14°c A few clouds
28°c Isolated showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
How about an all-star game at MTS Centre?
Winnipeggers should be rewarded for passion
OTTAWA -- The actual game might be a bit of a dud and the skills competition is beyond silly but the entire all-star weekend package with its mix of star power and hockey's newsmakers has its cachet and Winnipeg could and should have its crack at hosting.
How Winnipeg would respond to an all-star game isn't really in question as the city has an impeccable record when it comes to hosting big events like world championships, Grey Cups and Briers. Winnipeg knows how to throw a party and make its guests feel like the centre of attention. An NHL All-Star Game in Winnipeg would go over like free rye at a social. We'd drink it all up and then ask for more.
Jets chairman Mark Chipman said this weekend he'd like his organization to host an NHL Entry Draft, all-star game or Heritage Classic at some point.
"I think we could," said Chipman. "I think it's a ways off. There's a lot of people in line for it. But, yeah, we'd love to have an all-star game. We'd like to do one or more of these events but in due course.
"I think right now we're focusing for the next couple of years on being a member of this league and being the best possible hockey team and organization we can be. These things take an enormous amount of energy and resources. I have no doubt our community would support any one of these events."
The league has thrown the Columbus Blue Jackets a bone in granting them next year's game in hopes of energizing a demoralized market.
Awarding the Jets an event would be a different approach -- actually celebrating the game in a vibrant hockey market worthy of an all-star nod itself.
Things heard, seen and learned at all-star weekend:
There was a time when Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman were in lockstep on the issue of keeping the Phoenix Coyotes in Arizona but those days are over.
Scruggs blamed Bettman last week for preventing a sale by asking for a bloated sale price.
Bettman said this weekend the mayor was in over her head on the subject.
"The mayor isn't very well-informed on the status of the transaction. With all the groups we've talked to, price has never been an issue," Bettman said.
The most telling remarks on the status of the sale that at this point has borne no fruit came from deputy commissioner Bill Daly.
"We've been at this process for two-plus years now," Daly said. "At some point, if you're not successful, you have to turn the page and move on. I think there's a growing sense that we're getting there."
Moving on would mean the relocation of the franchise and it's believed there are four markets in the running, Seattle, Quebec City, Las Vegas and Kansas City. Seattle is believed, at this point, to be the lead horse.
Seattle is a major U.S. market with a hockey history and missing both an NHL and NBA franchise at this time. There's a theory, supported by NHL insiders, that the two leagues would like to find one owner for both a hockey team and a basketball team that could arrange the construction of a new building.
The Key Arena is an antiquated facility in Seattle that could house both franchises while a new building goes up.
Quebec City has talked about a new building (they would use Le Colisée in the interim) and some progress has been made but the fact they haven't begun construction has some skittish.
"I think Le Colisée is an option, but only if construction has started on the new building. There has to be that commitment," said one governor.
Bettman didn't want to go down either road.
"The last time I was in Le Colisée was for the world championships and I didn't go on a site tour," he said. "I sat in the stands. So I don't know the answer to the question because it's not anything we've looked at. To suggest anything else gets the excitement (going)... and I'm not looking to raises expectations because that's unfair.
Kansas City has a new building with no major tenant but never seems to get much buzz in these talks.
The NHL likes Vegas, they just announced an extension on their contract to hold the league's yearly awards weekend there, but it's a non-traditional market without a building.
gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 30, 2012 C2
More NHL
- Back to Top
- Return to NHL
More NHL
(1 of 5 articles for today)
Stanley Cup final: It's just a game but maybe hockey can heal in Boston
6:01 AM 0BOSTON - It's just a game, but maybe this Stanley Cup final can heal as well as entertain.
The Boston Bruins ...
About Gary Lawless
Gary Lawless is the Free Press sports columnist and co-host of the Hustler and Lawless show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg and www.winnipegfreepress.com
Lawless began covering sports as a rookie reporter at The Chronicle-Journal in Thunder Bay after graduating from journalism school at Durham College in Ontario.
After a Grey Cup winning stint with the Toronto Argonauts in the communications department, Lawless returned to Thunder Bay as sports editor.
In 1999 he joined the Free Press and after working on the night sports desk moved back into the field where he covered pro hockey, baseball and football beats prior to being named columnist.
Poll
Most Popular NHL
- Bigger, faster, meaner Bruins
- Home of Senators changes name from Scotiabank Place to Canadian Tire Centre
- Nothing upsets Teflon Claude
- Datsyuk, Red Wings agree on $22.5 million, 3-year deal, keeping him under contract for 4 years
- Bruins rookie D Dougie Hamilton looks forward to next season while sitting out finals
- Quebec City will return to NHL fold, Great One says
- Right wing the right thing for Ovechkin
- Sabres owner Pegula favours keeping Miller, Vanek, though decision to stay rests with them
- Vancouver Canucks sign Swedish goaltender Joacim Eriksson
- What goalies say, stays between goalies
- Shaw, Blackhawks beat Bruins 4-3 in triple overtime in Game 1 of Cup final
- NHL Awards: Capitals star Alex Ovechkin wins Hart Trophy as league's MVP
- Bigger, faster, meaner Bruins
- Bruins overcome terrible start to even Stanley Cup final with 2-1 OT victory
- Shaw annoys Chara, scores overtime game-winner for Blackhawks in Game 1
- Hart Trophy-winner Ovechkin says broken left foot is healing well
- Maple Leafs sign tough guy Colton Orr to two-year extension
- Edmonton Oilers confirm death of prospect Kristians Pelss in Latvia
- Senators coach MacLean wins Adams award for NHL coach of the year
- Bruins get even in OT
- AP Sources: NHL approves Coyotes sale to Canadian-led group, contingent on lease with Glendale
- Kane tweets that next year's NHL playoffs will be different story
- Combative coach Tortorella fired by Rangers after New York's second-round playoff ouster
- Ban on bodychecks has Winnipeg hockey community buzzing
- Shaw, Blackhawks beat Bruins 4-3 in triple overtime in Game 1 of Cup final
- Kane scores 3 goals, Blackhawks knock off defending champion Kings to reach Stanley Cup finals
- Stars unveil new logo, colour amid several changes on 20th anniversary of move to Dallas
- What now? Penguins face plenty of questions after post-season sweep by Bruins
- Original Six final has five big storylines
- Ralph Krueger out as head coach of Edmonton Oilers after 12th-place finish
- Team Canada takes bear spray to boot camp
- Combative coach Tortorella fired by Rangers after New York's second-round playoff ouster
- Winnipeg's Leipsic signs with Preds
- Ban on bodychecks has Winnipeg hockey community buzzing
- Avalanche remain silent on report that former star goalie Patrick Roy may return as coach
- Sharks try to shrug off Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Kings in Game 5
- AP Sources: NHL approves Coyotes sale to Canadian-led group, contingent on lease with Glendale
- Sharks hope to extend home-ice dominance in series vs. Kings and force decisive 7th game
- Blackhawks score 3 in 1st half of 3rd period to come back and beat Red Wings 4-3, force Game 7
- Kane tweets that next year's NHL playoffs will be different story
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.