UPD: NHL announces Scott WILL captain the Pacific team

[FeyWest]

Just have to say, the NHL hasn't made any updates on the ASG rosters, hasn't come out and said he can't play because of what's transpired and everyone's already got their pitchforks and torches out. Sure it's convenient that Scott was traded and potentially gives the NHL an out but do they take it? doubt it with all the uproar that IMO is jumping the gun a bit.

Also, as much as a lot of the media is getting the "Guilt Trip" story to well up feelings and such but everyone seems to forget its not just Scott that's traded. What about the other guys who had to just uproot themselves and move. Yes Scott has a pregnant wife and yes it sucks he has to move, but if we're gonna play the "Feel Bad" card lets also look at Stefan Elliott, Victor Bartley, Jarred Tinordi, and Stefan Fournier's families too otherwise it's just cherry picking facts and ignoring everyone and everything else to spin a guilt trip. Hell, if they wanted to trade Scott why go to the lengths of setting up a 3-way trade, trade him for a seventh or future considerations, it just seems a little too conspiracyish to me.

I agree if they weren't planning on letting Scott play then they should have ended before it had gotten to this point but there's no proof they won't yet. This whole machine's been driven by fans and media, and now regardless of if the NHL was going to honour the vote the whole time it's going to be looked at as if they are saving face. Now I didn't once care if Scott was going or not except for the fact he beat out Gaudreau for captaincy but it's now a catch 22 for the league. When Scott plays, and I bet he does (other than by his own decision), all the trolls and fans of having Scott play (Not saying they are one and the same because I agree not everyone voting for Scott were part of the Troll job) are going to pat themselves on the back and be happy for themselves they got Scott to play and beat out the "Slimy" NHL.

This whole thing has just annoyed me especially seeing fans and friends beat eachother over the head with 2x4s over something that was made up by a stupid Reddit troll engine on the NHL. But whatever, maybe it's for the best, we'll see what happens in future ASG's.

[Poe969]

He has no right to earn that money back. The guy broke the rules because he's a no talent goon who hurts people. He lost money because he crossed the line, if he wanted to earn it back he should have tried harder to actually play hockey and get a new contract.

[JiriHrdina]

This notion that the NHL is getting a lot of "bad press" is completely over blown. The only people debating this are NHL fans. It is a big story within the existing fan base and nothing more.

[GirlySports]

I have a general website questions.

a) could the NHL have prevented bots and trolls?
b) Do bot hits count as real website hits?
c) Do advertisers pay based on real website hits?
d) Wouldn't an advertiser be mad if they were paying based on numbers that may be bot hits?

That's bad for a big business like the NHL isn't it?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

This notion that the NHL is getting a lot of "bad press" is completely over blown. The only people debating this are NHL fans. It is a big story within the existing fan base and nothing more.

In this scenario, NHL fans could be only be lost though, cannot be gained.

[FeyWest]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I have a general website questions.

a) could the NHL have prevented bots and trolls?
b) Do bot hits count as real website hits?
c) Do advertisers pay based on real website hits?
d) Wouldn't an advertiser be mad if they were paying based on numbers that may be bot hits?

That's bad for a big business like the NHL isn't it?

They do have ways of preventing this, it's done on YouTube all the time otherwise guys could make a channel and then create a whole bunch of Bot accounts and get loads of free money.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

In this scenario, NHL fans could be only be lost though, cannot be gained.

While technically true, the NHL runs a monopoly on the best hockey product out there, so if you are a serious hockey fan, you'll likely come back. I know a couple of older gents who hate the NHL and don't watch hockey anymore after decades of watching, but almost everybody else (including me) have come back lockout after lockout. Those older guys kinda hate the way hockey is played these days, and couple that with the lockouts and the perceived greed, they walked away.

Some stupid ASG is not going to affect my affinity for hockey though. They start messing around trynna increase scoring; now that may prompt me to drop the Flames and become an LA Rams, LA Chargers and LA Raiders fan

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

That's fine. The NHL should have kyboshed the Scott vote back in December. They liked the web hits and the publicity.

I haven't seen any evidence that the NHL liked the web hits and publicity from the voting for John Scott.

They didn't promote John Scott in any way whatsoever.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

While technically true, the NHL runs a monopoly on the best hockey product out there, so if you are a serious hockey fan, you'll likely come back. I know a couple of older gents who hate the NHL and don't watch hockey anymore after decades of watching, but almost everybody else (including me) have come back lockout after lockout. Those older guys kinda hate the way hockey is played these days, and couple that with the lockouts and the perceived greed, they walked away.

Some stupid ASG is not going to affect my affinity for hockey though. They start messing around trynna increase scoring; now that may prompt me to drop the Flames and become an LA Rams, LA Chargers and LA Raiders fan

the older gents are getting more and more (like us!) and is the NHL drawing enough young fans is the question. If there is an issue where only hockey fans are arguing about that can't be good. Lose-only situation.

Most don't agree with me but the NHL playing it cool and letting Scott play would draw new eyes to the ASG. Who knows, maybe those new eyes see something else they like and views the NHL as hip for letting Scott play. If those new eyes don't see anything they like, you never had those eyes anyways. Win-only situation. Businesses have to differentiate from each other.

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I haven't seen any evidence that the NHL liked the web hits and publicity from the voting for John Scott.

They didn't promote John Scott in any way whatsoever.

they didn't stop it either. We'll see what the conclusion is next week. It's still a story without an ending

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

In this scenario, NHL fans could be only be lost though, cannot be gained.

Under both scenarios (Scott plays/Scott doesn't play) NHL fans could be lost, though I think it is unlikely in either.
But if a potential new fan tuned into so see a lumbering oaf playing the all-star game, that's not exactly them putting their best foot forward, particularly if that new potential fan doesn't have the context as to why he's playing.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Most don't agree with me but the NHL playing it cool and letting Scott play would draw new eyes to the ASG. Who knows, maybe those new eyes see something else they like and views the NHL as hip for letting Scott play.

I'm not a basketball fan, but if the NBA had the absolute worst player in the league as the captain of the All-Star team, I'd probably tune in to see what it's all about.

That would probably be the last game I watched though, because I'd think it was kind of a bush league.

[FeyWest]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Under both scenarios (Scott plays/Scott doesn't play) NHL fans could be lost, though I think it is unlikely in either.
But if a potential new fan tuned into so see a lumbering oaf playing the all-star game, that's not exactly them putting their best foot forward, particularly if that new potential fan doesn't have the context as to why he's playing.

I really think it will be a a neutral gain, maybe a small net gain or small net loss because I'm sure there are many who would be tuning out just as tuning in because of Scott. There's:

• People who will watch regardless (Like myself)
• People who don't watch regardless
• People tuning in for John Scott
• People tuning out because of John Scott

Again the league just has to make a better product IMO to get any realistic increase in views/revenue. I'd much rather watch for Johhny and Gio than for anyone else, Ovechkin as much as i don't really like him he is great for the ASG much like Johnny and Vorachek. All examples of guys who make the best of it and have fun and play around.

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Under both scenarios (Scott plays/Scott doesn't play) NHL fans could be lost, though I think it is unlikely in either.
But if a potential new fan tuned into so see a lumbering oaf playing the all-star game, that's not exactly them putting their best foot forward, particularly if that new potential fan doesn't have the context as to why he's playing.

This, exactly this.

As a young child, I liked hockey, but would I sit down, and watch a game like I do now, and cheer adamantly for my favorite team, not really. But I do have amazing memories of watching all star games with my grandpa, it was fun, and exciting, the best of the best on the ice all at once, no matter how meaningless or ridiculous the game itself was, it was amazing to see legends playing legends. What right does John Scott have to be there? What does he bring to the game, is he who you want representing the game to kids and new fans? He's the last of a dying breed in the league. He'll likely never sign another NHL contract, so why is anyone worried that him not being there will lose fans? I'd much rather see Max Domi out there with Johnny, the skill is what draws attention.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by codynw

I guess it might be fun to watch if you're used to watching Coyotes games. Nice change of pace.

Underrated zinger here.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Under both scenarios (Scott plays/Scott doesn't play) NHL fans could be lost, though I think it is unlikely in either.
But if a potential new fan tuned into so see a lumbering oaf playing the all-star game, that's not exactly them putting their best foot forward, particularly if that new potential fan doesn't have the context as to why he's playing.

You're looking at it more narrow than me. People tune in to see Scott but then see how awesome Gaudreau is. Otherwise they would never heard of or see Gaudreau. Especially if they pass to each other and yuk it up. They may tune into the skills competition too to see Scott hit a few targets and have funny interviews and feature and suddenly HEY Gaudreau just lit his stick on fire!

How often do we casually watch an event like the Olympics for one reason and then get starstruck by someone we've never heard of.

Gotta get eyeballs on screens no matter what the reason.

[sureLoss]

NHL @NHL
John Scott will captain the Pacific Division All-Stars at the 2016 #NHLAllStar game.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=798493&cmpid=nhl-twt

John Scott will captain the Pacific Division team at the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville, the National Hockey League announced today.

Scott, elected to the Pacific Division captaincy in fan voting while a member of the Arizona Coyotes, was traded Friday to the Montreal Canadiens of the Atlantic Division. The resultant change in division, and Scott’s subsequent assignment to the American Hockey League, created a unique circumstance that required review – the result of which was a determination to maintain the status quo for the All-Star weekend in order to preserve all parties' pre-existing expectations, including Scott’s desire to participate.

"I am looking forward to enjoying a fun and unique experience at All-Star Weekend in Nashville with my family," said Scott. "While being voted to the All-Star Game by the fans was not something I expected to happen, I am excited to participate in the All-Star events with my fellow players."

[Otto-matic]

Scott, elected to the Pacific Division captaincy in fan voting while a member of the Arizona Coyotes, was traded Friday to the Montreal Canadiens of the Atlantic Division. The resultant change in division, and Scott’s subsequent assignment to the American Hockey League, created a unique circumstance that required review – the result of which was a determination to maintain the status quo for the All-Star weekend in order to preserve all parties' pre-existing expectations, including Scott’s desire to participate.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=798493&cmpid=nhl-twt

[Poe969]

joke.

[PaperBagger'14]

Booyakasha! I'm glad he's in, if not for my own selfish entertainment, then for his wife and kids.

[442scotty]

A lot of nothing about nothing lol