Comments on: Columnist: Lidstrom and Selanne shirking All-Star duties

By: michiganhockey11

michiganhockey11 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:58:08 +0000

Last time I wanted to go, Al Iafrate was breaking 105mph with an all-wood stick…..pansies.

By: michiganhockey11

michiganhockey11 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:57:57 +0000

Last time I wanted to go, Al Iafrate was brekaing 105mph with an all-wood stick…..pansies.

By: michiganhockey11

michiganhockey11 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:49:53 +0000

Why is this columnist complaining? Didn’t Ottawa have 4 of their players voted to the game this year?

By: michiganhockey11

michiganhockey11 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:41:07 +0000

Sure, as a kid, the skills competition was pretty cool. Who had the fastest/most accurate shot, fastest skaters, etc. The game was alright, but nothing great. Why the league forces the players to go and under penalty of 1 game suspension if they refuse is a bit mind-boggling. I know they want camera time of the guys to help promote the league, but have some common sense. Lidstrom and Selanne have been in the league a long time, paid their dues, etc. Yeah, Crosby won’t be at the All-Start game which left Bettman with his panties in a bunch about making sure to get other well known players to help carry the PR burden. I get it.

The All-Star game doesn’t matter. Asking the players to play together in an exhibition and risk injury midway through the season. Just like the Winter Classic (which shouldn’t be an every year). Cut the guys some slack and ask some real hockey fans how important the all-star game is.

Lidstrom-11 times voted to all-star game; did not play in at least 1 within the past 3 years

Selanne- Played in 10 all-star games

Again-cut the guys some slack. They’ve carried the burden a few times around the block.

By: rainyday56

rainyday56 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:53:20 +0000

Game should go back to it’s original format of allstars vs reigning cup champs. Could you imagine the Bruins going “Pete Rose” against the “pretty boys”of the NHL? Talk about rending kittens!

By: hibackhand

hibackhand — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:15:30 +0000

What have kittens done for us lately? Yarn ball batting is way down this year and yet saucers of cream consumption is on the rise.

By: pens919209

pens919209 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:41:45 +0000

The All Star game has always been a non-factor… the best players may all be on the ice at one time, but they aren’t playing their best. Namely, they have nothing to play for. I’d love it if they scrapped the All Star format and just had the World Cup of Hockey every few years (like in 1996) while making the Winter Classic the league’s annual marquee event/celebration of hockey. I won’t hold my breath, though.

Also, the last time I watched an actual All Star game was when the Penguins hosted it in 1990.

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:36:08 +0000

Not even close. You’re dead-on. That’s exactly right. It’s not. Fucking. Important. Ottawa columnists didn’t give a shit about it before it became about them, and that’s pretty typical of any All-Star host – they don’t care, then it comes to their town and it’s suddenly important.

In the end, it’s a show. It’s not really representative of the sport, and the greats shouldn’t feel obligated to show up – especially if they already have like nine million times. They’ve endured All-Star games before. They can take a break if they damn well feel like it.

By: pens919209

pens919209 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:21:24 +0000

Maybe I’m the lone voice here, but I never really cared for All Star games… in any sport. As for the NHL, I’d rather just watch the skills competition and call it a weekend.

And really, how surprised can you be that a columnist from Ottawa (the host of the game) is annoyed with these guys for not being there?