Embrace it people...and get over it

So there has been so much talk about the All Star voting and the starting line up (just take a look around at some Hockey sites...you'll see), that I thought I'd give a few thoughts on it myself.

Here it is:

We're talking about the STARTING LINE UP people...12 guys...that's it. There are going to be about 40 additional players there as well. We all know what's going to happen. 45-50 seconds of play then BAM!...Line change. In the whole scheme of things, it means NOTHING. In terms of team pride...it means alot...to me anyway.

Who starts the game really isn't that important unless they are the guys from your team!! Of course I want to see my guys there...it's why I voted incessantly for them! But as far as the rest of the LINE UP goes...I want to see some quality players as well. You bet I want to see the Jeff Carters and the Alexander Ovechkins play...but I just as badly want to see Ryan Getzlaf, Scott Niedermayer, JS Giguere and Chris Pronger representing the Ducks as well. Just because they were on the ballot doesn't mean they were guaranteed a spot. Getting them into the starting line-up was the only way to ensure that.

The way it goes as of now, fans vote on the Starters...that's it. In terms of the entire game, it means nothing. In terms of bragging rights...it means nothing other than Ducks fans (along with Chicago, Pittsburgh and Montreal) put alot of effort into seeing the guys who represent their team get starting spots. I haven't heard any Ducks fans complaining about it. I'm sure the other three teams would say the same.

Overall, I'm sure the complaints will effect the way voting goes next year. For example, in order to get some team variation in the line-up, I'm sure voting "Ducks" wont be an option. Let's face it, Getzlaf basically only had about a 100,000 vote differential from his teammates. But if you ask me, supplying fans with a "ballot" in the first place really makes it biased to being with. When trying to think of other players outside of the Ducks roster and other than those already on the list, I had a really hard time. Coming up with a "write-in" vote was hard enough. The NHL wants "ALL STARS" right? So let the fans come up with that list on their own. Maybe for a month allow the "ballot" to be "write-in's" only. Then, the following month, provide fans with a narrowed list of those players most voted for.

Look, I'm not complaining...I'm a Ducks fan. I haven't heard any other Ducks fans complaining either.

Are you upset that the guy who you think deserves to be there isn't in the starting line up? Who cares...if he's really an All Star, he'll be there anyway.

The voting means nothing in terms of the entire team, the NHL is going to pick those guys anyway. But am I glad that we have 3 Ducks starters? YOU BET YOUR...!!!!!!