His obligation is to his team....not to NHL marketing.
- Crushers68

Yup. Which is also why the NHL should stay out of the Olympics.

Howard to the Penguins in an another hilariously fake rumor.


Had you made this up a month or so ago before Murray's strong return, this could have at least been humored.

How many kids parents can actually afford to take them to an all star game? or for thay matter even a regular season game?

very few people can afford the nhl. its a game played by priveleged rich kids, that only the rich can afford to watch.

who cares what some millionaire athlete decides to do? the vast, vast majority of Ovechkins fans would be watching on tv anyways.

How many kids parents can actually afford to take them to an all star game? or for thay matter even a regular season game?

very few people can afford the nhl. its a game played by priveleged rich kids, that only the rich can afford to watch.

who cares what some millionaire athlete decides to do? the vast, vast majority of Ovechkins fans would be watching on tv anyways.
- Finkler

Good point. I went to the 2008 ASG in Atlanta (remember the Thrashers?) and it was predominantly men in suits who attended. Hardly any kids or families. Then they threw out the Jonus Bros (disgustingly awful) as between period entertainment. They couldn't have been further off in trying to reach their target market.

Skills competition:

shooting into tiny nets - wow, so thrilling!

save streak - aka, how many shooters does it take to cause a groin injury? boring

hardest shot - wgaf? Make them use wooden sticks and maybe I'll tune in for that one.

I hope only Kucherov gets selected for the Lightning and declines. The NHL can select all of the Toronto guys it wants for the Atlantic. I am sure the Bolts players could use the 10 days off to rest up getting ready for the second half.

"A perfectly healthy Alex Ovechkin has decided to skip the All-Star Weekend in San Jose to get some extra rest"

His obligation is to his team....not to NHL marketing. I'm fine with this.
- Crushers68

i think that's a bit oversimlified but in this case, this is a player who has done so much good for the NHL over the last 14 years, he's earned the right.

Puleeez no Simmons to TO. Every game I’ve seen him in this year, he was worse than junk.......turnover machine. Send him to Oilers.

Good point. I went to the 2008 ASG in Atlanta (remember the Thrashers?) and it was predominantly men in suits who attended. Hardly any kids or families. Then they threw out the Jonus Bros (disgustingly awful) as between period entertainment. They couldn't have been further off in trying to reach their target market.
- Crushers68

Last year in Tampa the Lightning allowed every season ticket member the option of buying all star game tickets but you had to buy the whole package for both days. For the upper bowl seats both skills comp and game the per ticket cost was $240 if I remember correctly. I bought two tickets and paid just shy of $500. Now thats not crazy expensive but it still adds up fast for people, then parking, food, etc.

The arena was full of families and kids because the Lightning made it that way with their offer. All the suits where in the club level of the arena. Overall if was good for Tampa and the Bolts even though I am not a huge fan of the ASG I still went and enjoyed myself.

Good point. I went to the 2008 ASG in Atlanta (remember the Thrashers?) and it was predominantly men in suits who attended. Hardly any kids or families. Then they threw out the Jonus Bros (disgustingly awful) as between period entertainment. They couldn't have been further off in trying to reach their target market.
- Crushers68

I was at the all star game in Ottawa and there was lots of kids there...

I hope only Kucherov gets selected for the Lightning and declines. The NHL can select all of the Toronto guys it wants for the Atlantic. I am sure the Bolts players could use the 10 days off to rest up getting ready for the second half.
- stammerman

All the players should just decline, then they can cancel the event

The All-Star game is garbage and Ovi has more than paid his dues when it comes to that horrible NHL PR stunt. He can do what he wants.

lol at people getting triggered over this

All the players should just decline, then they can cancel the event
- BestRapperAlive

They need the Radko Gudas' of the league to attend. Getting a kick out of seeing john scott and that latvian dude

The NHL still has an All-Star game? Also maybe a potential lockout message is being sent as well..

The NHL still has an All-Star game? Also maybe a potential lockout message is being sent as well..
- bmoreflyer

I think it has more to do with the Olympics

'A lot' and 'alot' mean very different things, ek. It also looked like you were trying to type with a heavy Bostonian accent up "thair"
- cnatch

Gramma polize fuch arf

What the heck are the Oilers going to give up for Simmonds?
- EugenesAxe

Pistol Pete trades a young pool party for old man Simmonds. Needs to spark Looch

Ovechkin skipping a game that nobody cares about is every bit as newsworthy as that trade.

Wow you guys get sand in your vajayjays about the ASG.

Tanners thread got locked already?

How many kids parents can actually afford to take them to an all star game? or for thay matter even a regular season game?

very few people can afford the nhl. its a game played by priveleged rich kids, that only the rich can afford to watch.

who cares what some millionaire athlete decides to do? the vast, vast majority of Ovechkins fans would be watching on tv anyways.
- Finkler

I'd argue the venue , some teams are practically giving tickets away.

Tanners thread got locked already?
- Woderwick

the thread lived a good life

Puleeez no Simmons to TO. Every game I’ve seen him in this year, he was worse than junk.......turnover machine. Send him to Oilers.
- Bullot

He has 18 giveaways in 39 games. His takeaways are down a bit (at only 13) but it's not like he's a "turnover machine."

He would add a dimension the Leafs are lacking: truculence.

I'd argue the venue , some teams are practically giving tickets away.
- Alexzanki

thats a fair point

i live in edmonton where th oilers cost a small fortune. i realize its not the same everywhere.

edit: as an oilers fan i am also very bitter about all things hockey after the last 15 years.[/img]