Fansided

NHL plans to change All-Star voting format

By Darrell Samuels

Dec 17, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Jared Boll (40) tackles Arizona Coyotes left wing John Scott (28) during a fight in the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Jared Boll (40) tackles Arizona Coyotes left wing John Scott (28) during a fight in the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL plans to change format to All-Star Game

The 2016 NHL All-Star weekend is Jan. 29-31 in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena. The Bridgestone Arena is the home of the Nashville Predators franchise.

The weekend is an annual tradition where hockey fans can see their favorite players can come together and play in an exhibition game after successful first half seasons. Some of the game’s greats that have made frequent appearances are Pittsburgh Penguins Evgeni Malkin, New York Rangers Henrik Lundqvist and Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Oveckin.

The 2016 game will be different. The NHL changed the format of the All-Star events to having each division ice a roster of All-Stars competing in a tournament.

Fans have always had the opportunity nominate players that they felt they would like to see in the festivities. The National Hockey League has always given their fans the opportunity, as well as the freedom, to choose whomever they wanted to see show their skills.

A name that was selected is Arizona Coyotes tough guy forward John Scott. The 33 year old’s career started during the 2008-09 campaign as a member of the Minnesota Wild. His career has stretched out to play with the Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and the San Jose Sharks. In his first 285 games, he has been a regular visitor to the penalty box of 542 penalty minutes. This year he has one assist in eleven contests for the hockey club from the desert in Arizona.

Scott was chosen to participate, by fans, to play in the game. Not only was he chosen, he was also the player with the most votes for the game in Nashville. He is also one of the four chosen captains of the contest. The other three men were Jaromir Jagr of the Florida Panthers, Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks and Ovechkin of the Capitals organization.

According to Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman, the league has plans to change how the voting is selected. It is a pretty safe bet to conclude that the league is making this change after fans elected Scott to the festivities. The NHL head office do not appear to be happy with the criteria by fans to warrant Scott’s inclusion in the honor.

Scott has to be stunned and surprised by the invitation and has been all smiles and talking about the opportunity to play.

No matter what your views are on the January hockey game, all eyes will certainly be on the Arizona tough guy. They will want to see how he keeps up with some of the other fantastic hockey talent.

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