tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post8117766201772918986..comments2024-03-18T06:28:32.980-04:00Comments on Down Goes Brown: A radical and completely unrealistic plan to save the NHL all-star gameDown Goes Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10150805735008417848noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-29702510977161425972016-01-31T20:20:37.009-05:002016-01-31T20:20:37.009-05:00So… problem solved?So… problem solved?Japan Seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09895398698062010050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-5194340589374361992016-01-31T18:32:23.515-05:002016-01-31T18:32:23.515-05:00That was once true, women's hockey has improve...That was once true, women's hockey has improved a lot over the last 20 years. I'd say the Canadian and US women's national teams COULD beat high-school boys (or Midget AAA) nowadays, as long as there's no bodychecking involved. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05815400783092326454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-68076785277725904132016-01-29T07:10:10.034-05:002016-01-29T07:10:10.034-05:00Yes, because rather than purchasing one jersey fro...Yes, because rather than purchasing one jersey from their team's division, fans can now purchase two with their favorite player's name on the back.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09105723202931814269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-49808296340084114862016-01-28T19:37:44.880-05:002016-01-28T19:37:44.880-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04905910899660931139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-20911969896801695272016-01-28T19:37:08.494-05:002016-01-28T19:37:08.494-05:00I thought the league addressed the "trying&qu...I thought the league addressed the "trying" issue with the only thing that will truly motivate today's player - the winning team gets paid! The prospect of walking away from the weekend empty handed versus with a nice cheque has to provide motivation.<br /><br />As for making it more competitive - have AHL goaltenders. The NHL goalies are scared to pull a groin or injure a knee trying to stop dekes and slap shots. So bring in the kids who are motivated to make a name for themselves and would gladly accept the injury risk to be on the big stage. Even if 30 goals are scored on inferior keepers, who cares? It is what happens anyways. Besides, what star player wants to hear how he was shut down by a minor league goalie? That will be motivation to help them try as well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04905910899660931139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-53965032254582291232016-01-28T15:51:15.584-05:002016-01-28T15:51:15.584-05:00While the charity idea is nice, the league doesn&#...While the charity idea is nice, the league doesn't want to be seen NOT paying to a charity.<br /><br />You could award super-all-stars after the game for trying harder. But it might just be easier to try to divide the all stars into groups that might breed more effort, such as by age, country, college alma mater.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02559662187824098453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-2512005348161567152016-01-28T10:05:01.687-05:002016-01-28T10:05:01.687-05:00I was thinking that each team would have both men ...I was thinking that each team would have both men and women on it. Yeah, the women on their own couldn't beat a high-school boys team. David Churkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15487233987173403800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-43910131335935589172016-01-28T09:25:48.676-05:002016-01-28T09:25:48.676-05:00How about a Grinders versus Fancy-Dans format? Th...How about a Grinders versus Fancy-Dans format? The Grinders don't know how to not bring effort and the Danglers would probably be embarrassed to lose to them, so they would try harder. Andrew Shaw captain of the Grinders, Crosby pilots the Fancy-Dans. Casual sports fans might even like the "Rocky" angle and tune in to root for the Grinders...POR 4https://www.blogger.com/profile/17070169788023653632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-1868653174219331132016-01-27T19:22:01.461-05:002016-01-27T19:22:01.461-05:00I think the reason why star players try during the...I think the reason why star players try during the pre-season is because their teammates - the ones who AREN'T locked into a roster spot - ARE playing their guts out. The stars have the choice of putting in a lacklustre effort and skating at half speed, in which case they look bad in front of the fans, the management, and especially their teammates, or they up their game to match the effort the borderline cases are putting in. <br /><br />Not to mention, the other team will have players trying too (for the same reason - some of them are fighting for roster spots). Nothing increases the tempo and intensity of a game like competition. Even if you were a star player who only wanted to give 50% effort in this mean-nothing game, your attitude will probably change when some fourth line plug comes along, smashes you into the boards, steals the puck and scores.<br /><br />The ASG, by comparison, doesn't have that fire. If we're lucky, John Scott might provide it this year by dint of the fact that he actually wants to be there, but I'm not holding my breath. And even if he does, that does nothing to address the long-term health of the game.<br /><br />The league needs a way to inject competition into the ASG. Maybe they do that by offering some token to the winning side (like home-ice advantage during the SCF), or maybe they do that by giving them a cause to play for. <br /><br />The original ASG was done in support of a player who very nearly died by smashing his head on the ice after being hit in the game; why not bring that spirit back? Assign each all-star team a charity - the winning team gets 1 million dollars donated from the league to their respective charity (and perhaps a smaller sum to the losing team so the charities involved all get something out of the game). Play up the PR angle, have the players mingle with the representatives of the charity over the weekend (sick kids, injured veterans, etc.); not only would it solve the issue of players playing hookie (because you'd look like a complete dick if you did so), I think it would add just enough incentive to compete to give us a proper game out of the whole thing, and it has the added bonus of giving the league some positive press.DKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-30010388179956676202016-01-27T17:40:29.022-05:002016-01-27T17:40:29.022-05:00Have we really reached the point with political co...Have we really reached the point with political correctness where people have deluded themselves into thinking that the result of such a match-up with the NHL players trying would result in anything less than a 50-0 blow-out?<br /><br />Respecting the women's game is great, but fantasy should be for kids.commonfan14https://www.blogger.com/profile/05435562617969537214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-83111053110923007982016-01-27T17:38:43.751-05:002016-01-27T17:38:43.751-05:00If the stars put out any actual effort in preseaso...If the stars put out any actual effort in preseason, it is likely due to the ribbing they will face all season long, both from their teammates who are fighting hard for roster spots during those same preseason games, and from their hometown fans who would probably take advantage of an excuse to shame a player they don't like (for whatever reason) and wish management would trade for "someone who looks like they want to be here".<br /><br />I'm not sure if there's any way to apply that sort of shame to an all-star game since these players will be teammates only this one time.Phredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03107621331049870136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-18225138276684016332016-01-27T17:21:04.048-05:002016-01-27T17:21:04.048-05:00Just so we're clear, these are the correct tho...Just so we're clear, these are the correct thoughts:<br />-The nets should be a bit bigger. So should the ice surface. The game should be adjusted slightly for the change in those who play it. Keep the same ratios sure, but it isn't changing the fabric of the game.<br />-Fighting should be minimized. At least 5 +game with suspension for repeat offences. That being said, the game is naturally diminishing it regardless of the rules.<br />-Instant replay works, but needs improvement. A 10 min. delay to cancel out a great goal because someone's toe came a millimetre off the ice while a micrometre of the puck is still touching the blue line just doesn't improve the game.<br />-Suspensions should be longer almost across the board. And the Union should support the victim as much as the perpetrator. So should the guilty's teammates.<br />-It happens for the same reason as icing does...by accident or to relive pressure. The penalty should be the same - No line-change.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12949197179952930883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-28708514764905297132016-01-27T17:20:19.338-05:002016-01-27T17:20:19.338-05:00What this game needs is 1 angry guy who just doesn...What this game needs is 1 angry guy who just doesn't give a damn about the NHL's marketers (aka Disney-folk). He's going to go in there and throw a few checks, make some hard plays and then the other guys will get their blood up, get competitive and - boom - a good game will break out. Someone like John Scott.<br /><br />Also, you've neglected my favourite All Star goal - Owen Nolan 'calling his shot' and making it happen. Classic.Ian Hakeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10892655631012976458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-5593856686391489482016-01-27T17:17:21.403-05:002016-01-27T17:17:21.403-05:00It would also force the men to try at least a litt...It would also force the men to try at least a little in order to not get their butts kicked by what will undoubtedly be a highly motivated women's squad.Phredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03107621331049870136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-10498361477513484862016-01-27T16:49:00.718-05:002016-01-27T16:49:00.718-05:00Just take this scenario for example. Your all-sta...Just take this scenario for example. Your all-star forward, let's name him John Shmavares. He's skating around the ice in this all star game making lots of plays, having lots of fun, but "trying" just a little. All of a sudden captain Shmavares get's bumped by another try-hard hockey player on the ice with him and now captain Shmavares is out for the rest of the reason with a broken metatarsel injury. Is this the time of year you want captain Shmavares, out of the lineup? I'll answer for you. No, it's not ideal. Hence, please don't try hard captains of teams that need you, not in a meaningless game.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16472423090792623408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-9768598016104245382016-01-27T16:11:22.685-05:002016-01-27T16:11:22.685-05:00A few suggestions to get them to try harder:
Give ...A few suggestions to get them to try harder:<br />Give the game winning conference an automatic one game lead in the cup final.<br />Split voting into the most popular (best players) and the least popular (worst players) and combine them on the ice, so any line has a combination of the best and worst in the league at every position at the same time (except goalies). This includes refs.<br />Just do the skills competition and no game.<br />A rookies-only all-star game (combines effort with new blood every year).<br />No coaches.<br />No referees.<br />Lastly, since this is now a money league, just pay the winners a couple mil each. That's the players only motivation anyway. Make it worth their while to block shots, fight, and take elbows to the chops.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-1466024771259711082016-01-27T15:56:50.479-05:002016-01-27T15:56:50.479-05:00Staking home field in the World Series is the stup...Staking home field in the World Series is the stupidest rule in professional sport. Even dumber than the trapezoid. I give MLB a half a golf clap for trying to make their ASG mean something, but I'd rather 162 (or 82 in the NHL) games decide home advantage in the championship, not one exhibition game in the middle of the season, where 95% of the participants won't even be in the championship series.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16909993074387298637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-38533253560451142552016-01-27T15:54:25.641-05:002016-01-27T15:54:25.641-05:00But it can't be just that. For star players wh...But it can't be just that. For star players who are already locked into a roster spot, a typical preseason game is even more meaningless than the all-star game -- at least the latter has an audience watching. And yet they still manage to put out at least some small degree of effort. Preseason hockey is a ripoff, but it's nowhere near as bad as the all-star game.<br />Down Goes Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10150805735008417848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-31603680303956123682016-01-27T15:52:19.994-05:002016-01-27T15:52:19.994-05:00Hold that thought. It's going to be this week&...Hold that thought. It's going to be this week's YouTube Breakdown clip.Down Goes Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10150805735008417848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-57776086299027559822016-01-27T15:25:10.594-05:002016-01-27T15:25:10.594-05:00How about changing the game format to something li...How about changing the game format to something like the MLB does (or maybe used to do... it's been a while since I've followed baseball) and give the winning conference an advantage of home ice during the playoffs? Or if we go back to East/West, then give the advantage during the Final. Then you'd REALLY see them try!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14551262086166008516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-69015396346355061612016-01-27T15:08:44.147-05:002016-01-27T15:08:44.147-05:00Bring in only the top players under 22, have them ...Bring in only the top players under 22, have them play against the draft eligible players from the CHL prospects game, or draft 2 teams comprised of up and coming drafted and draft eligible players.<br /><br />It may lack some of the star power and name recognition of the current format but the undrafted kids will go to the wall to raise their draft stock while the older kids will want to show off vs the next generation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17538941743818631656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-12814392395409464492016-01-27T14:41:00.246-05:002016-01-27T14:41:00.246-05:00Great article as always. The one minor defense I w...Great article as always. The one minor defense I will bring up is that "trying" increases the chance of injury...which is something no team or no player wants in a meaningless game. If it's a playoff game, or even a regular season game, I want to see players giving it their all...and they DO give it their all, because there is some potential benefit to doing so. So long as the ASG means nothing at all, the "try" will be lacking, but no injuries will occur to sideline those stars from the REAL games. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-28882753274941327172016-01-27T13:53:58.139-05:002016-01-27T13:53:58.139-05:00They need to bring back the classic East/West form...They need to bring back the classic East/West format, with World/North America in World Cup years.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06951167533213340142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-5095492430550861312016-01-27T13:19:00.586-05:002016-01-27T13:19:00.586-05:00The problem seems less to me that players have col...The problem seems less to me that players have collectively decided it is unsporting to actually try, and more that players are increasingly aware of the health risks involved in full-speed hockey so aren't willing to take on any additional risk just to do well in an exhibition whose only real meaning came when they were invited. (Not That) Bill O'Reillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00243207226270900725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202653898886981.post-6112240023386347712016-01-27T12:04:46.477-05:002016-01-27T12:04:46.477-05:00Watch the CWHL and NWHL All-Star Games, NHL player...Watch the CWHL and NWHL All-Star Games, NHL players--no one gets hurt or too tired, but they're a lot of fun and everyone tries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com