spot that at least somewhat varied from regular breakaways. It failed to capture the intended dynamism of the NBA's Slam Dunk competition and made the players appear amateurish.

I think that the organizers of future All-Star competitions would do the league, the players, and ultimately the fans a great service by applying the K.I.S.S principle (Keep It Simple Stupid).

Great Game
Great Jerseys
Should have got Sgt Scott from Wpg to sing
anthem

I remember about 7 years ago, there was a segment on CBC's HNIC called 'Labatt Blue Pick-up Cup'. It was a fun tourney 3 on 3 games that featured Canadian players and Goalies. I think it came on during the 2nd Intermission of the first Saturday night game. It was really fun to watch. The rink was played inside, but the rink was dressed up as like they were playing on a pond.

I like the idea having the All Star game outside...it gives it that unique-ness to the game itself.

This years Skills Compeitition was enjoyable to watch, but I wasnt a fan of the new YoungStars game rules (3 on 3, 12 minute game)...It was better as a 3 Period, 4 on 4 30 Minute game.

An All-Star game of shinny? That's what I've been saying since the Winter Classic proved that all hockey (even pro) is better outdoors. And yes, how much fun would it be to watch the stars put their sticks in the middle and choose their teams the old fashioned way? Let's ditch the game clock too and just call it when the lights go down and mom calls everyone in for dinner.

Andrew
www.pondhockeymovie.com