Firstly thanks for all the feedback over the weekend. Moving forward you’ll be seeing changes right away and I’m going to start with the name of the column. As I’ve written a few times before I’ve never really liked the name ‘The Daily Show’ because I wanted something more original. I didn't came up with anything great so I stuck with it but I think now I’m going to switch to ‘The Daily Slapshot’, unless anyone has a better suggestion. Let me know today if you have any other ideas, otherwise I’m sending the new name to our amazing web team because they surely don’t have enough to do already. Also, if any graphic designers want to come up with a cool logo I’ll definitely incorporate it into the new and improved column.
But enough about that, let’s get to hockey. The All-Star game has come and gone, and who can forget the West victory. Or was it the East? At least we got a close game but really when it comes down to it if nobody in the game cares whether they win or lose then what’s the point of watching? I mentioned during the week that I certainly understand why there’s an All-Star weekend – it’s a great event for kids and sponsors. And really if that’s all it is then there’s nothing wrong with that. Just make sure that you’re giving access to as many kids as possible to all the events and that the sponsors have a good time and in the end it’s a valuable weekend for the league.
Now, if you actually want to showcase the game instead of focusing on red carpets, autograph sessions and parties (which can still certainly be a part of the weekend) then you have to give the players something to play for. And I don’t subscribe to the theory that it should be a big pile of cash. The last thing we need to watch is a bunch of multi-millionaires playing their hearts out for a hundred grand or two. Wouldn’t that just make you angry that all those years they weren’t trying because they didn’t have enough financial incentive?
Here’s an idea I came up with this weekend that’s kind of still a work in progress. All-Star weekend is a fantastic opportunity to sell the game of hockey. Which means that you need the product on the ice to look like hockey. How do you get the players to try? Pride and fear.
How about the CHL Top Prospects against the NHL rookies and the AHL All-Stars against the NHL All-Stars? There are two alternatives on how to select the CHL/AHL teams. You can either have the teams that win the CHL and AHL All-Star teams come in for NHL All-Star weekend, or you can have the coaches from those games select the best players from the two teams to reward those who perform well.
Friday night you start off with a game between NHL Legends and Celebrities/other athletes. Something short and fun and with at least a few big names involved on both sides. Then do a short skills competition with players from all leagues, taking maybe the two most popular competitions plus the James Duthie shootout, which does have potential to be a lot of fun with some changes moving forward.
Saturday night is the CHL top prospects against the NHL rookies, with all the other players spread out in the stands amongst the kids (you try and get as many tickets as possible in the hands of local youth teams and school) and then you top off the night with a concert – somebody popular that people actually would want to see.
Sunday is the All-Star game. Making the team is a real honour because the amount of players chosen has been cut in half (one team instead of two). The AHLers really want to make a name for themselves, and get noticed so I’m sure you’ll see more hits in a period than you’ve seen in the last 10 years of All-Star play. If the NHL team blows them out at least they will be displaying their skills against an opposition who is trying. If the AHL team keeps it close it will make for a fantastic game. If the AHL team wins it will reflect poorly on the NHL players involved, and I’m sure they would do everything in their power to avoid that kind of humiliation.
So there’s my All-Star weekend. Some logistics would have to be figured out in terms of scheduling/travel for all leagues involved but I think it has some merit. By injecting some more youth and players with something to prove, you’ll be able to showcase the game for what it really is – the greatest sport on the Planet.
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Two more thoughts from the weekend:
* My favorite moment from the game was watching Elliotte Friedman interviewing Alyssa Milano. Elliotte, being the ultimate pro that he is, treated the interview in the same manner that he would if he was interviewing the Commissioner. He did a great job (as usual) and kept his poise right to the very end when he was thanking her. I think the two shared a moment (she may have confused him for a pitcher) as she looked into his eyes and said “Thank you so much”. He went to throw it back to Jim Hughson but instead said “Liz” and then stopped himself and changed it to “Jim…” Probably the first and only time you’ll ever see Elliotte even the slightest bit flustered, and I don’t blame him at all..
* One thing that can be taken away and applied in the games is that fantastic camera angle for shootouts where the cameraman skates behind the shooter filming. I’ve said before that the league should find a way to use that for regular season games.
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Elsewhere in the league..
* I don’t want to be repetitive but David McNab can’t get enough credit for the work that he’s done with the Ducks. Even before Selanne, this team was a heavy favorite to win the Cup. Now they’ve added another Hall of Famer and still have cap space to be a player at the deadline. I’m not really going out on a limb when I say that the Ducks are now the team to beat. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Burke had another trick up his sleeve too – and if you think they haven’t already figured out how to fit Perry in for next year, you’re not giving that duo nearly enough credit.
* What a mess in Ottawa. I know I’m in the minority but I’d still try and salvage the relationship with Ray Emery. He needs to grow up for sure, but I wouldn’t give up on him just yet. I would however give him a veteran roommate who makes sure he gets to practice and teaches him how to act like a professional hockey player. Most players don’t need that kind of supervision but you can’t tell me you never knew a guy who was more than a little immature at age twenty-five and then one day all of a sudden figured it all out. Barring an unexpected deal, Emery still represents the Sens’ best chance in net come the Spring.
* Ted Purcell put on a great show in the AHL All-Star game tonight, taking home the MVP, and will surely rejoin the Kings as they embark on a very long road trip. Purcell is just 22 and looks like he has a very bright future in Los Angeles.
* There has been a great deal of talk in the last couple days about Fabian Brunnstrom and it would be no to me surprise if the rumours were correct and he chose Detroit. What’s not to like about playing for the Red Wings, especially for a young Swede?
* I’m not going to get into the Leafs’ GM situation again now, but I did want to say that I really like Gord Kirke and although I did call him a “Peddie-friendly” choice the other day, I think he was a great selection for the committee.
* What a great moment during the Brian Leetch ceremony when he announced that they’d be back next season to honour Adam Graves. I’m not going to judge whether four retired players is too much for a one-Cup team (not a dynasty) but it was really awesome to see the look on Graves’ face – he was completely floored.
* If someone casually mentioned to Cliff Fletcher that the Leafs were 11-6-1 in Vesa Toskala’s last 18 starts, would he suddenly go into full buying mode?
* Very interesting to see Paul Kelly pushing back for the first time. It’s really early in the process but he’s looking like he’s exactly what the PA needed.
* Not much talk about the hit from behind on Downie right before the break. I wonder why nobody is calling for a suspension in this one..
* Two fascinating stories that completely flew under the radar recently:
1. Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News reported that the Sabres had the League bring in an investigator and conduct hearings with Biron, Gagne, Gauthier and Holmgren to determine whether the Flyers tampered with Briere. So far the investigation has revealed nothing except that the Sabres really need to let it go and move on.
2. Jean-Francois Begin of La Presse reported that Jim Balsillie had talks a little while back with the Atlanta Spirit group, regarding the Thrashers. Depending on how that whole legal situation with Atlanta ownership shakes down, this could become a big story at some point.
Lastly, as part of the new and improved “Daily Slapshot” I’m going to be creating a new holiday. It’s called “Create a Hockey Fan Day” or CHFD for short. Not sure when or how it will work yet but essentially everyone who reads this column on a regular basis will be expected to either introduce hockey to a new fan or re-introduce it to someone who used to be a fan, on a certain date. That could include taking them to a game, inviting them over or out to watch a game, buying some merchandise for their birthday, etc. The idea is still in its early stages so suggestions are welcome. I figure it’s not a secret that the league can use some help growing the game with casual fans, so who better to help than you guys?
Feels like it’s been a while since we’ve been able to watch hockey so Tuesday night will be great with 11 games on the schedule:
Nashville at Boston
Pittsbugh at New Jersey
Ottawa at NY Islanders
Los Angeles at Philadelphia
NY Rangers at Carolina
Phoenix at Columbus
Buffalo at Tampa Bay
St. Louis at Toronto
Washington at Montreal
San Jose at Edmonton
Dallas at Vancouver
Enjoy the games,
Danny -
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