Time to End the All-Star Game

[Kin]

Since when is John Scott some sort of fan favourite?

I don't think he is. This isn't "I really like John Scott and want to see him happy that he made the All-Star game" it's "Wouldn't it be interesting to see a John Scott-like player in the All-Star game". And, if that's the thinking who's more like John Scott than John Scott?

He just represents an extreme. 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

My favourite thing to come out of this is reading the thoughts of media members who are outraged at these fans for voting Scott into the game, as if they've somehow ruined the sanctity of the NHL All-Star game.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

My favourite thing to come out of this is reading the thoughts of media members who are outraged at these fans for voting Scott into the game, as if they've somehow ruined the sanctity of the NHL All-Star game.

They can't even vote Ovechkin at his correct position.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

This is what Scott & co. will be wearing:

I mean I guess if "bland" is the worst thing I could say about an ASG jersey they've done an ok job. I can only imagine that the stars were a last minute addition to add a little flare.

Also, yes, there's 2 jerseys for 4 teams.

 

[bustaheims]

This is what Scott & co. will be wearing:

I mean I guess if "bland" is the worst thing I could say about an ASG jersey they've done an ok job. I can only imagine that the stars were a last minute addition to add a little flare.

Also, yes, there's 2 jerseys for 4 teams.

If the yellow was orange, they'd almost be going for a throwback colour scheme. Also, one that matched the league's colour scheme . . .

They're on the right path, though. Slowly getting back to this:

 

[Bullfrog]

Since when is John Scott some sort of fan favourite?

I don't think he is. This isn't "I really like John Scott and want to see him happy that he made the All-Star game" it's "Wouldn't it be interesting to see a John Scott-like player in the All-Star game". And, if that's the thinking who's more like John Scott than John Scott?

He just represents an extreme.

It's neither. It's "let's be idiots and vote in John Scott." NO ONE is interested in seeing John Scott in an all-star game.

 

[Kin]

It's neither. It's "let's be idiots and vote in John Scott." NO ONE is interested in seeing John Scott in an all-star game.

I absolutely am. I don't think it'll be great hockey but, well, neither is the All-Star game. This is just a different kind of trainwreck.

 

[Bullfrog]

Why are you interested in seeing him play?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Why are you interested in seeing him play?

The same reason Marek Malik's shootout goal is probably one of the most famous from the NHL. It's sorta fun to see plugs acting like stars.

 

[Kin]

Why are you interested in seeing him play?

For the same reason I'd be interested if they decided that every year a fan got to be on an all-star team and skate a regular shift. Or if they played a game with 2 pucks on the ice. Muhammud Ali vs. a Karate champion or a dunk contest where they kept raising the height of the rim. It's novel. It's weird.

Or, in other words:

There are going to be some that see this candidacy as making a mockery of the process, but that shows a complete ignorance of the process. It?s not the Hart Trophy, it?s a midseason exhibition game. The fan vote isn?t based on achievement or merit, it?s based on ?who do we want to see in the All-Star Game?? If that player is John Scott, then so be it: There?s absolutely no litmus test for talent or merit or stats in a fan vote. It's just, ?would I want to see this player in the All-Star Game??

And again, like many people: I want to watch John Scott of the Arizona Coyotes lug his ass up and down the rink in a 3-on-3 tournament with the best offensive players in the world.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/john-scott-and-2016-nhl-all-star-game--why-fans-must-make-this-happen-155528278.html

 

[CarltonTheBear]

It's neither. It's "let's be idiots and vote in John Scott." NO ONE is interested in seeing John Scott in an all-star game.

This doesn't happen without Jeff Marek and Greg Wyshynski getting the ball rolling on their podcast, two pretty respected members of the NHL community. After that I'm sure a decent percentage of the voters were just goofballs on the internet getting in on the joke, but it all started in a place of "how can we make this game a little more interesting?" And you really can't deny that it accomplished that goal.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

They're on the right path, though. Slowly getting back to this:

I mean I guess this just goes to show how little I often pay attention to this but I looked up all the previous jerseys and I didn't realize that they more or less just slap the NHL logo onto a different colour scheme basically every. single. year. Whoever gets paid to design these has the easiest job.

 

[Bullfrog]

You're perhaps right, but it certainly doesn't make it more interesting for me. I want to see the most skilled players who are willing and able to go.

While I understand Nik's argument of "if that's who the fans want to see, then that's the right choice", it definitely cheapens it for me. I get that it's just an exhibition game for fun, but it is the all-STAR game. Scott is a plug. Worse, he's a thug.

Instead of increasing the novelty of the all star game and skills competition, I'd rather they increase the meaning of the game.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

If NHL does make changes based on this then people will just find some other reason to complain about the game anyway.

 

[Kin]

Instead of increasing the novelty of the all star game and skills competition, I'd rather they increase the meaning of the game.

I think we all would but, as I mentioned earlier, not only has the NHL had decades to try and do that but their failure doesn't even reflect that poorly on them as every single sports league struggles with the same thing. It's very hard to get millionaire athletes to prefer busting their butt in an exhibition game over a 5 day vacation in the middle of a difficult season.

The only real ways I can think of to make it matter are things the NHL would never do(create a real financial incentive for being in the game) or would be logistically difficult and the NHL would never do(a NHL all-stars vs. KHL all-stars game).

Also, maybe just as something to think about, I get that you don't want to see someone like Scott. And I get why. But there are going to be...what 50+ all-stars? You're saying that your experience is cheapened by 49 of the 50 fitting your criteria instead of all 50? And Scott taking the place of the least deserving of the 50?

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I've always liked the idea of making it East vs West for home advantage in the SCF ala MLB.

I'd like to see the best of the best playing together and playing like there was something at stake.

Of course, if a Leafs star gets injured I reserve the right to retract any previous statements.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Rosters announced:

Leo!

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Trade Value!

 

[Tigger]

Wonder if Ekblad or Larkin have the bonus in their contract? That might sour some young player on the Scott thing too.

 

[Kin]

Ooof. No Crosby.