Although the NHL All-Star game is still a few months away, I still fail to see why voting makes a difference. For that matter, watching the game.

First of all, the NHL ballot has numerous errors on it. Where is the leagues best goalie? Yes Brodeur is on the ballot, as is Luongo and Lundquist... Im talking about Tim Thomas. Ironically Tim Thomas did make the All-Star game last year, yet is posting better numbers this year (even Vezina worthy) and isnt on the ballot. I fail to see why. Thomas is probably the most exciting goalie to watch in the NHL. Maybe his unorthodox style of goaltending isnt the way you'd teach a young player to play the position, but it works.

Next, I fail to see why Gonchar, Whitney and and Philips are on the ballot. Even if Gonchar and Whitney were elected to go play in the All-Star game, odds are they wouldnt be eligible to play. Seeing as for a player to play in the All-Star game, that player has to have played atleast 20 games in that season.
Here's an idea, why not make the ballot after 20 games have been played in the NHL season? Its a crazy idea but it just might work! That way, the NHL can replace players who are injured for the season and put guys who are having breakthrough seasons.
As for Phillips, I have 1 less point than Phillips this season. Thats right, I have 0 points this season. I think you guys can do the math... So let me get this straight, a guy with one point is eligable for the All-Star game, but Thomas who has a 1.80GGA and a .944 save percentage isnt?

Needless to say, I dont see the point of voting. Not only is the ballot horrible, there's a few computer guys out there who are fooling around with the ballot. YES IM LOOKING AT YOU MONTREAL CANADIENS FANS.

Enough about the ballot, lets talk about the skills competition, particularly the shootout. Lets see, last year the shootout competition was won, and the player who won the competition didnt even score! Thats like the NBA slam dunk competition winner not dunking and winning the trophy. Maybe, just maybe, the NHL will place a rule where the goalie has to stay in his crease... Sounds logically to me. So I guess the NHL won't implement it.

The only thing the NHL did right, was holding the game in Montreal.

To conclude, I wont be voting this year, nor do I think I will watch the competition or game. The NHL seriously needs to tune up its All-Star game. The NBA and MLB have HUGE ratings for this event, and yet I know some people who love hockey (including myself) who could careless.

Cheers.