The NHL has announced drastic changes to the All-Star weekend format.
Gone are the days of fantasy drafts and 5 vs 5 hockey. This year there will be four teams (one for each division) and they will play in a 3-on-3 tournament to determine the winner.
In this edition of the hotstove we share our thoughts on the changes.
Todd Cordell
I don't like that there will be no fantasy draft moving forward - I thought that was the best part of All-Star weekend - but I do like the idea of a 3-on-3 tournament.
All-Star weekend is more or less a showcase for the NHL to try and attract new fans. What better way to do that than by giving all of the league's best players extra time and space to display their talents?
I don't normally watch the All-Star game but I'm willing to give the 3-on-3 tournament a chance.
Tim Chiasson I like it because it's different, and it's something new.
The NHL All-Star Game, and any ASG in general, is a joke and, generally, a complete waste of time - even though they suck me in year after year. At least there's something new to potentially be entertained by this season.
It's hard to avoid being entertained with three-on-three featuring the games most dynamic offensive players from each team, so I think it's going to be a good thing. It certainly can't be any worse than the couple hours of beer league shinny they've been playing in previous years.
John Jaeckel Yeah, sure, meh, whatever.
Should be fun, but let's face it, the All-Star weekend is non-stop gimmicks anyway. So what's one more?
I will say 3-on-3 has been fun to watch in OT this year. And if games are decided by something that at least approximates hockey (or shinny), thats definitely preferable to the gimmick of all gimmicks, the shootout.
So the stakes should be raised, as far as the fun-to-watch factor, by forming these 3-on-3 über teams.
So sure (yawn) bring it on, Bettman.
James Tanner I could care less. I can't imagine they could ever do anything to make me care about the Allstar game.
But 3 on 3 is a lot of work for the players playing. Why make the guys who have to work through their only holiday work harder just to sell a few extra tickets? Its absurd and probably a bad idea.