And that will lead us back into the greater issue of "who is the All-Star Game played for? Is it for the fans to see their favorites, or for the players to be honored for their play on the ice? Is it for a young player who had a hot start over the longtime veteran, never honored, who's near the end of his career?"
Anyways, Who has the best chance of going to the All-Star Game?
Johansen?
Wisniewski?
Johnson?
Provided Prospal doesn't get injured and remains a regular player on the Jackets squad, he should probably be at the top of the list.
Over 1000 games in the NHL and he seems like he has the respect of other players and fans around the league. We could probably easily persuade Tampa Bay and Rangers fans (maybe Philly) to stuff the ballot box on his behalf. It would be a good sendoff for a player who has left nothing on the table during his career.
Given all the talk about how he goes full-tilt in practices, I could see him playing at regular game intensity during the All-star game which would be kind of interesting to see.
Anyways, Who has the best chance of going to the All-Star Game?
Johansen?
Wisniewski?
Johnson?
Based on previous history, there will probably be 5-7 local players on the ballot. I'd imagine that Wisniewski, Johnson, Umberger, Johansen, and Bobrovsky will be the most likely, plus at least one more depending on how the early season transpires.
Heck, I think Chad LaRose was on the ballot when the game was in Carolina, so...
And that will lead us back into the greater issue of "who is the All-Star Game played for? Is it for the fans to see their favorites, or for the players to be honored for their play on the ice? Is it for a young player who had a hot start over the longtime veteran, never honored, who's near the end of his career?"
There is no single answer. Nor should there be. Just because I might not agree with who we target and why, that doesn't mean I think people should stop with their attempts.
Short answer, from my perspective, who the fans from the NHL want to see on the ice. Ultimately they play for our amusement. We have awards at the end of the year that recognize the players for their contributions. We also have the HoF for those that have had great careers.
Having said that, the voting system right now is a bit broken. I don't really have an idea what we should do about it, if anything.
After much consideration, I've also determined that our two write-in targets should be our own Vinny Prospal and previously our own Rostislav Klesla
Why Klesla? I had no problem with him as a Blue Jacket, but he's been gone a few years now. If it came down to Rusty and someone on our current roster, I'm voting CBJ, especially if it's someone more deserving of it.
Why Klesla? I had no problem with him as a Blue Jacket, but he's been gone a few years now. If it came down to Rusty and someone on our current roster, I'm voting CBJ, especially if it's someone more deserving of it.
Klesla's the last Original Blue Jacket. Besides, it gets Phoenix fans on our side.
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Remember - when you're a hockey fan, it's not "reckless driving", it's "good forechecking".
"Viqsi, you are our sweet humanist..." --mt-svk on the CBJ boards
Thanks, Howson, for cleaning up MacLean's toxic waste. Welcome, Kekalainen; let's get good things built!
I was going to say this actually, and be serious about it.
Remember when Rory Fitzpatrick almost got voted into the All-Star Game a few years back? What if everyone took up a "Vote Derek" campaign and fought to get our hardest working player in? I'll start organizing, if anyone's interested
I was going to say this actually, and be serious about it.
Remember when Rory Fitzpatrick almost got voted into the All-Star Game a few years back? What if everyone took up a "Vote Derek" campaign and fought to get our hardest working player in? I'll start organizing, if anyone's interested
I supported the Rory Fitzpatrick thing, but it was a complete joke. We've got four months before voting will even begin, so let's not go dividing up into factions or anything.
When that day comes, I'll be the one pulling the strings.
I supported the Rory Fitzpatrick thing, but it was a complete joke. We've got four months before voting will even begin, so let's not go dividing up into factions or anything.
When that day comes, I'll be the one pulling the strings.
And that will lead us back into the greater issue of "who is the All-Star Game played for? Is it for the fans to see their favorites, or for the players to be honored for their play on the ice? Is it for a young player who had a hot start over the longtime veteran, never honored, who's near the end of his career?"
In my opinion the NHL All Star game is a farce and should be reclassified as an exhibition by some pretty good hockey players and some guys who get in because the fans stuffed the ballot box. Anything resembling NHL hockey will be purely coincidental.
Hopefully, if they haven't already done so, the NFL bags the Pro Bowl.
The NBA All-Star game is nothing more than playground ball with no attempt on defense.
I guess ALL-Star games are ok for those who enjoy them, but to me I could care less.
And I get it, that with today's salaries no player wants to be hurt or hurt another in a meaningless exhibition.
I also like the idea of getting Rangers, Lightning & Flyers fans to do a ballot stuff for Vinny.
(edit- Looking at Wikipedia, Prospal has never been to the All-Star Game.)
I don't like it. Mostly because you're thinking too small-scale.
Trust me on this. When we get into November and I start filling in details about balloting and targets, my primary hope is that the scope and magnitude of it will be breathtaking. This may be the only project in my life that I actually see to fruition, so...
Quote:
You have a smaller version of this I could use as an avatar, by chance?
