The NHL knows it's All-Star game is lame. In fact, so lame that they didn't have one last year and nobody noticed or cared. An All-Star game is supposed to be a gem event for any league, so instead of ignoring its lack of popularity, the NHL will try to make changes.

AP writer Ira Podell called the NHL's newest advance to All-Star weekend “hockey's version of a school yard pickup game.” The NHL will switch from East vs. West to a system in which two captains select the rest of the All-Star roster. Fans will vote for the starting six players, but captains will have their choice of the best 36 players. The breakdown will be 12 forwards, six defensemen and three goalies. Each NHL team will still be represented by at least one player in the All-Star game or rookie competitions.

According to the AP report, the NHL never considered putting more emphasis on the All-Star game such as the way Major League Baseball has the outcome determine the home team in the World Series.

Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter

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