NHL to have Captains choose teams at NHL all star game in 2011

[dsjunior1388 81]

http://bit.ly/bjTvWk

Brendan Shannahan proposed the idea and it looks like its going to happen this season in Raleigh. Definitely an interesting way to draw attention to an otherwise boring event.

[camhockey16 5]

i know they had the idea before and it would definitely make the game more interesting - but what is to stop the captains from just picking all guys that they are good friends with? or what happens when the perennial all star that is about to retire doesn't get picked? maybe you just dont worry about it - but im sure those questions will be brought up.

[Krev 86]

I remember when the All Star game used to be entertaining. Now it's just kinda meh. I'm a big supporter of doing the Winter Classic in place of the All Star game. Skills comp on Saturday, Winter Classic game on Sunday = All Star Weekend.

[nexusrage21 1]

That's pretty cool, it adds a new element to the event. As far as gimmicks go its better than determining home field in the finals.

[C.SLO5 0]

It's a neat idea. Kind of like school yard hockey. 2 Captains picking who they want to play with. Good idea.

But, i'm going to go with Krev. Skills and fun stuff then the next day Winter Classic.

[goaliemanshark 6]

Who decides the captains? Can they choose any players they want?

I prefer the current format, teammates shouldn't play against each other unless its international play IMHO

[Speedz98 15]

Eric Staal is going to be the captain of the East. It's painfully obvious and really annoying if it does happen.

[Chadd 916]

Who decides the captains? Can they choose any players they want?

I'm guessing you didn't actually read the article, the captains get to pick from the pool of players selected by fans and the NHL operations people.

Eric Staal is going to be the captain of the East. It's painfully obvious and really annoying if it does happen.

Staal over Sid?

[Speedz98 15]

You make a good point. The thing is what reason would it be that they wouldn't make Staal the captain?

Trust me I'd prefer some one else just because of how cliche and predictable that would be. (even though it's as cliche and predictable for it to end up being Crosby).

I don't have a guy in mind though.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Seems like the most logical way is to take the top 6 vote getters, make them the two captains and the four alternates, and they group up and divvy them up from there. The problem is, what do they do about jerseys. Obviously they will have to be picked well before the game to get their uni's made and get the merch available, but does that push the "draft" too far away from the game and take away from the excitement if it happens 2 weeks or a month beforehand.

[hamstercaster 2]

I heard that in 2012 they'll just throw all the sticks in the middle of the ice and make teams outdoor rink style.

[JKranz24 1]

I actually read (sorry, don't know where) that they're going to pick the teams that weekend, which would be AWESOME.

I personally LOVE this idea...everyone thinks the All-Star Games in every league are jokes and exhibitions, and it seems the only two leagues that know it are the NBA and (now) the NHL. Treat it like it's supposed to be a super fun collection of the best talent in the world.

Love it love it love it.

[hamstercaster 2]

At the end of the day it won't do anything more for the fans. Wether all of the players are chosen by fans, the league, their peers, the NHL All Star game sucks. You get a bunch of players that go there because they simply have too as most if not all of them would much rather skip the game and rest instead of going out for a beer league style of hockey game. The All Star skills competition is where the real fun for the players and the crowd alike is at. The All Star game itself is a snore fest at best and a disaster waiting to happen in the sense that a star player could get injured and have to miss any lenght of time which in the end is more detrimental to him, the team and the fans paying big money to watch their teams play. Yes injuries can also happen during the season but at least it happens when the games are worth something. The All Star game is worth nothing.

[RadioGaGa 162]

The NHL has to lose the idea that the ASG is meant to attract new fans to hockey.

The Outdoor Game and the playoffs attract a new audience...the ASG is a chance to 'reward' the exsisting fans with a fun showcase of skill, have a few laughs...the fanfest idea gives more opportunity to meet players and intereact 1 on 1 with the existing fanbase.

But, no one who watches the ASG would be so excited that they would HAVE to see more hockey.

Having said that...this wrinkle in how the teams are picked will be entertaining...for those of us who are already rabid fans.

[Jason Harris 31]

If I understand correctly, it's basically schoolyard sports. Not a bad little gimmick, although I'd hate to be Mr. Irrelevant!

(For those who don't know, Mr. Irrelevant is the name that has been given to the last player picked in the NFL Draft, although a couple of Mr. Irrelevants have gone on to forge an NFl career. Still, if this All Star Draft is going to be a live event, it would stink knowing that you were effectively the Player To Be Named Later when they call your name last....)

[hamstercaster 2]

If I understand correctly, it's basically schoolyard sports. Not a bad little gimmick, although I'd hate to be Mr. Irrelevant!

(For those who don't know, Mr. Irrelevant is the name that has been given to the last player picked in the NFL Draft, although a couple of Mr. Irrelevants have gone on to forge an NFl career. Still, if this All Star Draft is going to be a live event, it would stink knowing that you were effectively the Player To Be Named Later when they call your name last....)

Yeah it will be like the little brother who gets picked last by his older brother cause he has no other choice to do so cause his mom said so lol

[sickwilly 37]

The last guy picked would still be playing in the all star game. One option might be to make the most senior skaters (or the one with the most ASG appearances) captains. One from each conference.

[Chadd 916]

It won't make the game any better but it will be an interesting twist. If you want to make the game better, put some money on the line. Winning team gets $1M, $2M or whatever to give to their preferred charities.

[chippa13 1844]

Last I heard was that the captains will be voted on by the pool of players.

[EBondo 233]

I had heard an idea popped around of using the previous year's Stanley Cup Final captains. Any thoughts/opinions on that? I think it makes sense.

[NextBobbyOrr 0]

i know they had the idea before and it would definitely make the game more interesting - but what is to stop the captains from just picking all guys that they are good friends with? or what happens when the perennial all star that is about to retire doesn't get picked? maybe you just dont worry about it - but im sure those questions will be brought up.

Well, they said they wanted to imitate the kind of pick-up hockey, schoolyard play feel. I kinda think that picking your friends is a big part of it. I'll bet there are tons of players who have friends from junior or whatever from different conferences. If so, that kinda play with your pals thing seems kinda appealing to me.

Oh and Ebondo, I dunno if this if fully correct. But this is what I heard on TSN.

Umm I just heard this off Tsn. I dunno whether or not it's exact but here it is.

-league/people(I think) votes 42 players into game.

-Out of the 42 they will vote for 4 captains.

-Then the 4 captains draft, go play.

My question is, would this mean there'll be 4 different all star jerseys? Or just alternating between the main two?

[bandits_5 18]

I heard that in 2012 they'll just throw all the sticks in the middle of the ice and make teams outdoor rink style.

+1 , thats too funny!

[yrhmblnr8r 69]

Yeah it will be like the little brother who gets picked last by his older brother cause he has no other choice to do so cause his mom said so lol

Cool. Let's make the last guy picked wear

[chippa13 1844]

Well, they said they wanted to imitate the kind of pick-up hockey, schoolyard play feel. I kinda think that picking your friends is a big part of it. I'll bet there are tons of players who have friends from junior or whatever from different conferences. If so, that kinda play with your pals thing seems kinda appealing to me.

Oh and Ebondo, I dunno if this if fully correct. But this is what I heard on TSN.

Umm I just heard this off Tsn. I dunno whether or not it's exact but here it is.

-league/people(I think) votes 42 players into game.

-Out of the 42 they will vote for 4 captains.

-Then the 4 captains draft, go play.

My question is, would this mean there'll be 4 different all star jerseys? Or just alternating between the main two?

Ummmmm.........the captains will select the 2 teams. Not sure why there would be 4 jerseys.

[RussianDangler15 0]

I heard that the players will vote for the captains.... thank god now theres much less of a chance for this to turn into ovechkin vs crosby.