After watching the NHL All-Star Festivities this weekend, it is apparent to me that the league should be commended for thinking outside the box. Knowing that it cannot gain any market share with the other major sports “as is,” the NHL is adopting new thought processes and physical elements to entice a broader spectrum of viewers. This concept can get a little dicey as the purists of the game may be turned off from the radical changes. The NHL is the only professional league willing to go the extra mile to increase its popularity as well as keep the tradition of its past alive. The infamous lockout of 2004 may have been a true blessing in disguise for the NHL, for it developed the Competition Committee which analyzes and addresses league operations and identifies areas to improve the product on the ice. Since its infant stages, the group has altered many rules which would have been thought impossible prior to the work stoppage. (In my next blog, I will look at those rule changes to see how they have each affected the game, for better or for worse and I will also comment on any other tweaks that may be necessary for the continuing growth of the NHL.)
With all the changes that have taken place in the league, the All-Star Game was left relatively untouched. Omitting the game last year due to the Olympic break allowed the Competition Committee the time to focus on improving the overall experience for its fans. The most notable modifications that were accepted included the player draft and a tweak in the skills competition. When I first heard about the All-Star Draft, I was a bit skeptical about how it would pan out. The first that came to my mind was, “Who would be the poor guy that was not picked and left sitting there as the television cameras panned in on him?” I know these guys are professional athletes and that this is the All-Star Game, but they are still competitive by nature. Their skill levels are what make them professionals; when you add their ultra-competitive being to the equation, it makes the player become a superstar. So I felt a bit for the last guy, in this case Phil Kessel. Watching the last few picks was quite uncomfortable, but overall I would rate the draft as a success. Perhaps to combat the high school gym class phobia of being the last man standing, maybe the last 5 or so picks could be drawn out of a hat. Making millions of dollars a year and being a NHL player does not alleviate that down feeling we can all remember from our youth.
With the NHL already having mainstay events such as the fastest skater, breakaway competition, and the fan favorite, hardest shot contest, it did not have to tinker with its overall menu. But in the theme of the post-lockout NHL, it did. The Competition Committee added an obstacle course type of event that showcased players’ abilities in a wide variety of ways. Different players were involved in one-timers, stick-handling, and passing stations throughout the rink. As a relay race, each participant could not proceed until his teammate had completed his responsibility. I really enjoyed the passing aspect that took place at center ice, with each participant having to pass a puck into small nets that were placed throughout the zone. This was the ultimate showcase to illustrate the play making abilities these players have that some fans may have been unaware or taken for granted.
Overall, I think that NHL All-Star Game and the festivities were a success. As with anything in today’s NHL, nothing is set in stone to be the same for next year. One thing can be said for the league: It is not afraid to try to better itself with its changing attitude of direction. Success or failure cannot be found if you do not at least try.
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