NHL All-Star Game: All-Star Bust

With seven original All-Stars out the lineup, the seven players chosen to replace had the enormous task of not disappointing.

Consider it a mission not accomplished.

Not only was there a lack of effort in the breakaway relay by the likes of Mike Ribeiro and Rick Nash, but the breakaway competition was judged by an actor, a retired NBA All-Star, a retired NHL grinder, and Bill Clement.

Why not put in some past All-Stars such as the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy, Gordie Howe, or Steve Yzerman? Seriously, that was a weak attempt on the part of the NHL in recruiting to help package the game and remember the past of the game.

When the skills were done and accounted for, the game provided 15 goals, one of which came 12 seconds in. Maybe that was one mission the All-Stars accomplished—scoring a bountiful amount of goals, which is the aim of the modern NHL.

Looking through the lens of the NHL and seeing All-Stars and future Hall of Famers, such as Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, and Henrik Zetterberg not playing either because they are nursing minor injuries or for family reasons means that the league is not doing a good job of making sure that the it is promoting itself.

This year’s bash in Atlanta was pathetic simply because tickets were still available for both the skills competition and the actual game. With the game’s biggest superstar Sidney Crosby sidelined, as well as the game’s best goaltender sitting out for personal reasons, the league needs to rethink and retool this All-Star format as well as to market the game of hockey in places where people are familiar with hockey.

It was pathetic when Atlanta Thrashers superstar Ilya Kovalchuk was announced and there was at best, a murmur throughout the not-so-sold out Atlanta crowd. Announcing one of the game's most electrifying players and getting such pathetic welcome signals is one of the many reasons why this year's All-Star game was a bust.

The NHL will soon be taking resumes for a new commissioner if this goes on much longer.

Thank goodness next year’s All-Star game is in Montreal.