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Post by turncoat on Jan 23, 2009 19:29:12 GMT -5
I'm with you Curl......most of them take their families anyway so just make your vacation in Montreal...it is a beautiful city.
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Post by dewaltgirl on Jan 23, 2009 19:32:03 GMT -5
I can certainly are bettman's point too. Especially with the guys who were voted in by the fans. There is no harm in showing up for one or two days and sitting and doing some media scrums. As for the ending up at parties they are adults and should act accordingly. If they are too injured to play then they don't need to head out to parties. Just because they aren't going to be at home does not mean they can't recuperate. I feel kind of dirty agreeing with bettman but there it is.
Please forgive the punctuation and the lower case. I'm on my phone
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Post by Melindaaaaaa [26] on Jan 23, 2009 20:08:07 GMT -5
But just because they're selected doesn't mean they should HAVE to be there if they don't want too. It's an optional thing. Should you be punished for choosing not to do something that's optional?
That just seems wrong to me.
If I'm alone on this, that's fine too. My opinion and mine alone.
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Post by dewaltgirl on Jan 23, 2009 20:56:56 GMT -5
I doubt that you are alone with that opinion at all. If there is a big issue with it i'm sure the players association will be all over it. There just seems to be an oddly high number of guys who were chosen who are dropping out now. I'm pretty sure the league calls around to see if the guys will accept or not before they name them to the team. There is always the thing with injuries and that's certainly understandable but I still think they can at least show up.
And ladies,I don't like being able to see up Jessica Simpson's skirt! *shudders*
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Post by Ells on Jan 23, 2009 23:04:01 GMT -5
You're not required to go to the Olympics, why in hell should you be required to go to the NHL's piddling little All-Star fracas?
It's a game that doesn't count. If I'm Detroit, I'm not letting Lidstrom go in the first place. He's too old and too valuable to risk, especially for the defending champs.
The starting lineup voted on by the fans, ok, sure. We all want them to be there. But I'm pretty sure it's not in their contract that they have to play a game that counts for nothing and for which they are not paid.
I can't make you show up at the company picnic or the company softball game and make you play.
And there are reserve all-stars named for just such an occaision. So it really is not such a big deal.
Just one more way they're trying to get something for nothing.
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Post by mscaniac on Jan 24, 2009 8:24:02 GMT -5
They aren't forcing them to play, just show up. Apparently this was decided LAST February which I didn't realize, so the players knew about it since last year. Apparently for those that decided not to attend missing a game with their team is worth it. So really they do get a choice.
Quote: MONTREAL - Detroit Red Wings veterans Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk will have to sit out a game next week as punishment for skipping all-star weekend, NHL vice-president Colin Campbell said Friday.
But Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby will be allowed to play his team's next game because he has decided to attend all-star festivities even though a knee injury will keep him out of the game. Crosby was expected to arrive in Montreal late Friday afternoon.
Campbell said the league's general managers agreed last February that a player who misses the all-star game must sit out the regular season game just before or just after it to demonstrate that he is really injured.
He said commissioner Gary Bettman pushed for the rule because too many players were skipping the all-star game without good reason in recent years.
"We've all got obligations to the fans, the rights holders - this game is being televised around the world," said Campbell. "I feel bad for Nicklas Lidstrom.
"He's been here how many years now? It's unfair that he gets caught in this web."
Detroit's next game is Tuesday night in Columbus.
The rule does not apply to players in Saturday's YoungStars game. Four of them have pulled out with injuries - Steve Mason, Milan Lucic, Nicklas Backstrom and Erik Ersberg.
NHL Players Association executive Glenn Healy said the rule is "not good for the hockey and it's not good for the fans."
Edmonton Oilers defenceman Sheldon Souray said he strongly disagrees with the rule.
"From my own experience this year, I'm honoured and happy to be here, but if things hadn't worked out so I could have my family here to enjoy it with me, that would be reason enough for me not to come here," he said. "There are things more important than coming here and sacrificing family stuff, which you do all year anyway, every season."
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Post by mscaniac on Jan 24, 2009 8:43:09 GMT -5
Red Carpet event starts about 4:00 today, that's one of my favorite parts. I love seeing the players all spiffed up.
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Post by Ells on Jan 24, 2009 11:22:42 GMT -5
Never thought I'd say it, but I agree with Souray.
"From my own experience this year, I'm honoured and happy to be here, but if things hadn't worked out so I could have my family here to enjoy it with me, that would be reason enough for me not to come here," he said. "There are things more important than coming here and sacrificing family stuff, which you do all year anyway, every season."
You can't always drag the family to montreal for a weekend, and they should always come first. Sure they get paid a lot of money, but their families have to give up a lot. Family first.
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Post by turncoat on Jan 24, 2009 11:47:02 GMT -5
I can see their point about the family and yes family should be the most important thing BUT when they decide to pursue their hockey career and make millions of dollars they know that there are going to be sacrifices made throughout that career.
Is the All Star Break as big as it was?? No. Are more and more players preferring the break than to play? Yes. I think in part because the season is now so much longer than it was. I like the new ideas they have about different tournaments every year to still break up the season but only have the All-Star break every three to four years.
I don't like Bettman so my first instinct is to disagree with everything he says but Colin Campbell had the point that the NHL has sponsors for this game because of the stars who play in it and they have to honor these contracts. It is no secret that the NHL is struggling in some markets and the players have to help promote the game as much as the owners/managers. I think the All-Star game is a good way to promote it if done right.
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Post by Melindaaaaaa [26] on Jan 24, 2009 11:58:57 GMT -5
But there's no line in their contract that says anything about OMG YOU HAVE TO ATTEND THE ALL STAR GAME IF SELECTED PLZKTHX. I just think that since they're not getting paid for it and it doesn't count anyway, they shouldn't be punished if they elect to skip it.
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Post by turncoat on Jan 24, 2009 12:52:44 GMT -5
Red Carpet event starts about 4:00 today, that's one of my favorite parts. I love seeing the players all spiffed up. Is this being televised??? If so where???
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Post by mscaniac on Jan 24, 2009 14:41:09 GMT -5
Turnie we are getting it on the NHL network, I'm not sure if it's being televised on any other stations. I do see where Versus it televising the Super Skills tonight at 7:00. We shall all just have to agree to disagree about our differing opinions on the players and the game, but we can all enjoy it. None of us is right and none of us is wrong and we are all entitled to our opinions. *PEACE LOVE AND JOY LADIES*
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Post by Melindaaaaaa [26] on Jan 24, 2009 15:50:57 GMT -5
Agreeing to disagree would be a good outcome, and I'm glad our little debate has been civil.
Also, if our old chatbox is still working, I'll probably be there during the Skillz Comp tonight. Feel free to join me. =]
ETA: Chatbox still works. I just checked the link.
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Post by Freaky for JWillie on Jan 24, 2009 16:14:45 GMT -5
I love the NHL Network but can I just say that some of the commercials are hilarious. Where do they find them? The cell phone holder and the Aussie knife sharpener are the best!
On a better note, did anyone see the players explaining the new digital box you will need in Feb.2009? That was funny.
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Post by Melindaaaaaa [26] on Jan 24, 2009 16:17:27 GMT -5
EFF YOU, DIRECTV.
... I don't get the NHL Network, even though this game is being shown worldwide. That's stupid.
I WANT TO SEE SPIFFY HOCKEY PLAYERS!
:restlessnatives:
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