NHL players are largely in favor of spicing up all-star festivities and playing for more than divisional prideGETTY IMAGES
The NHL is "in talks with players to bring what commissioner Gary Bettman called a 'distinct international flavour'" to the '21 All-Star Game in Florida, according to Stephen Whyno of the AP. It would be "not quite North America versus the World but more like a miniature three-on-three tournament with players representing the U.S., Canada and other top hockey countries." It is "not a replacement for the Olympics, but players are largely in favour of spicing up all-star festivities and playing for more than divisional pride." The NHL is five years into holding the three-on-three all-star tournament by division. Given the "success of the three-on-three, it would be silly to abandon it now." But after the league and players "couldn't come to an agreement on holding a World Cup of Hockey in the winter of 2021, an international all-star tournament would be a consolation prize" (AP, 1/26).
LOOKIN' FOR BETTER DAYS: In Ft. Lauderdale, Kevin Lerner noted the Panthers over the weekend officially were named host of the '21 NHL All-Star weekend at BB&T Center in Sunrise. This will be the "second time the Panthers will host the event," having already done so in '03 (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 1/26). In Boston, Matt Porter noted "freezing rain and a spitting of snow greeted the NHL's best and brightest for All-Star Weekend in St. Louis," but that "will not be the case next year." If anything is going to "curb the trend of stars choosing rest over representing at the league's midseason showcase, it's a vacation to nearby Fort Lauderdale, with its beaches, boats, and balmy seabreezes." One card the NHL could play to prevent stars from skipping out is to "rotate the event among more enticing locations, such as Vegas, Los Angeles, Tampa or Sunrise" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/25).
VEGAS BOUND? In Las Vegas, David Schoen noted when Golden Knights Owner Bill Foley was asked in April about Las Vegas hosting the NHL All-Star Game, he "went on record as being opposed to the idea." But he has since "softened his stance." Foley: "If the league wants us to hold an All-Star Game, I'm supportive of that. ... The way they put on the All-Star Game and events is fantastic for the fans and really good for the community. My reticence was related to the time drain on our business staff. But we're in much better shape. We're deeper now and more experienced. Our fans are all-in." He added '22 is "not too early, although it might be '23, '24 or '25." Foley: "When the league calls, we'll be ready." Schoen noted Las Vegas "reportedly was in the running" to host the '21 event. But Foley said that the decision to choose Florida was "made well in advance and he previously informed the league he did not believe his new staff was ready to handle the event-driven nature of All-Star weekend" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/26).
TOO LATE FOR PITTSBURGH: THE ATHLETIC's Rob Rossi noted the Penguins "played host to their last -- and only -- All-Star Game" in '90. Considering the draw of C Sidney Crosby and Penguins fans' "penchant for packing whatever arena in which they've played, it's at least a mild upset the All-Star Game hasn't been to Pittsburgh over the past decade." Penguins President & CEO David Morehouse and others see the "allure of building an All-Star weekend" around Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as a "deserving reward for two of the greatest players in franchise history." The problem is that time is "not on the Penguins' side." While All-Star locations for '22 and beyond "have not been announced and/or reported," the NHL "might prioritize" first-time cities like Las Vegas and Seattle (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/24)
THIS & THAT: The BOSTON GLOBE's Porter reviewed this weekend's All-Star events in St. Louis, noting the new Skills Competition ideas "were interesting, though they need tweaking." Also, the NHL "isn't likely to scrap a money-making idea, so it seems the virtual ads on the boards are here to stay." However, they were "distracting and annoying, and they'd be even more so with players on the ice" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/27). In Pittsburgh, Seth Rorabaugh wrote under the header, "What Happened To The NHL's All-Star Game?" Twelve players sat out Saturday's game "either because of personal choice or injury." At one time, the game "was a much bigger and anticipated event." Now, it "almost feels like little more than an interruption in the schedule" (TRIBLIVE.com, 1/24).
