NHL All-Star Game: A Surprise Success
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL All-Star Game: Successful Weekend in Nashville
Much skepticism surrounded this year’s NHL All-Star festivities in Nashville. Overall, the weekend was a surprise success on many levels. Fans had fun, the players enjoyed themselves, and new 3-on-3 format brought forth better quality hockey than we’re used to seeing at NHL All-Star games.
In past years, floating, cherry-picking, and lack of backchecking were things that went unnoticed in 5-on-5 play. The new 3-on-3 system made for more competitive hockey because there’s no hiding on the ice, and players were forced to backcheck. It also gave us a great opportunity to see and appreciate the offensive abilities of the league’s best.
John Scott
For some reason, the NHL decided to allow fans to vote for any player instead of limiting their options. A social media movement led by a large group of individuals took it upon themselves to stuff the ballot for John Scott‘s inclusion. It wasn’t a majority vote, just a flaw in the voting system that the NHL allowed to happen.
Regardless of how you feel with John Scott taking the spot of Oliver Ekman-Larsson or Max Domi, fair or not, worked out for the most part. In a fast-paced 3-on-3 hockey environment, there were few times Scott looked out of place. Las Vegas even had prop lines for goals scored by John Scott, set a 0.5. It didn’t take long to shatter that mark. He even scored a beauty on his second in the first mini-game when Matt Duchene was on his tail, and he roofed it in a hurry.
Skills Competition
Overall, a fairly successful Skills Competition on Saturday night. Dylan Larkin shattered Mike Gartner‘s record as fastest skater (12.894 seconds).
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For 260lbs, Dustin Byfuglien moves really well. The captains were having fun when they included him the in event. On a side note, a man that big bearing down on you that quickly must feel like being hit by a pickup truck.
No surprise about Shea Weber winning the hardest shot. The surprise nod goes to Steven Stamkos, securing 2nd with a shot at 103.9 mph. P.K. Subban shooting 102.3 mph was impressive as well.
Wrap-Up
The Pacific Division won. John Scott wins NHL All-Star game MVP. It’s good that he was able to enjoy the experience for himself and with family, but it doesn’t change the fact it was undeserving. The players themselves did the right thing. They accepted him with open arms, and he ended up being a fan favorite.
Let’s call it the way it is. John Scott was given the pity treatment, by the league, fans, and players. He generated the biggest media crowd, and was ultimately named the All-Star MVP – but did he deserve it? It’s not a knock on John Scott himself, he’s done the right thing all along after being backed into a corner. This one’s on the NHL, and I’m not sure how you explain to future generations that John Scott was the MVP in the inaugural 3-on-3 mini-tournament.
In defense of the league, they saw an opportunity with their mistake in the flawed voting system. It was a case of any publicity is good publicity. John Scott got people talking about the game, and the league hoped it would draw enough attention to the event itself.
It looks as though the NHL will have its cake, and it eat too (as the opposite of the saying goes) after an overall successful NHL All-Star game. They managed to find a new format that not only interests the fans, but forces the players to stay more competitive. The John Scott saga went as smoothly as they could have hoped.
Fans haven’t been dealt their punishment… yet. Just because the weekend was a success doesn’t mean the NHL will allow open ballot write-ins of all players ever again. In fact, fans will be lucky to be given half as much control as they were limited to in 2015-16 with the ability to select four captains.
Here’s why limited control can be a problem. The 2017 NHL All-Star Game will be held in Los Angeles. If fans only have control of one or two players, imagine how Kings nation will influence the vote.
Next: NHL Skills Competition Predictions
We’re on a slippery slope to losing the fan vote in itself. For the ridiculous amount of money the NHL makes, all they ever tried to do was give back to its fans who pay their bills. Whether it was Rory Fitzpatrick, Zemgus Girgensons, or John Scott, the minority ruins it for the majority by ultimately flipping the bird to the NHL and making a mockery of its voting process. Instead of voiding obvious ballot stuffing, the entire NHL fan base gets punished. We won’t see it until next year, but it’s never too early to give a special thanks to those of you who made this possible.