NHL Listens to Fans and Announces Big Changes to All-Star Weekend

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TJ Tucker
November 27, 2023 (8:27 PM)

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There have been many complaints about the NHL's All-Star game the past fe years. The league seems to have been listening to what fans have been saying, and big changes are coming.

First off, a whole new day an has been added to the festivities in Toronto, with events getting underway on Thursday. That includes a televised All-Star Draft, where team captains get to pick their players.

"The Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Player Draft represents the return of a concept that was an entertaining and engaging element of previous All-Star Weekends. The captains of the four All-Star teams, who will be paired with celebrity captains, will select their teams from the remaining pool of All-Star players, in a televised draft on NHL All-Star Thursday."

A fan vote, which opens in January, will be used to select 12 players to take part in the draft. All of All-Star Thursday will be aired on Sportsnet in Canada, including the Canadian Tire PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase. ESPN will carry it in the US.

While no details have been released yet, the league has also promised an entirely revamped Skills Competition for the next day.

"The events themselves will veer closer to hockey skills rather than some recent competitions like the dunk tank at last year's NHL All-Star Game in South Florida. There's also expected to be a greater emphasis on superstar players during the evening." - ESPN

Fans have been saying for some time that the NHL is terrible when it comes to marketing its top players to the general public. Again, it sounds like the league is listening. The All-Star game itself takes place on Saturday, Feb.3, 2024. The NHL hasn't said yet what format will be used.