Best on Best every year: Idea to get rid of the All-Star Game

[GrkFlyersFan]

Year 1: All-Star
Year 2: World Cup
Year 3: All-Star
Year 4: Olympics

Repeat

This is something that soccer has already figured out with their cadence for the World Cup and Euros/Copa America. No need to complicate things. I also think that over-saturating with internationals will cause them to lose their shine a bit, and that having a bit of distance between All-Stars will bring some of the excitement back.

This is the way right here. Next year, they're going to do ASG AND Olympics, but you start the cycle there. 2027 ASG, 2028 WCOH, 2029 ASG, 2030 Olympics. Only have the ASG every other year, international every other year. It works.

 

[NVious]

My idea:
2026-Just don't have it
2027-Just don't have it
2028-Just don't have it
2029-Just don't have it
2030-WE MISS THE ASG BRING IT BACK
2031-That was awful just don't have it

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

The international thing every other year is enough.

 

[njdevils1982]

Get rid of it entirely and just continue the season so it's not running into June.

agree, no more in season two week breaks...save this shit for the summer

 

[GrkFlyersFan]

agree, no more in season two week breaks...save this shit for the summer

As it was, last year with just ASG, the Cup was still lifted June 24th. That's entirely too late

 

[26Mats]

Year 1: All-Star
Year 2: World Cup
Year 3: All-Star
Year 4: Olympics

Repeat

This is something that soccer has already figured out with their cadence for the World Cup and Euros/Copa America. No need to complicate things. I also think that over-saturating with internationals will cause them to lose their shine a bit, and that having a bit of distance between All-Stars will bring some of the excitement back.

Soccer have international friendlies every year - and I don't think the European Soccer leagues, the best soccer leagues in the world, have stupid all-star games no?

But for sure, over saturation could be a thing. I just think once a year won't be oversaturation, since there aren't international friendlies being played year round. And each tournament will be different: 1. pre-Olympic tune ups, 2. Olympics, 3. world cup qualifiers/North American cup, 4. World cup.

 

[surixon]

NHL owners get a chunk of the revenue from league controlled best on best events. I'm sure it sucks for Florida to lose Tkachuk for a bit but their owner would have gotten cut a cheque from this tournament.

It's a very different story in terms of the Olympics where the owners get nothing.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

In fairness, this isn't Best on Best. It may be for USA and Canada, but for other countries, they don't have depth players from the Euro leagues.

To be best on best, it would also need to include Russia and Czech.

To me, this was the 2 Nations tournament. And really just 1 Nation as Canada always beats US when it matters most.

 

[kevsh]

I also think that over-saturating with internationals will cause them to lose their shine a bit,

This right here.

But this is Bettman we're talking about and after the overwhelming success of this tournament he is 100% scheming, probably even as I write this, on how to do more of it. Lots more.

In fact, I'm surprised he was so short-sighted as to announce the 8-country World Cup in 2028 before this one even started. Now he's kind of locked the NHL into having to wait 3 long years to do this again.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

I could watch it every year if they bring this type of intensity.

But as long as they maintain the "tournament every two years" strategy, it should be fine too. This will create a bit of time for the hype to develop and the players will go all out too.

It also gives teams a chance to tweak their teams with new talent creating different matchups every time a tournament rolls around.

 

[qc14]

Soccer have international friendlies every year - and I don't think the European Soccer leagues, the best soccer leagues in the world, have stupid all-star games no?

But for sure, over saturation could be a thing. I just think once a year won't be oversaturation, since there aren't international friendlies being played year round. And each tournament will be different: 1. pre-Olympic tune ups, 2. Olympics, 3. world cup qualifiers/North American cup, 4. World cup.

The problem with hockey compared to soccer is that there's really only 6 teams that are even close to being competitive with one another and only two of them drive all of the interest and ratings. There could be no hockey version of the Copa America or the Euros or AFCON or even the Gold Cup. Only so many ways you can organize those same 6 countries, plus probably a rotating two more, in ways that are interesting, exciting -- and crucially for the NHL -- revenue generating.

 

[voyageur]

This right here.

But this is Bettman we're talking about and after the overwhelming success of this tournament he is 100% scheming, probably even as I write this, on how to do more of it. Lots more.

In fact, I'm surprised he was so short-sighted as to announce the 8-country World Cup in 2028 before this one even started. Now he's kind of locked the NHL into having to wait 3 long years to do this again.

I think the reality is because this tourney was played in North America prime time it is going to have better viewership than the Olympics.

Olympics won't be in North America until 2034.

I think the ASG can fill in the voids of non competition years.

Call me crazy but I'd like to see the World Cup be a 3 on 3 format. For entertainment.

Bring 4 lines of 3 players. 2 goalies. A lot easier for Germany or Switzerland to compete in that format and keep the money in the NHLPA.

 

[Super Hans]

They should have an outdoor tournament each year, alternate between Chicago, Pittsburgh and Boston, make sure to water that shit down real good too.

 

[26Mats]

The problem with hockey compared to soccer is that there's really only 6 teams that are even close to being competitive with one another and only two of them drive all of the interest and ratings. There could be no hockey version of the Copa America or the Euros or AFCON or even the Gold Cup. Only so many ways you can organize those same 6 countries, plus probably a rotating two more, in ways that are interesting, exciting -- and crucially for the NHL -- revenue generating.

I agree with this. Some will say the Olympics and World cup is enough, so every other year.

I still think once a year isn't too much. The Olympics and World cup are different because one is played under NHL rules, the other under IIHF rules. I think the regional cups leading up to the world cup would be great - North American Cup, Canada versus U.S. best 2 out 3, for seeding at the world cup the following year, same for Northern European Cup, Finland vs Sweden and Eastern European, Russia versus Czechia. And maybe you could even have a Western Europen Cup Switzerland vs. Germany, with the winner getting a place at the World Cup (Finals) the following year. Then you have a tournament with the remaining teams for the last seat. I this could get other countries excited about hockey. Not all, but some. Like England, France, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, Germany. It depends how well you market it.

 

[qc14]

I agree with this. Some will say the Olympics and World cup is enough, so every other year.

I still think once a year isn't too much. The Olympics and World cup are different because one is played under NHL rules, the other under IIHF rules. I think the regional cups leading up to the world cup would be great - North American Cup, Canada versus U.S. best 2 out 3, for seeding at the world cup the following year, same for Northern European Cup, Finland vs Sweden and Eastern European, Russia versus Czechia. And maybe you could even have a Western Europen Cup Switzerland vs. Germany, with the winner getting a place at the World Cup (Finals) the following year. Then you have a tournament with the remaining teams for the last seat. I this could get other countries excited about hockey. Not all, but some. Like England, France, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, Germany. It depends how well you market it.

I think these would be awesome for the real hockey die-hards but unfortunately it doesn't make financial sense for the NHL to be a part of something that doesn't involve both the US and Canada.

 

[robertocarlos]

Mexico?

Future home for me and the Winnipeg Jets.

 

[Cas]

I agree with this. Some will say the Olympics and World cup is enough, so every other year.

I still think once a year isn't too much. The Olympics and World cup are different because one is played under NHL rules, the other under IIHF rules. I think the regional cups leading up to the world cup would be great - North American Cup, Canada versus U.S. best 2 out 3, for seeding at the world cup the following year, same for Northern European Cup, Finland vs Sweden and Eastern European, Russia versus Czechia. And maybe you could even have a Western Europen Cup Switzerland vs. Germany, with the winner getting a place at the World Cup (Finals) the following year. Then you have a tournament with the remaining teams for the last seat. I this could get other countries excited about hockey. Not all, but some. Like England, France, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, Germany. It depends how well you market it.

Russia vs Czechia is not going to happen.

Switzerland and Germany are not on the same level as Italy, England, France, or Mexico. They're serious hockey countries, while the others are competing in lower levels.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Then so be it. You don’t like them, beat them on the ice. 4 Nations was refereed very well, and should be the case moving forward.

Hockey is hockey. The players aren’t politicians. Regardless of their views, leave politics to politics and hockey to hockey.

...leaving the Russians out is more than politics, as everyone on this Planet knows...

 

[26Mats]

Russia vs Czechia is not going to happen.

Switzerland and Germany are not on the same level as Italy, England, France, or Mexico. They're serious hockey countries, while the others are competing in lower levels.

Yes, you have Germany vs. Switzerland in a best 2 out of 3 for the 7th spot at the World Cup of hockey the following year.

Then you have every other contending country in a tournament for either the 8th spot, or for a shot at playing the loser of the Germany -Switzerland game for the final spot at the World Cup (finals) the following year.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

...leaving the Russians out is more than politics, as everyone on this Planet knows...

If Russia cant play internationally, there is literally no reason why the US should be able to

 

[26Mats]

I think these would be awesome for the real hockey die-hards but unfortunately it doesn't make financial sense for the NHL to be a part of something that doesn't involve both the US and Canada.

Canada vs USA best 2 out of 3 is for the short term revenue.

Finland vs Sweden (in Finland and Sweden), Russia vs Czechia (in Russian and Czechia), and Switzerland vs Germany (in Switzerland and Germany), and the larger tournament is to grow the game and the NHL brand internationally.

I think there is huge interest, and huge opportunity to grow the game. I think it will only build, not shrink:

USA-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off championship draws 9.3 million viewers on ESPN to shatter records

The USA-Canada 4 Nations championship game surpassed all expectations by drawing 9.2 million viewers Thursday night on ESPN.

awfulannouncing.com

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

If Russia cant play internationally, there is literally no reason why the US should be able to

...false equivalency...at the moment...what the U.S. do in the near future could change everything...

 

[frontsfan67]

As soon as you start needing players outside of the NHL you're going to need to get the IIHF involved and that complicates things considerably.

Also they probably want their own cut of the $$$.

Highly doubt they get rid of the NHL allstar game. If anything maybe they just add some things in. They’ve had allstar games forever now and it rotates cities etc. good for the game even if it’s not the highest level of hockey.

 

[Dingo]

Then so be it. You don’t like them, beat them on the ice. 4 Nations was refereed very well, and should be the case moving forward.

Hockey is hockey. The players aren’t politicians. Regardless of their views, leave politics to politics and hockey to hockey.

word.

 

[tmg]

All Star Games/Weeks are also big corporate and sponsorship gatherings where the NHL execs invite in a bunch of other billionaires and give each other reach-arounds.

Don't see it going away completely in the near future despite how much viewership drops and players are disinterested.

To me, the question here is “fine, it needs to exist, but does it need to be mid season?”

I could see the NHL consider trying to follow the NFL’s “Pro Bowl” model. Still get their annual corporate sponsor and kiddo fandom event, but do it … in that break between the conference finals and the Cup final. Name the all star participants based on entire-regular-season performance, and name replacements for the players who will actually be playing in the Cup final (just like the NFL pro bowl does).