NHL: Five Thoughts As We Enter The NHL All-Star Break

Second All-Star Break Thought: The NHL should reconsider their all-star game system.

I like the three-on-three format the NHL has set up, but in the past, before the league switched to that structure they had more roster spots to make sure their star players were able to get into the event without it turning into a simple one player per team thing.

Some teams just shouldn’t have a player at the event if the league wants to keep moving forward with three on three. Steven Stamkos, Roman Josi, Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, Sidney Crosby, Artemi Panarin, and a handful of other players that were having great seasons were held off the roster initially. I say initially because Terry eventually won the last man in vote, Josi was added later as a replacement, and Zegras is going just to participate in the Breakaway challenge.

If it being a three-on-three tournament is that tough with the divisions being too big and the roster not getting any bigger then switch things up.

Third All-Star Break Thought: The Pacific Division definitely has been the biggest surprise.

The Pacific Division has seen some of the best action all season. They have the Vegas Golden Knights who overcame a tough start to become competitive, even without their big addition in Jack Eichel on the ice just yet. They have two California teams ready to end their postseason drought and get back to being the top threats within the West in the Kings and Ducks, and they have the Flames and Oilers both desperate for postseason success.

This is going to be a heck of a season in the Pacific Division, and I cannot wait to watch it all play out later in the year.