NHL All-Star Game Balloting: Is It Worth The Headache?

Aside from a few of the normal players who won't be there, there has also been a bit of a controversy involving the new online fan balloting. 

This year's online ballot has a new wrinkle, where the results update in real time on the NHL website.  This is unprecedented in major professional sports, at least that I am aware of, and definitely should appeal to fans who want to know how their favorite stars are doing. However, let's take a look at the current voting results, specifically in the Eastern Conference.

I can't say it's all too surprising, but the top two vote-getters at forward in the East are Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.  Since they currently are the top two scorers in the NHL, it is hard to complain too much.  However, the next three top forwards and the top two defensemen and the top goaltender all play for the Canadiens. 

It leads you to believe that perhaps the NHL needs to put in some safeguards for future balloting.  After the NHL balloting was made to be a mockery by the infamous "Vote for Rory" incident a few years back, it is once again giving a black eye to the sport.  Take a look at the top 7 forwards for the East:

1. Sydney Crosby, PIT     798,227
2. Evgeni Malkin, PIT       719,578
3. Alexei Kovalev, MON     631,233
4. Saku Koivu, MON         631.108
5. Alex Tanguay, MON      620,674
6. Alex Ovechkin, WAS     301,590
7. Marc Savard, BOS        183,340

I think it's painfully obvious that there is something skewing the system.  When five forwards distance themselves from the pack the way it currently stands, it appears that something is amiss.  When Alex Ovechkin, is over 300,000 votes behind Alex Tanguay, it is a problem. 

Now, yes, the fans have the right to vote in whoever they want to start the game.  But, when an individual or group of individuals trumps the process to garner votes for their favorite team, it makes you wonder why the NHL doesn't scrap the fan balloting all together.

After all, it is the NHL All-Star Game.  Fans of all teams are expected to tune in to watch the game.  I'm sure the local fans in Montreal will be happy, if the current polling results stand.  Not only will they have a local forward (whichever one would triumph over the current battle for the number three spot between Tanguay, Kovalev and Koivu), but as of now, they'd also have the starting pair of defensemen and goaltender (Carey Price). 

You would think the big injustice would be that Andrei Markov and Mike Komisarekare leading the way.  However, if you look deeper, the fact that Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney, neither of which have played a single game this season, are number three and four in the ballot results respectively.

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