All Star Scrutiny Misplaced
by Bob Wage on Jan 9, 2009 3:29 PM EST
7 comments
Of course there is much hand-wringing around the league about the Eastern All Star selections announced yesterday. Some have gone so far to say that the tradition of having one player representing each team should be abolished. Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau had this to say:
As a personal opinion, I don't agree with the process," Boudreau said. "People would much rather see the best players in the world rather than one representative of every team. But that's the way it is for now, so that's the way we'll live with it."
Nice to see Boudreau speaking for all of the "people". Perhaps the suddenly bombastic coach should give his head a shake. First of all, where was the coach and his "noteworthy" opinions a couple of years ago when the Caps were in last place? (oh yeah, he wasn't even in the league) Did it occur to him that his own fans would have been shut out of the game in year's past using his logic?
Or perhaps Mike Green and Alexander Semin should be All Stars because of how well they played when they were on the Injured Reserve list a good part of the season?
Look, there is no doubt that Green and Semin are great players who could have made the team. But the problem with the system lies less with the attempt by the league to have one player from each team participate, and more with the process of allowing irrational fans to vote favorites in for the starters.
If you want to see All Star injustice, look no further than having Alexei Kovalev, Mike Komisarek, and probably even Carey Price make the team, let alone be starters. Where is Boudreau's outrage about that?
The NHL should get the blame for attempting to have all team's fans represented in the game? Heaven forbid that a player from Florida, Phoenix, or Atlanta get some national exposure. We all know that most fans would much rather watch the same guys over and over from the Pens, Wings, Caps, and Habs. It's not like they don't get a chance to see them on Versus every week.
The primary problem with the process is that many fans are incapable of unbiased, dispassionate voting. Perhaps the players, coaches, or even sports journalists should participate in the decision making? Or perhaps there should be limits placed on each IP address or phone numbers sending text message votes?
Until then, the entire process is a joke. You have whimsical Habs fans voting for Kovalev, the same player they have been booing for a good part of the season.
Whatever happens, don't take away the primary reason that many in small markets or those supporting losing teams would have to watch the classic, the ability to cheer for one of their own.
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Hmmm, got an opinion on the matter there, Bubba?
I guess I’m on the fence. Like the college football thing sucks without a playoff system, I’d say the ASG is as flawed. I guess I’m on the fence because I can’t just vomit out the end all answer.
I will say, the ASG in Montreal……..
we are surprised why?
A
by Paladin6 on Jan 9, 2009 5:12 PM EST reply actions
I like the idea of at least 1 player from every team. The fans vote them in although i’m am a little peeved about all the Montreal homers. But fans are the ones paying money to go to the game and attend the rest of the games for their respective teams. If the fans arent happy they are not going to the games. Then were is Bruce’s paycheck coming from.
Plus doesnt the NHL have a rule not allowing little sissy men who “slap” and “play bongos during a fight” into the All Star game?
by blacklisted on Jan 9, 2009 5:29 PM EST reply actions
I doubt my opinion is very popular on this one. John Forslund agrees with Boudreau, that the NHL should disregard the idea of having one player from each team and just go with the best, period.
But having been the fan of a small market team for a long time, I still like the idea of representation from everyone, if at all possible. Give the little guys something to cheer about.
As for the fan voting, the NHL is kind of between a rock and a hard place. They need to allow fans to get involved with the process so that there is interest in the game, but they need to make things fair. This year’s electronic ballot stuffing was absurd.
by Bubba on Jan 9, 2009 11:11 PM EST reply actions
I was actually at the last all-star game that was played in Montreal – and the Habs were not over-represented like this in the starting lineup.
Ballot stuffing is indeed absurd.
by repenttokyo on Jan 10, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions
I like your assessment, Bubba.
We need more arbitrary balloting for the starters.
It would be VERY controversial if 3 or 4 Canes were starters for a Carolina ASG. That is, if we ever get that ASG we were promised…
by Josh on Jan 11, 2009 10:05 PM EST reply actions
I agree 100% with what you are saying Bubba. Every team should have a player represented. Every kid who follows hockey thinks that one of their players is the greatest no matter what the rest of the league thinks and should have a right to be represented.
The voting system is very unfair the way it is done now. Seeing so many players from one team (Montreal) and knowing one of them actually sucks this year is so unfair.
Good article as usual Bubba.
C
by Caron on Jan 12, 2009 12:02 PM EST reply actions
One player from each team i think is important. That IMO will help grow the game in all markets. Now i know im going to get shot for this (jk hopefuly) but IMHO I dont think that Staal has been an “all star” this year. He has at times but if you take into account the entire year, im not so sure about that. I support it the way things are done for the most part now. Where was the backlash when china voted Ming into the all star game as a rookie when he was undeserving.?? What really should change is who they select as “vote worthy” and whom are write ins. that would change the way voting turns out I think,
The true all star for the canes would be one of our blue liners Joe or Joni, thats atleast how ive seen things this year
by Charles on Jan 13, 2009 3:45 AM EST reply actions
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