by Hillary LaClair, Senior Editor
January 23, 2009
With the NHL All star game just around the corner, sports fans expect another exhilarating display of hockey players. Unfortunately, the Detroit Red Wings will not be properly represented this year; not for lack of effort by the NHL hockey operations, however, as initially Nicklas Lindstrom and Pavel Datsyuk were invited to represent the Red Wings in the annual and highly esteemed All Star event.
In an unfortunate twist of fate, both chosen players have announced that they cannot properly represent the team, due to their injuries. Lindstrom complained of tendinitis in his elbow, which is an ailment that event organizers would have recognized, had he not scored two goals against Phoenix just this week. Datsyuk has also cancelled his appearance in the All Star game due to an injury. The NHL event organizers did not stop efforts there, offering stand-in invitations to defenseman Brian Rafalski and forward Marian Hossa.
Much to the chagrin of hockey fans, both Rafalski and Hossa declined the offer as well. Hossa said that he will be filming a cell phone commercial for a Slovakian company in Toronto. As such, he had already made plans that would include a meeting the company’s representatives – reps who were coming all the way from his homeland. Rafalski will be spending time with his family and hotel and flight arrangements have already been made. With Montreal as close as it is to Toronto, critics have chastised Rafalski for not making a greater effort to attend the game that so many fans look forward to each year.
To answer this dereliction of duty, the NHL will be benching Lindstrom and Rafalski on next week’s game against Columbus. The league’s rules state that any player who fails to make an appearance in the All Star game when invited will have either missed the game prior or after. This puts a damper on online sports betting enthusiasts that were expecting the four high caliber players to play in upcoming events. The loss of the two best players may substantially change the betting odds as well as the outcome of the game. Despite the absence of Red Wing players at the All Star game, the Detroit team’s head coach, Mike Babcock, will participate in the event.
Rumor has it that there is more to this incident than meets the eye. Speculation is circulating that the injury claims are nothing more than a ploy to give the Wings a competitive advantage over rivals the San hose Sharks in the upcoming meeting. Despite the extra effort Joe Thornton of the Sharks will need to put in, he seems unaffected and almost excited to have a chance to do something his rivals won’t. "Not that a big deal," said Thornton, "Personally, I don't like days off and I'm wearing new skates Saturday and Sunday, so this is a chance to break them in."
The failure to play in the All Star game may be a forgivable offense for Lindstrom, having played in ten all star games in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2008. He also has attended every NHL awards show, often flying in from his off season house in Sweden.
Pavel Datsyuk was forced to sit out in the Wings’ last game, with 15 minutes left in the game, due to hip pain. His absence in the All Star game is bound to disappoint many sports fans, as he is reported to be playing the best hockey of his life this year - scoring 27 times in his last 15 games. A permanent injury could be detrimental to the Red Wings, and therefore his not playing in the All Star game is necessary to ensure his health.
Red Wings general manager, Ken Holland, stands behind his players, saying that he is upset with the leagues decision to bench the two Wings over missing the game. He has no intentions of forcing the players to go to Montreal when suffering from injuries.
"I have too much respect for Nick because I know he's playing in pain. He's done everything the league has asked him to do. He's put in his time and he's paid his dues. He's never come to me and asked out of the game before, so I know he's hurting. We're being cautious, because the last time I saw (Johan) Franzen (who has a similar injury), he couldn't play and wasn't walking well, I have trouble asking players who are injured to go to Montreal." Said Holland
The underlying question remains: is the traditional All Star event becoming less revered as it was in the past? The rules that force the Red Wings’ players to sit out in their next match were established to avoid a loss of interest in the event. The NHL does very well in advertising profits, boasting $10 million in sponsorships just for the 2009 game.
Commissioner Gary Bettman has thoroughly explained the policy, which stipulates that any player who misses the All Star game must have missed the game prior or miss the game after the event, more or less a “grounding” policy. The rules were adopted one year ago to avoid such a situation; with the All Star games losing interest and viewers, which some feel may comprise the spirit of the game. The game is viewed by some to be less about the players coming together for the sake of the fans, and more about advertising.
Despite the unfavorable opinions of some, this hockey game continues, much to the delight of hockey fans and online sports betting enthusiasts. It is particularly revered by online sports betting enthusiast who favor certain players over others rather than teams – providing a unique betting experience.
The two Wings will not be the only players missing the game, as Sidney Crosby from the Pittsburg Penguins will be skipping out with a knee injury. Crosby has not expressed concern with missing the following game, however.
NHL representatives rushed to remove all involvement with Sidney Crosby from promotional material. While many other sports are starting recognize player fatigue, the NHL will continue hosting All Star games as planned. The NFL, for example, has moved the Pro Bowl game to a week before the Super Bowl in 2010. For now online gambling enthusiasts and fans alike will have to wait to see if the All Star game continues as the years go on.
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