For the most part, fans do a great job selecting their stars, but All-Star Game voting is never without controversy. Evidence the results for this year's extravaganza, which will be played Sunday in Sunrise, Fla.
Hometown favorite Sandis Ozolinsh got in thanks to some ballot stuffing by Panthers fans, while Brian Leetch, Nikolai Khabibulin and Patrick Roy were voted in despite subpar seasons. The leagues makes its share of mistakes, too, when it comes to the reserves (Come on! Jarome Iginla over Milan Hejduk?), but the voting process for starters is what needs altering.
The players and coaches should have some say in the starters, much like in the NFL where fan votes count for 1/3 and players/coaches votes count for 2/3. I like the fact that the fans get to see who they want, so maybe a 2/3-to-1/3 split in favor of the fans would be a good system for the NHL.
The league isn't without fault in the balloting, either. Chris Pronger and Steve Yzerman were on the ballots despite it being common knowledge that they would miss at least the first half of the season while recovering from major knee surgeries. Marty Turco wasn't on the ballot despite it being common knowledge that he would be the starter in Dallas. The fact that the voting closes a month before the game doesn't help. Voting closed on New Year's Eve, but the starters weren't announced until Jan. 11. Does it really take a week and a half to count the votes?
Voter apathy has become a bit of a problem for the NHL, as well. Kobe Bryant received 1,474,386 to lead the NBA All-Star balloting, nearly nine times the 164,568 votes of NHL leader Nicklas Lidstrom. The NBA draws far more television viewers and online readers, but the leagues have similar attendance figures.
The SuperSkills competition may get some renewed life by the return to the East vs. West format.
A new fastest skater will be crowned, with Sami Kapanen not around to try for a third title in four years. Sergei Fedorov is a good bet to win his second speed title, though Martin St. Louis or Paul Kariya could give him a run for his money.
After a one-year absence, Al MacInnis looking to regain his hardest shot crown. Fedorov and Fredrik Modin have taken it the past two years, but Big Mac has won it six of the 12 times it has been contested.
Kariya will go for his fifth straight puck control relay indidivual title. Last year's co-winners Iginla and Markus Naslund are both back in the accurate shot event -- or as we like to informally call it: the Ray Bourque Award.
Patrick Roy is the only returning netminder to have taken the individual goaltending award. Roy shared it with Dominik Hasek last year and won it previously in 1991 and 1994, too.
And in the main event? I'm saying West 9, East 7, with Naslund taking home MVP honors.
Shutout streaks If scoring is up, then how come so many teams are embarking on long shutout streaks? Two of the five longest individual shutout streaks have taken place this season, as well as three of the 10 longest team streaks.
Martin Biron had his shutout streak stopped at 221:58 in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Sens. That was the fifth-best run without a goal against in NHL history, but just the second-longest this season. Jean-Sebastien Giguere kept opponents off the board for 237:07 from Dec. 6-18.
Giguere's individual feat was surpassed by a tag-team effort from the Ottawa trio of Patrick Lalime, Martin Prusek and Ray Emery. Lalime did the brunt of the work, but the threesome went unscored upon for 244:47 from Jan. 8-16, the fifth-longest team stretch in NHL history.
Eight of the top 15 individual shutout streaks have come in the past seven seasons, and 11 of the top 17 team streaks have happened in the past eight seasons. Clearly, we are in an age of unprecedented goaltending prowess. The obstruction rules boosted scoring slightly, but more athletic goalies, larger equipment and rules that protect them still give the netminders the upper hand.
Hull of a thing to say, Brett The owners must've been licking their chops when they read what Brett Hull wrote in a guest column in The Hockey News about player salaries. Never one to mince words, Hull says he doesn't believe that the players will be able to cut a deal for a new collective bargaining agreement that doesn't include a salary cap. Imagine the stunned reaction of NHLPA president Bob Goodenow, a former agent of Hull. "I think salaries have risen to the point where we, the players, should be satisfied," Hull wrote in The Hockey News.
He expanded on that to The Canadian Press. "Bob Goodenow will kill me, but if we're going to be realistic about things probably 75 percent of the league is overpaid. But we're not paying ourselves. There are people giving it to us. No one is putting a gun to their head. Something has to be done if we're going to fix this. I don't think there can be a stoppage. I don't think the game can afford it, especially up here in Canada where it's vital we at least have this many teams."
Goodenow is reported to have told some player reps to prepare for work stoppage of up to 18 months. But if the influential and outspoken Hull can convert a few key veterans, perhaps September, 2004 won't be thought of as such a dreary date.
Ottawa @ Dallas -- Monday, 8 p.m. EST The stars will be out in South Florida over the weekend, but the two best teams in the NHL will get it on deep in the heart of Texas. Dallas is a league-best 16-2-3-1 at home. The Sens top the league with 167 goals and the Stars are third with 156, but they also are two of the five best defensive teams, so a high-scoring affair is no cinch.
Detroit @ New Jersey -- Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST Winners of five of the past eight Stanley Cups, the Red Wings and Devils played an exciting overtime game in Detroit the night before Thanksgiving. The Wings won 3-2 in overtime on Kris Draper's goal moments after the Devils had a goal waved off. New Jersey is 8-0-1-1 in its past 10 games, while Detroit is just 4-5-0-1.
Philadelphia @ New Jersey -- Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EST The Devils lead the Flyers by one point in the Atlantic Division, as the two teams are running away from the mediocre Islanders, Penguins and Rangers. Either Philly or Jersey will likely end up as the tough-luck fourth seed in the East, victimized by the NHL's seeding policies. Whoever wins the Southeast champ will probably be 15 points worse than the Atlantic runner-up, but will get the three-seed.
Colorado @ N.Y. Rangers -- Thursday, 8 p.m. EST The Avs may be having a bit of a disappointing season, but they only play Broadway once a year. Even with Joe Sakic and Derek Morris out of the lineup, Colorado still offers Rob Blake, Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk and Patrick Roy to put up on the MSG marquee. The Rangers better enjoy the comforts of home while they can, because nine of their first 11 games after the All-Star break are on the road.
Plus: Zac Bierk The younger brother of Skid Row lead singer Sebastien Bach is a perfect example of youth gone wild. With Sean Burke and Brian Boucher out with injuries, the 26-year-old Bierk has stopped 246 of 255 shots since being called up from AHL Springfield. Bierk's 1.15 goals-against average and .965 save percentage could create a goalie controversy when the Coyotes get healthy.
Minus: Jordan Leopold The Flames rookie blueliner won the 2002 Hobey Baker Award at Minnesota but struggled from the outset in his rookie season before getting sent down to the AHL this week. Darryl Sutter had some harsh (but accurate) words for Leopold, who is just the latest defenseman to come out of the NCAA ranks (see Jeff Jillson) and struggle in adapting to the NHL. Leopold was named to the YoungStars Game, but a replacement will probably be named this week.
Plus: Dany Heatley There's hot and then there's Heatley hot. After scoring just 12 goals in the first 37 games, Heatley has nine in the past seven, including two hat tricks in 12 days. The 2002 Calder Trophy winner has 47 points in 44 games (on pace for 83 points), and will play in the first of what is sure to be many All-Star Games.
Minus: Mats Sundin The Leafs' captain has flatlined since scoring four points in his first four games back from a left shoulder injury. Sundin has no points and just three shots in his past four games. After scoring 15 points in the first 11 games, Sundin has just 24 points in the 33 games since.
Plus: The Hockey News' makeover Long regarded as the Bible of hockey, THN is ditching is tabloid newsprint format for a gorgeous new full-color, stapled, 11-inch squared look. The mag will still have its excellent team reports from local correspondants, but will beef up the editorial content with more opinion pieces. Already a steal at $49.95 for 42 issues, THN is evolving into the 21st century in grand style.
Minus: Tyler Arnason The Blackhawks rookie has more bar fights than points lately. Outed by the local papers as one of the partcipants in last week's Columbus strip club brawl, Arnason has just two points in the past 14 games and appears to have hit the rookie wall. He is losing momentum to Rick Nash, Barret Jackman and others in the ract for the Calder Trophy, despite the fact that he is still third in rookie scoring.
Plus: Stop stickers What a simple, but potentially very effective idea. These small stop-sign stickers are designed to go on the back of helmets -- and perhaps the back of jerseys, too -- to serve as a last-second reminder to a player approaching from behind not to check someone into the boards. Championed by Don Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada, these stickers have been endorsed by Bauer/Nike, and other manufacturers are sure to follow suit. Interested parties can e-mail stopsticker@bauernike.com or call (905)363-3200 for more details.
"The last three games have been a lot more fun than the first 30-something."
-- Avs goaltender Patrick Roy, after recording his second consecutive shutout on Saturday against the Leafs.
"That hurt. I've been in this league for seven years, and it hurt. It was probably something to do with it, but that was never, ever taken off the table. We never wanted to discuss a contract with Boston, and they never changed it with us. It's the fact that I was offered that. It stung."
-- New Sharks defenseman Kyle McLaren, on being insulted at the Bruins' offer of a two-way contract.
"We continue to make progress, but people need to understand this is an incredibly complex negotiation which requires a great deal of time and attention."
-- Prospective Sabres owner Mark Hamister, after being granted a fourth one-week extension in his efforts to secure the purchase of the financially troubled team.
"I've been a coach for a long time and I've seen this before. This is why hockey is the best game going. Hockey is an emotional game and one that can change in an instant. We didn't think the Ducks had anything going in the third period until that power play."
-- Kings head coach Andy Murray, after a thrilling 6-5 loss to the Ducks on Wednesday.
"I made a bad decision. Whatever the consequences are, I'm fully aware. I'll deal with the consequences when they happen."
-- Blackhawks right wing Theo Fleury, before it was ruled that he hadn't violated his aftercare program in last Sunday's brawl at a strip club in Columbus, Ohio.
Rick Nash, LW, Blue Jackets The top pick of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft has been one of the most consistent rookies. Nash missed Saturday's game against Islanders, but is listed as day-to-day and should return this week in time to take part in the YoungStars Game. He had points in eight of 12 games prior to suffering the hip pointer injury on Thursday at Colorado.
Nash is a team-worst minus-15 and has a lot of work to do defensively to live up to his advance billing as the next Brendan Shanahan. But he has exceeded the offensive expectations most people put on him. He doesn't turn 19 until June 16, so a 40-point season would be very impressive and make him worthy of Calder Trophy consideration.
2
Points needed by Mario Lemieux to tie Wayne Gretzky's All-Star record of 25.
13
All-Star appearances by Devils defenseman Scott Stevens, the most of any player in this year's game.
99.2
Average mph of the winning slap shot in the 12 years of the hardest shot contest, including Al Iafrate's record 105.2 mph blast in 1993.
116
Points pace by the Ottawa Senators, who currently lead the league with 71 points through 50 games.
Our latest best guess at what the postseason seeding will look like.
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Ottawa Senators
Dallas Stars
New Jersey Devils
Detroit Red Wings
Washington Capitals
Vancouver Canucks
Philadelphia Flyers
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs
Minnesota Wild
Boston Bruins
Colorado Avalanche
New York Islanders
Edmonton Oilers
Montreal Canadiens
Chicago Blackhawks
Each week during the season, this space will be devoted to your comments on a particular issue.
Last week's topic: What is your favorite part of the NHL's All-Star weekend?
The best part about the All-Star Game is the fan zone interactive and skills competiton. I was never been a fan of the World team versus North America -- it's the NHL All-Star Game, not the Olympics -- so I am at least glad to see the East versus West return. I am more a traditionalist, and even would like to see the original format of the Cup Champions versus an All-Star team on the champs' home ice. Or better yet the Prince of Wales Conference versus the Campbell Conference. Otherwise, I just don't care about it. Peter Bedford Dunbarton, N.H.
The skills competition is the best part. We get a chance to see the finest skaters and shooters in the game show their skills. The All-Star Game is not a hockey game, it's a shooting gallery that makes goalies look foolish because no defense is offered on their behalf. To be legitimate, the All-Star Game should include players that are willing to make hits, block shots and play a complete game. We expect that from our teams during the season and it hurts the integrity of the game when during the All-Star break we send out players that only concentrate on play in the offensive zone Rob Eaton, Buffalo N.Y.
Without doubt, the best part of NHL All-Star weeked has to be the final buzzer at the end of the third period. The All-Star Game better resembles Disney's Stars On Ice than an actual hockey game. High scoring, no hitting -- what a joke! I long for the days when the defending Stanley Cup Champions battled it out with the best from the rest of the league. Ryan Coleman, Langley, British Columbia
My favorite part of the NHL All-Star Weekend is the end of it and the return to the regular season. Only the NFL's Pro Bowl is a poorer exhibition of a professional sport's elite players. Intensity is a critical element of an entertaining hockey or football game and those sports' respective all-star formats lack any semblance of it. Chris Chivers, Toronto
The best thing is meeting the player's wives, whom are usually all very pretty, fun, bright and sweet to talk to. Of all the major sports in North America, hockey player's wives are consistently the nicest group of women. They treat people with respect and kindness. They are friendly and sympathetic and they are very knowledgeable about their husband's job. Unlike the wives of NBA players or MLB player's hockey wives don't automatically think they are better than you because of who they are. And overall, no group of wives do more charity work in their respective communities than do hockey wives. The women of hockey are wonderful and they deserve some major credit for making the game the coolest sport on Earth. Jennifer Zach, Montreal
That Steve Yzerman is due back soon. Players of his stature come along all too infrequently. The All-Star Game itself? No, can't think of anything. Scott Wilson, Malibu, Calif.
The YoungStars Game. Watching Ilya last year got me hooked on it. John Bertieri, Natrona Heights, Pa.
The best thing about the All Star weekend is when it's over. The game is a farce and everyone knows it. The only good thing about the weekend is that I get to try and get out of the dog house by spending time with the family rather than watching hockey every night. Curtis Boldt, Camrose, Alberta
The best part of the NHL All-Star Weekend is when the final horn blares Sunday night and the awful excuse for entertainment is over. We can then get back to real hockey. It's by far the absolute worst of all major league All-Star events. No hitting, no intensity, no defense, means no interest -- one big YAWN. John F. Reid, Toronto
The player introductions. Unlike baseball and basketball, you get the feeling these guys really feel honored at being selected whether it's the first or 10th time. Maybe they're snowing us, but they seem to have more respect for history of their sport than sports where guys think of excuses in order to not have to play. Peter Pollak, Albany, N.Y.
How can you not get pumped up for the Skills Competition? I look forward to it every year. As a former player it's unreal to see Paul Kariya stickhandle through the cones, John LeClair unload a 98 mph canon, or the days when Ray Bourque would go 4 for 4 in the accuracy contest. You've gotta love a minute of Jocelyn Thibault facing Mario Lemieux, Eric Lindros, Jaromir Jagr and Mats Sundin on repetitive breakaways or Brendan Shanahan unloading wristers from the crease. The NHL skills competition is possibly the best sporting event of the year. Brink McBrair, Denver
When it's over. All-Star Games, in any sport, mean nothing and are a meaningless delay of the playoff races. Sure, it may be nice to see a few goals scored between hockey's All-Star clubs, but I'd much rather watch a game with a little more intensity and something for which to play. Jeff Rademacher, Kinston, N.C.
Usually it's the game itself. I love the hitting and gritty defense in a regular-season game, but it's fun to watch unmitigated offense occasionally, too. This year however, I am really excited by the prospect of the Kings suffering no more than one injury in an entire five-day stretch! Michael Milberg, El Segundo, Calif.
Watching Patrick Roy let in five or six goals. But what else do you expect form a Red Wings fan! Sean Morgan, Elgin, Ill.
This week's topic: Which arena offers the best home-ice advantage?
Click here to send us your choice, with a short (75 words or less) explanation. Brevity and humor are good; naughty words and personal attacks are not so good. And don't forget to include your name, hometown and home state/province.
Jon A. Dolezar covers the NHL for CNNSI.com. "Week at a Glance" normally appears each Sunday during the regular season, but will be off next week for the All-Star break. It will return on Sunday, Feb. 9.
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Rick Nash, LW, Blue Jackets
