Viewpoint

i like the idea of bringing the European champs over and having the Stanley Cup champs play them. That would be an interesting watch i think.

The question you have to ask yourselves obviously is 'Why does the all-star game blow?' Again, as mentioned earlier, the game (and, in fact the whole event) has no passion, there's nothing on the line and the players would be crazy to risk hurting themselves mid-season (I really don't think they'd be too eager to play a serious game at any time during the season without compensation be it before, during or after) The 3 on 3 idea sounds fun and absolutely fantastic if you could work charity into it, but again, most star players probably wouldn't give it the time of day...why would they bother? You'd probably get some interest from the Canadian stars...what about the Europeans? The American's? The Russians? Seriously doubt it. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't really think it's the answer. That brings me to another of the reasons...Compensation. How far fetched would it be to make some sort of arrangement to somehow cover any payment incurred from an injury suffered at said allstar game with an insurance company? Is it that far-fetched? I honestly don't know. Finally..Reward. I know they already give a truck or some such nonsense to the MVP. (Not really sure how a player from the losing team got it, but I digress.) What purpose is there to giving a multi-millionaire a $40K truck? Absolutely ridiculous. You need to reward the winning team somehow (Doesn't it currently have something to do with the home-team advantage in the Stanley Cup or something?..again, I'm not sure) What about this? Somehow figure out a way to have a single draft pick (say a fourth rounder)that gets raffled off to all teams. Winning conference of the allstar game gets an extra ballot per team for the raffle. You could even make it so the only teams in the running for the draft pick are from the winning side. Teams could then use their ballot in trades, etc, etc. What do you folks think of that? Just my 2 cents.

The head of the IIHF recently suggested having the top European club team play the Stanley Cup champion. The European Cup championships this year were January 11-14; perfect timing for the winner to come over here a week later, and play a game or two against the defending Stanley Cup champs from the previous spring.

All-Star game...yawn...end it. For those who can remember when the Russians came to play a series of games against various NHL teams, that was exciting. Tretiak has the right idea. Let the best international teams play the best NHL teams. Full contact, regular season rosters and something to win. Anything less than a 100% effort is not worth paying or playing for. This would be a marketing monster for every team involved. Watching the Ovechkins and Crosbys is fun, but you have to have the Chris Neils and Darcy Tuckers to make it exciting. Make it so.

Here is an idea- scrap the all-star game- but not the festivities....have all-star week - but make sure you allow the schedule to plan for 2 games- REAL GAMES...ones the fans vote they want to see between the best teams...play a triple header where you can watch...say Buffalo vs San Jose and Anaheim vs Ottawa-Detroit vs New Jersey.. games you probably wouldnt see all season...and here is the rub- these games count!!! just adjust the schedule later in the season..these guys would be pumped chosen as the 'all-star teams' with the entire hockey world watching during all -star festivities...want to make it more interesting- whichever conference wins the 2 out of 3 has home ice for the Final...this way you showcase your talent during skills but also your best teams...!!!

Whatever the NHL decides to do with the All-Star game, the game should not be played in the middle of the season. Personally, I think it would be great if the game was played before the season started. It could act as the opener to a new season and also prevent the season from ending in June. In this format, it would be great to see the Stanley Cup Champions versus the best from the rest of the League. That way, the All-Star team could also be made up of the best players based on an entire season of play.

Nothing wrong with having a skills competition every year, but have the most skilled at every event participate. Not the best available at the all-star game. No offense to Brian Rafalski, a great defenseman, but he doesn't have one of the hardest shots in the league. I know every team has its own skills competition every year, they post the results in the NHL bible, The Hockey News.

I know for a fact that Wes Walz is one of the NHL's fastest skaters, but will he ever get a chance to showcase his speed in a competition for all to see? Maybe he will have a breakout year in the future, but chances are he'll never get his moment in the sun at the all-star game. Andy Mcdonald is fast, but not the fastest in the NHL.

Imagine, maybe then Rory Fitzpatrick could get there, who knows maybe he would represent the Canucks in the accuracy competition.

Chara and Souray have booming shots, but who's to say they have the hardest shot in the NHL. Out of the All-Stars yes, but maybe not in the NHL. Jamie Heward on the Washington Capitals won the hardest shot in an AHL skills contest with a shot over 100mph, but will he ever get a shot in the NHL. Probably not.

Crosby did put on a show in the breakaway competition, but why not have the best from every team. I'd like to see what moves Jussi Jokkinen or Pavel Datsyuk would use in a competition. Who knows, maybe Marek Malik would represent the Rangers and we'd see some more creativity out of him.

I think 3 on 3 for charity would be a great idea. The present all star game format is a joke and quite boring. The skills competition is the only enjoyable part to watch. Let's face it the all star game needs to improve to keep the fan base, as well as draw new ones. All star hockey for charity -I like it, I like it a lot!

I have one suggestion.
Veterans vs the Young guns. Players 31 or older play against the new comers. At least both would have something to prove. What "old timer" would want to ge beat by rookies?

I liked you idea. Sure beats what we currently have.

The only other thing I'd add?

Do it after the season.

There have been many 'interesting' suggestions on how to improve the NHL All-Star game over the past week or so. Three-on-three is certainly unique - at least I've never heard it before. In most of these suggestions there is some merit. The sense I get from all these is that we are trying to bring life to a corpse that we just want to acknowledge is dead. Don't get me wrong, I'm in favour of having an All-Star game. That fact is that all the highly-paid and sometime egocentric "Super-Star" just don't care! If the past two games (young-stars, and All-stars) isn't a clear indication of this, I don't know what is. If the players don't care and want to mail it in, fine I don't care either.
It's a business first folks. Owners don't want their players hurt. Players are mostly interested (if not motivated) by money. Face facts - Bury the all-star game. It's already dead.

In addition to my other comment.

If you think about it...imagine your consession sale...food and beer between each mini game. Shirt/Jersey sales with a 3 on 3 monogram on it with your team...hats flags or those bat noise makers. The Progam that is charging an All-star premium with bios on all teams and advertising on ever other page.

I think the format would set records.

Again as a Canadian the NHL will not listen...BUT...as a Canadian I would not want it to be next year in Atlanta...because that venue is as bad as playing championship scrable in a kindergarden class...

Instead what for the Montreal Anniversary All-star game! We Canadians would love it!

That is a fantastic idea...I would certainly pay to see that. If that type of concept does not bring a community of team supporters together nothing will.

If this format was played and pride was on the line, I am sure players would be much more willing to exploit and embarrass there fellow all-star competitors along the way. Whether it be a fancy circus shot to get the crowd on you side, or a 100mph shot that makes the goalie consider getting out of the way. All of which would make game certainly entertaining.

I remember a couple of years ago there was a special that would be played on the intermission on CBC HNIC were players would play a game of pond hockey (or shinny) and that was some fun watching that...because there was some element of pride on the line. (I think Labatt Blue sponsored it...talk to them...they might sponsor the next All-star game)

I think 3v3 All-star game would be great! BUT that being said as a FAN...and myself being Canadian...my opinion will fall on the deaf ears of the NHL (Commissionaire)