You absolutely nailed it Ek, Yes the all star game doesn't matter and it isn't played like a normal game but I still love seeing all the best players in the league on one ice surface. I wish they'd go back to the East vs. West format because being from the West coast I always want to see the West win. This is a problem in all sports as athletes are becoming more and more "soft" when it comes to doing their jobs.. Look I get it, it is not easy to be a professional athlete. You have to eat, sleep and live your sport everyday of the week all the time. That is why you get paid a ton of money! You chose this road in life! Don't sit there and complain about petty little things. The players, coaches and even some fans need to stop female doging about the all-star game because you know who still loves it? Kids, the future adult fans. Crosby is one of my favorite players in the league, He trained here in LA during the lockout at the rink I worked at and I got to speak with him many times off the rink and think he is a class act. However as arguably the top ambassador to the game today he should suck it up and show up and play for a period at the least.
- uknowho48

Get over it and get your panties out of a bunch.

The only all star games that are worth watching are prospect games like last night. Same thing with football, high school all american game. No one cares about the NHL all star game or the pro bowl.

I'll jump on the side that the NHL all-star game is still a required piece during the season (because nobody wants to watch that in June). I'll also throw myself on the side that it's for the younger fans to just watch a fun game.

1 - I dump this captain idea for picking teams. It takes even more away from the game, East vs West is all that's needed because fans already separate the players this way.

2 - Name the Captains, voted specifically by the other all-star players only to see who they want to captain their team. You'll get a good mix of stars, veterans or perhaps a player who plays for the hosting city.

3 - Those captains assign a charity, East vs West, the winning team gets a massive charitable donation (losing team would obviously get something but to a smaller degree). Puts a LITTLE something on the game without pretending it's more than a charity event.

Hey it's not re-inventing the wheel, it doesn't change the hardcore fan mind-set...but it's a little added emphasis to do something positive.
- Fols19

I like this idea.

Crosby just had an MRI done. Is he faking an injury to the extent of having a MRI? Stop complaining about nothing
- gdsmack267

Lacerated uterus?

You better step in and save this thing Ek, you can do it.

Somebody call the Waaaaahmbulance .
- Cfser

Many thanks on proving my point. You're awesome.

This was never an issue before this became the all-star 'break'. So now players have the option of playing some meaningless crap game or spending 4 or 5 days on a beach or with family. Yeah, tough choice for most guys there...
But in the end, it was a crappy game before, it's a crappy game now, and some of us will tune into at least some of it, because even though it's crappy, it's crappy HOCKEY.

So true. This is really true in all major sports.

Representing your country in the Olympics is a major honor. Being chosen to play in an All Star Game is also an honor, but it's not even in the same universe when it comes to the actual games themselves.
- 15Hedberg

this guy gets it.

THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN

I would never say NHL players are "better" when it comes to giving back and doing things for the community etc. So I for one never viewed them as "the good guys" and the ones who "got it", at least not anymore so than other athletes.

That said, the amount of them bailing on the All-Star Weekend is pretty lame. Really don't think a player showing up or not is going to make a difference in their "injury recovery".

Boo freaking Hoo, Maybe the NHL should do a better job protecting its star players and they won't all be hurt for their little money making circle jerk.

The league deserves every player to pull out until the refs start calling the penalties the way its written. Remember the whole lockout thing???

The game is becoming unwatchable again like it was before the lockout. Interference is rarely ever called and it blatantly occurs 10 times a game.

F The All Star Game and F the complaining about players pulling out of its pony show.

Do it like mlb, east vs west and winner gets home ice advantage in Finals
- PeterMcCor

Oh my god no. MLB maybe is the most stupid organization in sports and Bud Selig is the master idiot.

FIRST OFF YOU DO IT FOR THE KIDS!!!

let's everyone see their favorites play with arch enemies and think what if we traded for that guy to play with our guy!

you show up and enjoy it even if you don't play in it because you are hurt or not!

always get a play or two that is talked about for a few days after till the regular season starts up again!

rather have all star game and Olympics every 4th year then the world cup of hockey!

Clickbait.

If I read it 1 time, I've read it 1000 times on this site about the league shoving Crosby down everyone's throat. Now that he excuses himself from a game that is designed for that exact purpose, he's an ingrate and children will be robbed. Laughable.
- madmike71

NHL fans have such an agenda with Sid its beyond pathetic. When he's not crying he's the face of the game, when he's not diving he's an ambassodor of the sport.

The way he is criticized is so over the top, its a wonder he even wants to play in the league.

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."

Ever think hockey players are the kinda guys who don't like to be paraded around in pony shows for the purpose of marketing gimmicks to benefit the owners? Maybe hockey players have a little bit of dignity and respect for the game they play and they don't think the All-Star game supports this (because it doesn't). I don't think we share the same view on the kinds of people hockey players are.

the all star game is a worthless piece of crap.

If I were Sidney and the NHL were to even think of penalizing me for not going I would change my phone number and not do anything promotional for them until I received a full and public apology.

Think about it boyz. You can choose between going to an exotic place were nobody knows you, women are beautiful and the drink taste wonderful or go to Columbus where there's not much to do at night after the event.

If the all star were in NY or LA...we may have seen a increase of participation.

make the all star game mean something more than generating revenue for the NHL and the city it is in and maybe there will be more allure for players besides getting picked to play in the all star game.

also, these players play on teams, that ya know, play in the regular season. so why should a player sacrifice his own physical well being(if injured, or even if hes just tired or banged up) when he could be resting to gear up for the upcoming regular season end and playoffs?

Really an all-star game is not needed. Many players do enough for the game (like Crosby) That they don't have to worry about a useless game that is not really a good reflection of the NHL. They might as well have a media event in Columbus and forget the game.

Ek-I'm a big fan of yours and Hockeybuzz, but I've got a bone to pick.

1. Lundqvist was never invited to the All-Star Game.

2. He played all the way to the gold medal game in last year's Olympics.

3. The Rangers went 7 games in rounds 1, 2 and 3 and then to the finals.

As a Ranger fan, I'm relieved that my starting goalie is going to get some more rest and can recharge because I'm hoping they're heading for another big run in the post-season.

Kids want to cheer for their favorite players from their favorite team. Nash will tear it up this weekend. This is his dream all star game. I'm predicting he'll get MVP for the All-Star Game.

Lundqvist not going is non-story.
- 15Hedberg

No excuse. He should be there to sign autographs for all the little boys and girls of Columbus Ohio. The center of the hockey universe.

Great!
We go from the "Soft Balls", to the "Soft Penguins" controversy.

the all star game is a worthless piece of crap.

- galahad

i rank it two notches higher than an islanders game

Really an all-star game is not needed. Many players do enough for the game (like Crosby) That they don't have to worry about a useless game that is not really a good reflection of the NHL. They might as well have a media event in Columbus and forget the game.
- Robeun

That's another good point. It's such a poor representation of the professional sport. Virtually no resemblance of NHL hockey.

Why was my comment deleted? All I said is Crosby is injured so he can't play in the all star game. What is going on here?! Cmon! Sometimes I get so angry!!! I throw things and punch holes in my wall! It gets me so riled up! Crosby is so talented and so strong and handsome just let him miss the all star game!