The NHL is marketing the All Star Game in a number of ways and one of them is by sending stuff to bloggers. I got an email from Sinuate Media today asking if I would be interested in posting video and/or banner material. Rather than turn them down because I’m not a big fan of the All Star selection process (after voting stops), I chose to actually accept some admittedly indirect attention from the League, more because it’s so rare (for me, anyway) than anything else. So, That’s where the temporary banners you see come from.
As for the title of the post, I present you this video. It’s actually pretty cool.
As I indicated last night, I think the NHL’s All Star reserves and replacements all too often are ludicrous choices. However, I’m all for the players voted in by the fans (even given the occasional stuffed ballot box). I’m proud of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and Pavel Datsyuk for getting voted in, even if Hank can’t play. I also think the League made the right decision in naming Chris Osgood as a reserve. I should have made that clearer in last night’s rant.
It’s not the All Star Game itself I have a problem with, per se. I suppose it’s more the fact that the fans only have a say in who the starters are. Why can’t we vote for the whole roster line-by-line and pairing-by-pairing, with those players with the most top-line/pairing votes getting the start?
Maybe the League figures the average fan has a tough time thinking of six players League-wide to vote for, let alone a full roster. That may be a valid concern, since many fans are so parochial. Still, it may go a long way in ending the feelings of injustice and give the NHL a break from all the negative waves emanating from angry fans feeling their players got the shaft.
Also, I should mention that Ryan Doherty of the new Hockeytown Blog will be covering the All Star Game and its related festivities from Atlanta this weekend.
You talk about a faceless “League” making the decision once voting stops. I’d like to be more specific so people know who that is. The Western and Eastern Conference reserves are chosen by the NHL’s hockey operations department along with general managers. I am not sure who carries the most weight on the process in that group, but I’d imagine Ken Holland has a say in that matter and could be nixing the involvement of Wings who he wants to keep healthy or for other reasons. Just a thought - a different angle that labeling it an injustice of the “League.”
Good point, Brian. I hadn’t thought of it that way. I suppose Holland could be against certain Wings playing, but he’s only one voice. Besides, my issue isn’t so much about Wings players getting snubbed, since Rafalski turned down the offer before it was extended to Niedermayer.
I’m more concerned that Niedermayer was given a spot ahead of other candidates. Surely the League cannot have asked many more players because not many guys who haven’t been there before would turn down a chance at the All Star Game.
GMs having a say along with people in the NHL office does not necessarily legitimize snubs. GM’s have their own motives for picking certain players and they aren’t necessarily better than those of the NHL people.