Bringing credibility to the All-Star game

The official end of the NHL All-Star Game balloting period fits in nicely with the unofficial start of the "why we heck do we need to change the All-Star Game/All-Star Game at all" season.

Personally, I don't really care. The All-Star Game ceased to hold any real attraction for me years ago. I accept it for what it is - a meaningless, zero-intensity game of shinny, albeit one that features many of the most talented hockey players in the world.

That said, I remember what the game used to mean. It was a spectacle and it was special and I looked forward to it each season. Theoretically, that's what it still could be today.

From an NHL marketing perspective, it represents another entry point to sell the game to kids, and those that don't really know much about hockey, to get them hooked or to deepen their bond. As things stand, it's an opportunity that isn't being fully exploited.

In recent years, the hockey community has discussed ad nauseum potential format changes that might re-energize the "mid-season classic." We won't go down that road again right now (personally, I don't really like the North America VS. World thing, with the "US/THEM" feel it gives off...none of that nonsense anymore guys).

One thing to look at is, How the starters are selected because, ironically, the very method they instituted to give ownership to their customers is undermining itself.

The electronic ballot stuffing, or the spectre of it, is a turn-off. While it may not be reflected this year in total number of votes cast, it's impossible to tell since fans can vote as frequently as they like. So when Sidney Crosby "breaks Jaromir Jagr's record" for votes received, it's totally meaningless. Using this method, Chris Simon may break Crosby's record one day (no offense to Chris Simon there).

Here are a few ways they could alter the selection process to lend it more credibility.

1. Have the players vote. Regardless of format they choose to use (East vs. West, North America vs. Europe, Under 28's vs. Over 28's..yes I know that last one sounds real stupid), players would select their side's starting lineup , but would not be permitted to cast ballots for their NHL teammates.

2. Devise a statistical formula to pick the starters. Perhaps it's different for forwards, defensemen and goalies. Maybe each conference's top goal-scorer, assist-collector, plus-minus player and save percentage stopper are all guaranteed spots. Maybe the formula is more complex. Either way, it'd be black and white.... The best player up to that point of the season gets to play in the game.

3. If it remained important to have some fan participation, hold a contest in which two lucky winners got to pick the starters in conjunction with each side's coaching staffs or executive boards. That would draw visitors into websites (that can't be the driving reason behind fan balloting, can it?) and eliminate the risk of a non-worthy player being selected.

4. Move the All-Star games out doors! in my opinion (by it being only my opinion, you're free to disagree with me) these outdoor games have been great! Make them a yearly thing by using them for the All-Star game.. The NHL has already seen how many tickets they can sell to a "regular" or "exibition" game, imagine how many more they can sell with 2 teams full of stars!!!.

I'm sure there are MANY other tweaks, amendments or overhauls that could be made to breathe life and credibility back into the event. Let me know what you think would make the All-Star game better and more watchable.