Despite Nikita Kucherov’s lackluster performance, it was the most fascinating skills competition I’ve ever watched. When I arrived home on Sunday, my son and I watched it and had a good time.
Tyler Yaremchuk: The new skills competition was fantastic. Up until the very last event, there was genuinely a reason to watch, as the majority of the players were interested. Though it was still a little too long for my taste, I had a good time that evening. Much superior to earlier times. It’s okay that the game will never be completely competitive. They should proceed with this by making the skills competition the main event.
Zachary Laing: Everything was fantastic, but the fantasy draft felt strange and clumsy. That was the worst part of it all. The All-Star game itself was entertaining to watch, especially the final game when you could sense things picking up a little. The skills competition was an absolute delight.
Liam Horrobin: In my opinion, that was the greatest all-star match in a very long time. The game itself was watchable, and the level of competitiveness in the skills event was excellent. The NHL put on a good weekend overall, despite the draft being a bust.
Baggedmilk: This was the best all-star weekend the NHL has had in a long time, in my opinion. I wrote about it on Saturday night. I think everything went about as well as you could expect for on a weekend like that, excluding the excruciatingly boring player draft
Jason Gregor: He and the NHL are both looking awful. The NHL All-Star Game is mostly intended for children, so it amazed me that so many adults thought it would be harmless fun for a celebrity to use an illicit substance. It’s not. If he is seen as the draft’s beginning, that saddens me.
Tyler Yaremchuk: Very funny. Making headlines is a nice thing, but the sport needs more personality. It was likewise harmless, therefore there isn’t a problem.
Zach Laing: In terms of entertaining events that transpired, this was immediately a “Mount Rushmore” hockey moment for me. Even though he later attempted to play it down, that comment will always be remembered.
Liam Horrobin: It was possibly the season’s best quote as well as the weekend’s most memorable moment.
Baggedmilk: In all of the NHL’s existence, that was maybe the most fascinating statement made at a press conference. There was no denying that Michael Buble was the most fascinating guy at the ASG, and it wasn’t even close.
Jason Gregor: I believe he has a chance to make it to the finals. It will be difficult to unseat Rick Tocchet because he has elevated a poor Vancouver squad to the NHL’s elite. Although the Oilers weren’t a horrible club—rather, they were a good team that was playing poorly—there’s no denying that Paul Coffey and Knoblauch’s strategy has greatly benefited the team.
Yaremchuk Tyler: I’ll decline. Though I believe there are now enough excellent choices, such as Tocchet or Tortorella, you never know; he might be a finalist by the conclusion of the season. I simply don’t believe he can pass Tocchet.
