When you analyze the situation, it isn't hard to find an answer to the question I'm about to ask.
How is it that three great players from the Boston Bruins got snubbed from a start in the All-Star game, when the stats prove they are all among the league's elite?
This query can be answered with one simple word: marketing.
When you allow the fans to control who deserves to start in the NHL's annual exhibition of superstar talent, they will always vote for the people that the league markets as superstars.
So, in essence, the players that are continually shown on websites, television commercials, and profiles in newspapers will always win out because the fans would rather see flashy and amazing feats of greatness over grit and determination.
The average fan could care less that Savard is currently third in the league in point and first in plus/minus or that Thomas is fourth in the league in save percentage and goals against average. Another Bruin, Phil Kessel, is second in the NHL in goals and was also snubbed as a starter.
The stats imply that each of these players have created quite an impact in helping the Bruins ascend to the top of the Eastern Conference. Their individual numbers should indicate a starting performance in the NHL All-Star game.
Unfortunately, the fans would rather see Sidney Crosby score on an end-to-end rush or Alexander Ovechkin deke defensemen to score a highlight reel goal.
What also hurts these players' causes is that the Bruins have spent the last several years as a perennial doormat in the NHL, and many fans have forgotten about them. In turn, the fans neglected to notice that they've turned it around based on the sparkling stats of their hard-nosed and strong-willed players.
More consistent play from the aforementioned players coupled with a long playoff run should get the fans to notice. Until that happens, flashy and unbelievable ability will always win out.
4 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Sean Lavery 6 months ago
Ovechkin (who's tied for the NHL lead in goals, btw) isn't a starter either. So it's not just marketing, as you suggest.
This year's all star list is something of a unique condidtion. It's basically Pittsburgh fans against Montreal fans. It's the Habs 100th anniversary, and they're hosting the game. Essentially the whole starting team was Habs at one point, until Pittsburgh fans found out and began voting up Crosby, Malkin, Gonchar (WHO HASN'T EVEN PLAYED A GAME) and Fleury until they were in starting spots.
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Jim Graham 6 months ago
This article is pretty poorly informed. For one thing, you cite two players who are "marketed" as proof that "marketing" determines who starts and who gets "snubbed" in the All-Star game, but ignore the fact that one of those two players ISN'T STARTING DESPITE LEADING THE NHL IN GOALS, BEING 2ND IN POINTS, PLAYING FOR A TOP 2 TEAM IN THE EAST, AND BEING THE REIGNING MVP OF THE LEAGUE.
Ovechkin's failure to earn a starting spot nukes your entire article. He's highly marketed and unquestionably more deserving of a start than any player on the Bruins, and he isn't starting. Game over.
To suggest Phil Kessel was "snubbed" from a start is ludicrous and un-defendable. He is not 2nd in the NHL in goal scoring like you say -- he's 4th. And he isn't in the top 10 in points amongst eastern conference forwards. On what possible basis does he merit being a starter?
And, of course, all of this ignores the fact that two fan bases rigged the voting in the East to ensure their players got to start. It's not as if neutral fans selected all "marketable" players over less heralded Bruins players. Andrei Markov isn't exactly a "marketable" name.
The Bruins ended up with 3 all-stars this year, most of any team other than Montreal. They have no grounds for complaining when many top teams only got 1.
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Dan Pieroni 6 months ago
Jim,
You make two valid points but please allow me to explain myself.
1. I know Phil Kessel is technically fourth in the league in goals because he's tied with two other players. The point is only one person has more goals than him in the entire league. Therefore, I think he's warranted as a starter. over people like Markov or other players from the Penguins.
2. I just assumed Ovechkin was a starter because of his reputation as a flashy players that the fans want, and the fact he's the regining MVP. The fact that he's not starting is a disservice
3. You presented an angle I didn't consider but should have in that fans of one specific team stuffed the ballot boxes. This is another reason why I'm against fan voting. fan voting creates a misrepresentation of who the true talents are in the league.
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Derek Harmsworth 6 months ago
Meh, I am sure they are happy to be there. I know talk to Tim Thomas and he feels that way, starter or not. I think I can say the same for Savard, considering how far he has come.
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