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How to Fix the All-Star Vote |
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I've had enough Jets angst on Twitter this AM to begin dissecting down the game from last night and dealing with the finger pointing at players. Let's summarize it this way:
Enstrom is better than Stuart, even at twice the money.
Moving on the great news today is that John Scott is taking part in the all-star game and will captain the Pacific division team.
Hate the game not the player.
Scott never put himself forward to be an all-star, nor did he create the nomination and voting process. All John Scott did was try to earn a living and keep his career going by doing what many now describe as a repugnant job of semi-pugilism and a bit of hockey.
That did not prevent the hockey world from descending on Scott and the NHL and drawing unwarranted attention to a flawed system. The penalty for the flaw was to be on Scott, and no one else.
Now it's time to fix the system to prevent something, that some would tell you is mocking the player (a laughable analysis), that should not have happened. Well it did happen and probably not for the right reasons, or at least the ones with the narrative of being mean to Scott promote.
It's a mockery of the voting process and that has nothing to do with Scott. In fact it's a form of flattery that he was the one chosen. There are more players who define journeyman veteran that are not of all-star ilk than there are all-stars. Scott is almost a figurehead and representative for the ones that play the game and get undressed and embarrassed by the all-stars and face social media scorn after. He gives the proverbial 'hat tip' to the players who end up in endless Twitter .gifs and Vines of incompetence and bad luck.
In fact maybe there should be a 'John Scott' at every all-star game?
However most fans and certainly the NHL want the problem gone and that's what we should attempt here.
1. Make a ballot for the players by division.
If the teams are going to be by division based on a 3-on-3 tournament then make the players create the ballot based on their division.
2. Put parameters in place for what constitutes an 'all-star' calibre player on the ballot and how many per team.
This will help the players aim towards what best defines an all-star whether it be points, hits or Corsi rating.
3. Open the voting up to the fans to vote for the pre-selected players on the ballot and proceed.
It's that simple.
If players think Mark Stuart or Derek Engelland are having an all-star year then they probably are and let it stand. It's their game, their time and their choice. The fans only create the final list and then it's over and done.
The bigger point here is that there has been way too much targeting at John Scott and not enough at the problem. Furthermore, the amount of pundits who are able to determine motivation of the masses in voting is amazing too me. You've have a much more lucrative career in politics if you were that good.
I'm glad John Scott can play for who he represents in the NHL. All-stars need opposition and I think John Scott will do and admirable job representing all the players who never get a chance to be at the all-star game. Maybe it's time they get a regular chance too.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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