2009 NHL All-Star Skills Competition
Here's something interesting I heard from TSN a couple days ago. It's regarding the 2009 NHL All-Star Game that's taking place in Montreal's Bell Centre.
There are several potential changes coming to the skills competition just to spice things up a little bit. Here is Darren Dreger's column:
Dreger goes on the say that "a more likely scenario would see Guy Lafleur or any number of former starts take part in either a head to head with Brodeur - or Roberto Luongo - or a competition against the NHL's young guns." I actually like this idea, but it's still unclear what kind of competition is being discussed. So I'm kind of interested in where this idea is going. Hopefully it'll be something original and fun for all participants, as well as the fans at the Bell Centre and those watching around the world.
Cutting down on the number of events is also a good idea as these things usually drag on for a while and it tends to get boring. So going with just the hardest shot, fastest skater and shooting accuracy events is a good idea. Those are generally the most exciting events anyway.
Also discussed is "see[ing] all players shoot on NHL goalies with instant elimination. Only those players who score will advance until a winner is determined and potentially rewarded with a handsome donation to the charity of his choice." I like this idea as well as it's something entirely new and in the end, a good cause comes out of it. The only thing that I'd be uncertain about is how the goalies will exchange.
Lastly, "the slam-dunk style shootout" is also a pretty good idea that only made its debut last year was kind of neat. It's hard to come up with some original and creative ideas on the spot (like last year), so the idea of "involv[ing] pre-determined players, notified weeks in advance, shooting against a less qualified goaltender, be it a celebrity, or a goalie from another professional league such as the East Coast Hockey League," is a great idea in my opinion as well. I was thinking that maybe they could use some great goalies from the past participate in this event, but upon further thought, I'd nix the idea because it could potentially be embarrassing for them. I think celebrity goaltender should be the way to go. Any goaltender who makes a living out of hockey shouldn't be involved because of the potential embarrassment they could face.
All in all, I think all the new ideas to spice up this year's All-Star Game are good ones. Now it's up to the NHL brass to discuss and approve of them.
What do you guys think?
There are several potential changes coming to the skills competition just to spice things up a little bit. Here is Darren Dreger's column:
Dreger: Changes Coming To The Skills Competition?I think the idea of including some of the greats in hockey's past is a great idea. I'm sure it will be fun for everyone that is participating in the skill challenge. However, when Dreger states "a goaltending showdown between Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur," that doesn't really sell for me because I'm sure Roy will be very rusty, while Brodeur will be in mid-season form.
Darren Dreger
10/16/2008
The NHL's skills competition could have a new flavour to it when the Montreal Canadiens host All-Star Weekend in January.
The preliminary discussions have included NHL Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, NHL Executive Vice President of Programming and Production John Shannon and NHLPA Director of Player Affairs Glenn Healy.
The event celebrates the Canadiens' 100th anniversary and pending commissioner Gary Bettman's approval, there will be changes. Most notably, the effort to include some of hockey's greats of the past.
A goaltending showdown between Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur has been discussed, but a more likely scenario would see Guy Lafleur or any number of former stars take part in either a head to head with Brodeur - or Roberto Luongo - or a competition against the NHL's young guns.
The skills competition will be simplified, but the staples will include the hardest shot, the fastest skater and shooting accuracy event.
To generate additional entertainment, a couple of options are being considered.
The favoured option would see all players shoot on NHL goalies with instant elimination. Only those players who score will advance until a winner is determined and potentially rewarded with a handsome donation to the charity of his choice.
A second option is the slam-dunk style shootout and involves pre-determined players, notified weeks in advance, shooting against a less qualified goaltender, be it a celebrity, or a goalie from another professional league such as the East Coast Hockey League.
Players who accept their All Star invite may be in for a nice surprise, like a Rolex watch or something substantial to show the NHL's and the Players' Association's appreciation for those who give up their weekend for the growth of the game.
Like the rest of the ideas Campbell, Shannon and Healy will present by week's end, a free Rolex has to be cleared by the commissioner.
Dreger goes on the say that "a more likely scenario would see Guy Lafleur or any number of former starts take part in either a head to head with Brodeur - or Roberto Luongo - or a competition against the NHL's young guns." I actually like this idea, but it's still unclear what kind of competition is being discussed. So I'm kind of interested in where this idea is going. Hopefully it'll be something original and fun for all participants, as well as the fans at the Bell Centre and those watching around the world.
Cutting down on the number of events is also a good idea as these things usually drag on for a while and it tends to get boring. So going with just the hardest shot, fastest skater and shooting accuracy events is a good idea. Those are generally the most exciting events anyway.
Also discussed is "see[ing] all players shoot on NHL goalies with instant elimination. Only those players who score will advance until a winner is determined and potentially rewarded with a handsome donation to the charity of his choice." I like this idea as well as it's something entirely new and in the end, a good cause comes out of it. The only thing that I'd be uncertain about is how the goalies will exchange.
Lastly, "the slam-dunk style shootout" is also a pretty good idea that only made its debut last year was kind of neat. It's hard to come up with some original and creative ideas on the spot (like last year), so the idea of "involv[ing] pre-determined players, notified weeks in advance, shooting against a less qualified goaltender, be it a celebrity, or a goalie from another professional league such as the East Coast Hockey League," is a great idea in my opinion as well. I was thinking that maybe they could use some great goalies from the past participate in this event, but upon further thought, I'd nix the idea because it could potentially be embarrassing for them. I think celebrity goaltender should be the way to go. Any goaltender who makes a living out of hockey shouldn't be involved because of the potential embarrassment they could face.
All in all, I think all the new ideas to spice up this year's All-Star Game are good ones. Now it's up to the NHL brass to discuss and approve of them.
What do you guys think?
spun by b at 8:40 p.m.
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