It doesn’t matter what all-star game format you roll out there, it’s only going to work if it’s embraced by the players.
They are the stars, the show.
So as the NHL unveils plans for the new 3-on-3 tournament that will be held Jan. 31 in Nashville what really matters is the level of buy-in it receives inside dressing rooms. Of course, the players as a collective have already approved the four-team event through a recent vote conducted by the NHL Players’ Association.
Naturally, most of them like the fact a $1-million prize is now on offer to the winning squad, which amounts to a little less than $91,000 each on an 11-player team.
That helped ease any concerns about the potential wear-and-tear that will come with playing two 20-minute games with only six total skaters on the ice.
“It’s 40 minutes, I think, is all that’s going to be asked at the most,” Daniel Winnik, the Toronto Maple Leafs union rep, said Wednesday. “Christ, I’d do that for a chance at a million bucks. You’re not getting the million, but almost a hundred grand.
“You’re going to be well-compensated if you win.”
Each division will be represented with a team under the new format, with two goalies and nine skaters comprising rosters from the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Pacific and Central.
It’s a fairly big departure from the fantasy draft that has been used to pick teams for the last three all-star games. Alas, the draft is no more. The skills competition remains and will be followed by the 3-on-3 tournament the following day.
The only constant about the all-star game since it was established as a benefit match in 1947 has been change.
There’s been Stanley Cup champion vs. league all-stars, Campbell Conference vs. Wales Conference, North America vs. the World, and even Team (Nicklas) Lidstrom vs. Team (Eric) Staal.
“It’s not a bad idea to try something different,” Blackhawks all-star Patrick Kane told reporters in Edmonton.
“I just think the all-star game’s fantastic for those who attend it,” said Leafs coach Mike Babcock. “The times that I’ve been there I’ve had a great, great time. As far as being a spectator sport on TV it sure hasn’t been that.”
Last season’s game in Columbus was particularly tough on the eyes, with Team Toews beating Team Foligno 17-12. The repeated cannon blasts were about the only thing that kept everyone in the building awake.
It was evident to everyone from NHL officials to players to fans that changes were necessary.
“The general consensus amongst fans and players (is) that the game got a little stale and wasn’t very entertaining,” said Winnik. “It was pretty much just pond hockey with guys that didn’t care too much.”
So now we get a new innovation — for one trial year at least. There’s no harm in giving it a shot.
Throw some money down on the table and see if it adds enough incentive to get guys backchecking or possibly even mixing in some body contact. We’ve certainly seen several entertaining 3-on-3 overtimes since that was introduced this season and there’ll be a scary collection of skill brought together at Bridgestone Arena.
“I think that’ll be fun,” Senators GM Bryan Murray told reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday. “We’ve got to do something. The games, a 16-14 hockey game’s not a very fun game. There’s an incentive for the winning team. A fairly large one, I believe.
“I think it’ll be fun for a year or two, anyway.”
At least it’s a start.
Let’s hope enough of the big names agree.
