2008 NHL All Star Game

[mack 44]

Neither are what I'd call "exciting" and that's what I was comparing; not the actual styles of play. The only comparison I was making were "effective" and "boring." Those hold true, regardless of the explanation of how Detroit apparently plays keepaway.

[cbj05 0]

Still fuming over Pazzy not making it, and I'm not gonna watch the game.

Here's a cool quote I pulled off another forum:

Maybe (Leclaire's) not going to the ASG because the NHL doesn't want him to get a shutout there! Your final score:

Western all-stars: 16

Eastern all-stars: 0

Good call by the NHL to keep that debacle from happening.

[GekigangarIII 0]

Still fuming over Pazzy not making it, and I'm not gonna watch the game.

Leclaire got straight up robbed with no spot, that's for sure. I'm not too familiar with the protocol for the whole fan vote thing, but shouldn't Leclaire take Luongo's place when he decided not to show up?

I know Pascal isn't exactly a household name or anything yet, but looking at the eastern side of things isn't exactly a "who's who" of modern hockey either.

Back on the whole changing the game thing. I'm sure we've all thought long and hard about how to change the game to get it to flow better or at least be more free-wheeling. It's a tough nut to crack.

I think even more than the systems of modern defense (traps, locks, etc.), it's the actual fundamentals taught to forwards at such an early age that shift the game into the defensive mode. Kids now a days are taught defense just as much as offense early on. It's ingrained on them right from the start so defense is always a big part of the game.

Back when I was a kid and you caught the d pinching and got away with just a forward in front of you, it was pretty much a goal because players were way more specialized. Granted a D man could just rub you out, but vs a forward you were pretty golden for a scoring chance. There just weren't very many 2 way players then. Now you have players that play BOTH D and O so well and the majority of players are at least 'capable'. It's gonna be tough to break that mindset even if you change the rules.

I'm not exactly sure how you'd do it to be honest. Make it illegal to have more than 2 players behind the 2nd blueline on a transition? Talk about a nightmare to enforce. I don't know what you'd do that wouldn't be a nightmare to enforce. Make it illegal for the other team to touch a dump in until the offensive team has touched it (a reverse offsides)? haha.

Good discussion though

[chef_ducky 0]

thats a joke that he did not get a spot

[crazykeeper3317 0]

Can I ask why Brodeur isn't playing anymore I've had a look around and can't find a reason.

Another thing is why don't they have the World vs North America games anymore?

I always thought that it was better that way then East vs West

[Chadd 916]

Another thing is why don't they have the World vs North America games anymore?

I always thought that it was better that way then East vs West

Just about everyone in north america preferred the East/West format, in addition to the logistical problems of getting everyone represented.

[gxc999 7]

I know a lot of people will disagree with me on this but I think Detroit is very boring team. I’ve watched few of their games this year, and they absolutely bore you to death when they trap. What saves them is their passing game and D+Z who show some skill. But most of their exiting play is on PP. Now last year a team like Buffalo was exiting, Tampa and Carolina are exiting teams to watch. I know many think that the reason Detroit has poor attendance this year is because of economy and Tigers, but I think part of it is their home games are boring. I know it will never happen but the only way to stop the trapping teams is to completely revise the point system. Where teams who score more goals and get more scoring chances get more points. So the key point of winning a game would be thru offence not thru defense.

Or maybe one small rule change can eliminate the trap which is the offside. Get rid of the blue line so there is no offside rule at all then they might not line up at the blue or even red line. These are very radical changes which of course will never happen.

Cheers

I really tend to agree, Detroit is boring to watch. I've tried and can't stomach more than a period of their games. Carolina, Tampa, Philly, play fun hockey, I wish I could name 15 more teams like that but I can't think of more than a couple others...

[cxo 0]

I know a lot of people will disagree with me on this but I think Detroit is very boring team. I’ve watched few of their games this year, and they absolutely bore you to death when they trap. What saves them is their passing game and D+Z who show some skill. But most of their exiting play is on PP. Now last year a team like Buffalo was exiting, Tampa and Carolina are exiting teams to watch. I know many think that the reason Detroit has poor attendance this year is because of economy and Tigers, but I think part of it is their home games are boring. I know it will never happen but the only way to stop the trapping teams is to completely revise the point system. Where teams who score more goals and get more scoring chances get more points. So the key point of winning a game would be thru offence not thru defense.

Or maybe one small rule change can eliminate the trap which is the offside. Get rid of the blue line so there is no offside rule at all then they might not line up at the blue or even red line. These are very radical changes which of course will never happen.

Cheers

I really tend to agree, Detroit is boring to watch. I've tried and can't stomach more than a period of their games. Carolina, Tampa, Philly, play fun hockey, I wish I could name 15 more teams like that but I can't think of more than a couple others...

No, they're dull to watch for sure, but you can't argue that it isn't an effective approach, even if it makes fans (myself included) only bother to turn on games by the last 5 minutes of the third.

[Michael9 57]

Here are the shooters for the shootout competetition:

East

1)Ovechkin

2)Kovalchuk

3)St-louis

West

1)Getzlaf

2)Gaborik

3)Datsyuk

[mrusse01 0]

Here are the shooters for the shootout competetition:

East

1)Ovechkin

2)Kovalchuk

3)St-louis

West

1)Getzlaf

2)Gaborik

3)Datsyuk

Sweet. Getzlaf has my favorite 'real' shootout move I think I've seen so far.

Going to be neat to see how this plays out, I'm not sure how well it's going to work because the goalie is going to be expecting something weird and you know nobody is coming down and just ripping a shot, so they will be looking for the deke. Moves like Getzlaf's above, 'the Datsyuk', and even the Forsberg really only work if you get the tender to bite on the fake shot.

[UMWhockey 0]

anyone watch the skate this morning.... it seems like ATL is really putting on a good show and making this a great weekend for the NHL in a "non-tradational" market.

[Leafsrok 0]

im a big Kovalchuk fan, but whats he doing in the shootout contest? whats his big move going to be, a shot top corner?

[Michael9 57]

I would of liked to of seen speeza in the shootout instead of kovy and nash instead of gaborik.

[tjl_48 0]

Gaborik in the shootout too. I am a huge gaborik fan but his shootout skills leave something to be desired. I think he is like one for 10 in the shootout. We'll see what he can do I guess.

[mack 44]

Man I let the dog out and now the Young Stars game is on. Do they split the skills before and after this game? Probably not. Nice goofy look Perron made on his little intro.

I also vaguely want to put it in Chris Simpson.

PS Atta boy Clarkson. Enjoy the only goal you'll get from here on out.

Edit: oh here they are. Kaberle going 4-4 with what appeared to be Kovalchuk's mitts.

[Gummer12 134]

Is there anywhere to watch any of this online? (I have yet to check NHL.com.. checking now) But anywhere else if that's a bust?

[mack 44]

Yowza, Vinny just sealed it I think. 101.9

[cxo 0]

Dion sure did disappoint.

[mack 44]

Okay, Hummungus just beat the hell out of that one.

[cxo 0]

Iafrate was looking over his shoulder there.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Vinny was in U+ stick. Not a bad debut.

[mack 44]

OK these EA clips have to go. Let's try to keep these things somewhere near the realm of possibility.

Edit: I'm glad the NBA doesn't do stupid stuff like the NHL does, like having Pavel Bure be a dunk judge.

[cxo 0]

Is it wrong for me to have expected better from Datsyuk? I don't think so.

[camhockey16 5]

i thought maybe they would have manute bol judge the breakaway competition - at least he has had some hockey experience...

[TheBert 0]

Getzlaf is BALDING?