NHL: Five Thoughts As We Enter The NHL All-Star Break
The NHL All-Star break is officially here! The league definitely is going to enjoy this little break from the action. Let’s dive in with a couple of thoughts as the league enters a weekend off before picking up action on Monday, February 7th with games in Toronto and Ottawa.
As we currently sit, here are the division leaders throughout each division: The Florida Panthers lead the Atlantic Division, the Carolina Hurricanes lead the Metropolitan Division, the Colorado Avalanche have a nice lead in the Central Division, and the Vegas Golden Knights lead the charge in the Pacific.
First All-Star Break Thought: The NHL might need to do something in Chicago.
The Chicago Blackhawks held a town hall meeting that can still be found on youtube. During the meeting, The Athletic writer Mark Lazerus asked a question and the answer from team chairman Rocky Wirtz was disheartening, to say the least. You can find the full exchange here:
.@MarkLazerus asked Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz how the team is working to empower players in the wake of the Kyle Beach situation.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 3, 2022
Wirtz: "We're not going to talk about Kyle Beach. We're not going to talk about 2010. We're moving on."
🎥 @NHLBlackhawks pic.twitter.com/B12Rr5RusS
The NHL led by Gary Bettman might need to step in especially after an exchange like that. The Blackhawks did end up losing their game last night and continue to search for a new general manager of their team.
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.
Fourth All-Star Break Thought: The Atlantic Division Holds Three Teams Built For The Postseason…
… but only one can make it to the Conference Final.
The NHL has three of the league’s best teams in the Atlantic Division. The Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning are all pushing for the Stanley Cup. Any one of them could represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final and whichever two faceoff in the second round very well could determine the winner of the Stanley Cup.
The Panthers and Maple Leafs both need to get over the playoff hump, and the Lightning are trying to continue their era of dominance. This division is stacked with talent and it is going to be fun to watch it play out. This playoff format is honestly a detriment to a division this strong as they have to play each other to get out of the first two rounds.
Fifth All-Star Break Thought: Missing Out On The Olympics Definitely Is Going To Hurt.
There are a lot of star players that would have been fun to watch at the Olympics this year. While it makes sense why the league is not going due to the pandemic and the fact that league has to make up a lot of games, I do think it is going to hurt not seeing so many of the league’s brightest stars shine at the Olympics.
The NHL was about to see Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby together, Steven Stamkos was going to get a crack at the Olympics, and the U.S. was going to have a team filled with talent in Patrick Kane, Auston Matthews, the Hughes brothers, and many many more great young players.
The Olympics only come once every four years, so hopefully, we will be able to see the NHL back at the games in four years, by then who knows who will be leading the charge for their respective countries. Hopefully, Ovechkin is still competing for the top of the league in goals.