All-Star Weekend Wrap-Up

• My favorite part of the entire weekend was Chara's record-breaking slapper, followed by the Breakaway Challenge. Chara's a team guy, and not one to put individual accolades over his own. However, I can't help but feel that he enjoys having the hardest shot title, and wanted to not only defend his title, but break the record as well. His smile and stick raise to the cheering crowd after hitting the 108.8 MPH mark proves that it was something he wanted, and I was happy to see him get it.
• As for the Breakaway Challenge, my brother and I disagree here. He thought it was stupid and a waste of time; I thought that, while hokey, goofy, and a little bit cheesy, it was also a lot of fun. Patrick Kane's Superman slide and exploding puck trick was great. Carey Price, who was arguably the star of the entire weekend with his antics, facing the wrong way and watching the shooter's reflection in the glass was hilarious. Corey Perry pulling the little goalie stick out of his pants (wait, what?) was like something out of "Slapshot." Sure, the moves were silly and were nothing like what one sees in a standard hockey game, but that's the point: let the players come up with something creative, and let them show off their personalities a bit. To that end, the event served its purpose well.
• Speaking of personalities, the whole Skills Competition does a great job marketing the league's players. There isn't much face time in a typical NHL game, save for intermission interviews and occasional "mic'd up" segments. However, the ASG events allow the players to show off their more casual sides, be goofy, and act like the big kids most of them are. Hell, even Scott Hartnell, a player I can't stand on the ice, came off as intelligent and friendly. FIX THIS, NHL. Kidding, of course, but my point is that the ASG is usually a means of selling the game to fans. It works because fans get to see the NHL players with their hair down (literally, in the case of Kris Letang), a side of them rarely seen on the ice.
• I know it's an honor to be chosen and blah blah blah, but there was really no point in having the rookies be there. They each got to partake in the occasional Skills event, but with the Rookie Game getting shelved, that was pretty much it. Either bring back the Rookie Game, or don't invite the rookies. Simple.
• If the NHL is looking to boost ratings for the NHL Network, have a reality show called "Evgeni Malkin Stickhandling," and make it just an hour of, well, Evgeni Malkin stickhandling. I'd watch it, DVR it, and then watch it again. He's a magician with the puck.
• My father thought it was dumb, but I actually liked the draft too. I can't help but feel a bit bad for the players sweating it out towards the end, but then I remember that they're all millionaires and suddenly I don't feel so bad. But it's cool to see the mini-alliances that are formed. For instance, Chara chose all of the Slovaks, all of the Bruins, and no Canucks. His assistant, Joffrey Lupul, chose the Maple Leafs. It's also cool to see the respect the players have for one another, with Chara complimenting Pavel Datsyuk when he chose him, and things like that. Again, showing personality, something the NHL often lacks.
• Overall: a great weekend. The game itself really wasn't anything special, but the Skills Competition and the draft were enjoyable and fun to watch. Good job, NHL.