By now, I am sure you have all heard about the John Scott fiasco regarding 2016’s NHL All Star Game. If not I would strongly recommend lifting the rock you have been living under and hooking up to the WiFi. Anyways, the guy is the definition of a grinder. Over the last 8+ seasons he has made a living battling in the corners, breaking noses, and amassing a grand total of 11 points. While these sorts of stats won’t win you an Art Ross trophy, apparently they’ll give you the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in the NHL All Star Game.

It all started with the NHL’s continuing effort to spruce-up their joke of an all-star game. What once started as an exhibition between the best players from opposing leagues was then morphed into a friendly match between two unaffiliated teams, drafted by their respective captains. This year’s latest installment was a 3v3 tournament between the 4 divisions, headlined by a captain from each that was to be selected via the fan vote. They thought this would increase fan interest, but it did so in a way they came to despise.

Anyone who has accessed social media in the past year knows how immature we all are. Between crying MJ faces and Steve Harvey’s miscue, people will find a way to make a mockery of just about anything; and they did just that. As a result, John Scott was elected captain of the Pacific Division. Thus, a man who played in less than half of his team’s games while recording a single point joins the ranks of NHL greats Patrick Kane, Alex Ovechkin, and Jaromir Jagr. Now in my mind, this is absolutely hilarious. Sure it makes the NHL look like an organization run by a couple of morons with no regard for future consequences, but you win some you lose most. At the end of the day, these morons messed up and they should be forced to reap the consequences.

But they did anything but this. Why? Because they hate fun.

Rather than let the poor guy live the dream and play in the all-star game, the NHL began measures as means of damage control. Several times they personally requested that Scott step down from his spot and say he will not play in the match. As any logical guy would do, he more or less told those suit and ties to hit the road. He was gonna play in this game.

Being the fun-hating tyrants they are, the league didn’t stop there. A few days ago Scott was included in a 3-player trade that would take him out of the division, involving two other players you have never heard of. What’s worse is his new team, the Canadiens, came out and sent him to the minors, stating he will not come back up before the all-star game. As a result, he becomes ineligible for the game. Now I would love to hear somebody’s argument telling me that the NHL had nothing to do with this, because that’s just insane. The league couldn’t stand to have some plug dulling up the all-star game when a true star could be out their shining. They valued a few more toe-drags in an absolute joke of a competition over the fans having a little fun. Sure the fans make the league possible, but clearly letting them have any sort of fun would be ludicrous. So here’s to an even more stupid all-star game that I for one will not be watching.

 

 

UPDATE: 1/19/16

Clearly, the league read my article and changed their mind. Either that or I’m just an idiot. Most likely the latter.