John Scott named MVP of the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, commissioner Gary Bettman’s contract extended and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.
NHL All-Star Game News.
John Scott scored twice and was named MVP of the NHL All-Star Game, in which the Pacific Division beat the Atlantic Division 1-0 in the championship game. Scott spoke afterwards.
John Scott is hoisted onto his teammates shoulders after being named MVP of the 2016 All-Star Game.
CBS SPORTS: Highlights of John Scott’s performance in the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I didn’t approve of the fans voting Scott to the All-Star Game, but he handled this with class. So, too, did the others players and the Nashville fans. What started out as a silly prank ended with players and fans rallying around Scott following what many perceive were underhanded attempts by the league to prevent him from participating in the All-Star game. This game was probably Scott’s last in the NHL. In today’s pro game, those who play the role of enforcer to also bring other skills to the table besides pugilistic ability. Scott is among the last of the one-dimensional enforcers. If it was his final NHL game, it was a helluva way to go out.
ESPN.COM: The three-on-three tournament format at this year’s NHL All-Star game exceeded expectations, providing a level of intensity and competition sorely lacking from recent games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Let’s be honest, the players have no intention of doing anything in an All-Star game to risk injuring themselves or their opponents. For them, this is simply a time to relax and have some fun. However, this new format proved to be entertaining. Three-on-three left more space for the players to be creative, but at the same time, forced them to step up their game because they didn’t want to be embarrassed. Players were actually trying to block shots, something they never did in previous games.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers are among several teams hoping to host the All-Star Game, and the NHL Draft, in the near future.
Other Notable NHL Headlines.
NBC SPORTS: The NHL has extended the contract of commissioner Gary Bettman through 2021-22.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: While legions of Bettman haters will disapprove, it’s understandable why the league did this. Under his tenure, the league implemented a three-tiered salary-cap systems, slashed the players share of revenue down to a 50-50 split and enjoyed a substantial increase in revenue and visibility. Some think this signals another lockout on the horizon, but that’s not necessarily so. If the NHLPA or the NHL vote to terminate the current CBA in September 2019, then the 2019-20 season will be the last under the current agreement. If not, the CBA will expire in September 2022, by which time Bettman’s deal will also expire. He’ll be in the mid-70s by then and in the role of league commissioner for 30 years. Perhaps he could be ready to retire.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Chris Kuc recently interviewed NHLPA director Donald Fehr. Among the highlights: He claims to have a fine personal relationship with league commissioner Gary Bettman, he doesn’t have any imminent retirement plans, the biggest issue for the players is escrow and there will be revenue-sharing, pension and draft issues to negotiate when the league decides to expand.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Because of the declining value of the Canadian dollar, escrow clawbacks from players salaries are growing. They’re currently at 18 percent. If league revenue is higher than expected at season’s end, the players will get that money back with interest. If not, the owners keep that money. If the Canadian dollar remains low over the remainder of the current CBA, you can bet this will be a significant issue in the next round of labor negotiations.
As for the draft issues Fehr alluded to regarding expansion, the main one is whether no-movement clauses protect players from becoming exposed in an expansion draft. Fehr and the players believe it should protect them, but it’s been noted those clauses apply primarily to trades or demotion to the minors. That could be among the issues currently slowing down the expansion process.
CALGARY SUN: The Flames face five burning questions entering this week, with the status of suspended defenseman Dennis Wideman topping the list. Wideman will have a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday for what he claims was an inadvertent hit on a linesman in a recent game.
CSNPHILLY.COM: The Philadelphia Flyers placed center Sean Couturier (lower-body injury) on injured reserve.
It was the first ASG that I have made an effort to watch in a long long time, I really enjoy 3 on 3 over time but this too me seemed like a longt time to watch it. It was better than the typical all star game but I think similar to out door games once the novelty wears off this format will be just as tough to watch on television (great for fans attending tho) didnt help that Rogers did an absolutely horrific job producing it missing goals and cameras cutting at wierd times etc. All in all tho I thought it was ok which is a pretty big change
Well hell, if you want blood, assign a standing point to each team with a player on the winning side. You’ll get blood. Well, an intense game…
Still like what MLB does with the ASG determining homefeild advantage. What could be a neat idea with the tournament format is have it determine a seeding system for the playoffs, between divisions teams from same division based on points.
Ditto for me too. The $1 million prize was a nice tough to give added meaning, but would love to see home ice in the final decided on this to add an extra flair.
Great job Nashville, great fans!!
Now a note to the NHL.
To build on the John Scott story, I have an idea.
Have each team have a “non-allstar” on the team. A player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, generosity or simply being the best community person from the NHL family. Give the fans one player who gives back.
The NHL can make good will stories of each of these players. Example was the Joel Ward story and his being a Big Brother to a by who needed a hand up. The young man now helps out in the Nashville dressing room and is poised to graduate high school (first in his family) and is now looking at colleges to attend.
Joel Ward can play hockey. Is he as good as a Patrick Kane or an Ovechkin, no but he is an NHL player. To even get considered for the NHL is awesome. To play there you need a ton of skill.
Seems like an easy win-win for the NHL. Personalized these players. The other players love these guys. Embrace it and market it to death. We need more of this in our society.
Have to say I enjoyed the game this year. Normally I only watch the skills competition, but I wanted to watch the game and enjoyed it.
Loved how things worked out for John Scott out of all of this. The MVP was well deserved and I appreciated how the players and fans reacted as well. I know it’s been said this was a joke but I don’t think so. stuffing the ballot box definitely could be a joke – anyone could do it because it costs a few minutes of time. Selling out the John Scott All-star shirts is where I think there is something here. People don’t pony up much, much less $40 for a t-shirt as a joke. I think he embodies everything those of us who hit the pond or the local rink for beer night with faint dreams of suiting up for just one NHL game. He clearly loves the game, he has heart and isn’t here to make $5 million a season. I can correspond to that. Many suggest he is one dimensional, but I disagree – he plays one role very well. But this weekend showed us that there is room on teams and at the all star game for those guys who do the things that don’t come out on the scoresheet – leadership, heart, locker room presence.
As for Bettman’s extension, my head almost exploded when I hear about it. Frankly I don’t think he does what is best for the game, but what is best for his legacy. His interview with Strombo yesterday showed that – it was complete garbage and nonsense. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wanted to go another 6 years to help ensure that the teams he brought in and are not doing overly well don’t end up moving.