Just call it all-star weekend all around.  While the NFL was playing its annual all-star game in Hawaii, across the country the NHL was also hosting its annual gathering of the best and brightest, as well as a brand new format.  At the RBC Arena, home of the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, the NHL All-Star game took place with a wild new format.  Rather than divide their teams up in Eastern Conference and Western Conference, or North America versus the world, or whatever crazy format the NHL had in the past, this year’s all-star game was carried out fantasy draft style.  The team’s two captains, Nicklas Lindstrom and Eric Staal, took turns picking players for their team.  Team Lindstrom bested Team Staal 11-10 in last night’s NHL All-Star Game.

“It was incredible,” Eric Staal said.  “I thought the atmosphere, especially the start, was awesome.  Fans were excited.  The weather was unbelievable.  The fans were tailgating.  It was awesome, a lot of fun.  It was just a good time.”

While it was fun, and I really enjoy the new format and the idea of a grab bag of players being selected by the team captains, they absolutely cannot let this event happen on the same weekend as the NFL Pro Bowl again.  That just completely ruins the appearance of the NHL by letting themselves be overlooked on the sporting landscape.  I know the NHL is America’s fifth-most popular sport, but there’s no reason to behave like it.  If you have to, move the game to Monday or something to avoid being overshadowed.

Image:  Detroit Free Press

Tags: NHL All Star Game, Team Lindstrom, Team Staal, Carolina Hurricanes, Team Lindstrom beats Team Staal 11-10, fantasy draft, NHL All-Star Game draft, hockey, NHL, National Hockey League, Raleigh, North Carolina, RBC Arena, Nicklas Lindstrom, Eric Staal, sports, all-star game

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