Hockey players are supposed to be better than this. Sure baseball players and football players might pull this kind of baloney, but hockey players? They're supposed to be the down-to-earth ones, the guys who everyone says are approachable and "get it."
Gordie Howe played in 23 All-Star Games. 23.
It has to feel a little more bitter to the NHL right now to be announcing their involvement in the World Cup of hockey. And the next time the players want to go to the Olympics, they might want to bring this All-Star game up. Would Sidney Crosby or Henrik Lundqvist be missing the Olympics right now? Would Malkin?
I think it's safe to say that everyone reading this article thinks the All-Star game is a waste of time. And to a group of diehard hockey fans, the kind who read this site on a Friday, it probably is a waste of time.
It's not good hockey. It's not indicative of the game. It's not really entertaining. It's played at half speed. Yeah, I get it, all this is true. But having attended several All-Star games I can tell you that when you're at the event, in the city where it is being held, it's pretty awesome. And it's not awesome because the game is better, or because suddenly the speed is greater...I t's awesome because you get to see what this game means to the kids who follow it. In Atlanta I took pictures of all 30 jerseys being worn. And when the players come down the red carpet you see kids standing there in awe. And that means something. And it only happens once in their city in 30 years.
I am quite sure some kid in Columbus is coming home from school today..who is going to the All-Star game...and finding out that Sidney Crosby won't be there. And even though he's a Columbus Blue Jackets fan, and probably doesn't love Sydney Crosby, it's absolutely going to affect him.
Henrik Lundquist made it known before the selections were made that he didn't want to go to this game. He didn't want to go to a game that supports the league which pays him. He went to the Olympics last year and played for free.
A few years ago Sidney Crosby was hurt, but then I saw him walking the halls in the arena at the All-Star game. I asked him what he was there for, and it was obvious he was there to support the NHL. The NHL had set up many sponsors to meet with Sidney Crosby. That matters to the league, and to the league's well being.
I really don't want to judge anyone, but the fact that Crosby played 20+ minutes on Tuesday 20+ minutes on Wednesday and he isn't even going to the game just rubs me the wrong way. And you are talking to a big-time Crosby fan. Yes a Flyers fan who is a Crosby fan. I think he is one of the greatest ambassadors to this game and has the respect of so many people that play against him it's almost amazing.
Perhaps there's some personal reason he can't go. I honestly don't know.
This article really isn't supposed to just be about Crosby.
This is about the attitude that so many players have towards this game. It's an attitude hockey players were never supposed to have. It's an attitude that conjures up thoughts of entitled athletes.
The top of an incredibly slippery slope which I never expected to see these players peering out over.
Oh well.
I will be back with a rumor blog later today, but I really wanted to hear your thoughts on this.
Stay tuned at 1 o'clock for the HockeybuzzCast, where I'm sure we'll talk about this as well as rumors. Thanks
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