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Forums :: Blog World :: Eklund: Should the NHL Have an All-Star Game THIS year?
Author Message
Sams_Dog
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 11.03.2005

Jan 14 @ 10:04 PM ET
No. Its a very bad look for the NHL to back out of the Olympics - which the players really wanted - due to COVID but then turn around and say its fine for them to come to Vegas and play in a meaningless, promotional exhibition that is all about making money for the league. I wouldn't blame the players at all of they turned this invite down. They really should.
henny1953
Vancouver Canucks
Location: Aalborg
Joined: 02.10.2010

Jan 14 @ 10:22 PM ET
Absolutely agree. If Canadian Players catch the Vid in Vegas they can't come home either.
Avs101
Colorado Avalanche
Joined: 06.09.2021

Jan 15 @ 12:08 AM ET
Lol allstar game is awful anyways. Zero compete level. 2016 world cup of hockey was at least watchable, do that again. Why would you compare the Olympics to the NHL allstars game???!? One makes money and the other does not, pretty simple. Love how some still think it's about helth after 2 years
Hesh_
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 07.29.2013

Jan 15 @ 3:29 AM ET
I wonder how many will test positive from being there, and mess up their seasons even more? Just have them stay home, rest up and have them play NHL22 online and broadcast it.
- bluelineenforcer

It’s actually not a bad thought. Maybe not for the All Star game. I’m all for scrapping that this year. But if you want to attract a younger fan base to keep the sport going into further generations, you gotta throw bait into their pond. Consider a combo event of the real game and the virtual.

Some of these gamers draw massive followings. Huge. Discord, Twitch, YouTube, etc bring in millions of viewers. Some make hockey player type salaries, and they can’t legally have a beer yet.

If the NHL wanted to take a step, they could have some of the more charismatic players team up with some of these streamers and get a lot of hits. Kids can see how fun hockey really is.

Have it for charity! Viewers tip constantly during those streams. Plus, streamers looooove the publicity.

I mean, let’s face it, the NHL might be huge in Canada, but it’s still a niche sport in the States. I grew up playing it, so I’ve always loved the game, but I have quite a few friends who started their fandom with hockey playing Nintendo’s version with the skinnies, middies, and fatties. Or even NHLPA 93/ NHL 94 which were wildly entertaining. The latter being better because it actually had the players attached.

The more the NHL does events like this, yes it’ll seem lame to the old school crowd, but you’ll draw more interest of Zoomers and maybe even Alphas if they hold tournaments like that every so often. Kids are becoming more disenfranchised with sports, so combine it with something they actually follow.

And here’s the beauty of it. It doesn’t cost you much. What’s your overhead? Advertising? You don’t even have to do much of that. The NHL would just be advertising to the fans they already have. Let the kids do it. If there is one thing these vapid hucksters can do well, it’s self promotion. They’ll take care of their own audience.

You’ll get younger viewers, an new audience, a couple bucks for charity, new advertising revenue, and I’m sure your players won’t mind playing a few rounds of video games. After all, it’ll get their social media outlets more hits, too.
henny1953
Vancouver Canucks
Location: Aalborg
Joined: 02.10.2010

Jan 15 @ 5:25 AM ET
Sportnet has a solution, We want a player from every Team hold the skills and Game as separate. You don't have to be in the Game to be in the skills. Best part of the week-end.
rayc16
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Free Frosty
Joined: 06.29.2006

Jan 15 @ 8:10 AM ET
Not this year, or any other year.
Only_A_Ladd
Los Angeles Kings
Location: TERRACE LANCO,, CA
Joined: 06.06.2013

Jan 15 @ 11:16 AM ET
So Marchand is under consideration for the HofF but couldn't make the all-star team. I see superstars like Clayton Keller, Jordan Eberle, Adrian Kempe all made the team. Oh wait, the NHL thinks it's really important to have 1 player from each team attend. They want fans from LA to watch the game and so having Adrian Kempe in the game will boost interest among the LA faithful. Anyone see how illogical that is. And yet the media eats it up spinning this narrative of how cool the event is. I wouldn't watch if you paid me.
- HockeyBuzzed


Planning my entire weekend around watching Kempe in the ASG.
arh777
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Yorba Linda, CA
Joined: 03.27.2012

Jan 15 @ 11:27 AM ET
No. Its a very bad look for the NHL to back out of the Olympics - which the players really wanted - due to COVID but then turn around and say its fine for them to come to Vegas and play in a meaningless, promotional exhibition that is all about making money for the league. I wouldn't blame the players at all of they turned this invite down. They really should.
- Sams_Dog


And what does playing in China do for the Chinese who actually gave us the virus along with Fauci and his minions?
Follow the money!
gonch
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: toronto, ON
Joined: 02.20.2007

Jan 15 @ 11:49 AM ET
No
ktsparks
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Crete, IL
Joined: 10.15.2018

Jan 17 @ 9:17 AM ET
I went to the All Star game in Columbus and it was the best hockey experience I've had (well, maybe behind the outdoor Hawks game at Soldier Field). We spent the day in Columbus, hung out at a great restaurant/bar with dozens of people in all different hockey jerseys. We made a game of it and found a fan of every team at some point during the day. We were surrounded by hockey fans from Philly and LA. We had a great time asking each other about their teams and hockey arenas. And yeah, we loved the skills competition, but didn't bother getting tickets for the "game"

It's a great experience for fans. Not sure if that's why NHL does it, but if so I can say it is worthwhile.
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