The allstar game is a joke, so I don’t care. I’d rather watch details of the latest celebrity trainwreck than be tortured by it.

The last time something interesting happened at the allstar game it was Lindros first shift way back in his first allstar game when he actually threw a bodycheck. Come to think of it that’s the last interesting thing that happened to Lindros too.

Replace the all star game with a winter classic style game that would have last years cup contenders square off in a preferably outdoor venue, but if not then a large indoor venue. Make it worth 2 points, then it might be interesting.

Posted by Ryan from BC on 01/15/08 at 01:35 PM ET

i agree w/ Ryan. 

The only part of the All-Stars that is remotely interesting is the skills competition.  That’s sad.

Posted by LOUiE on 01/15/08 at 03:16 PM ET

Ho hum,

Luongo is a good goalie and decent person, but let’s face it he thinks he is bigger than the game itself (sort of like Canuck fans and media).

To thumb your nose as an all-star starter is unforgivable, family duties or not.  How about earlier this year when asked about changing the size of the net.  Luongo said he would quit if that happened.  Again, bigger than the game?

Just my opinion.

Posted by T. R. Walker from Nanaimo, BC on 01/15/08 at 03:36 PM ET

Walker - if your job awarded you with an extra day of work w/o pay for being ‘good’ at your job would you work?

If this turns into another Tony Romo ‘scandal’... God help us

Posted by LOUiE on 01/15/08 at 03:45 PM ET

T.R. Walker—do you have any grasp of what the concept of “delicate” pregnancy means? One that’s at serious enough risk that Luongo’s wife is living thousands of miles away because she needs the constant care and presence of family while he’s on the road with his team?

You’re talking about a child’s life. If you think the game of hockey is “bigger” than that, then I really have no response.

As for Luongo’s issues with the nets, another issue entirely, and certainly not in the same league as his worrying about the health of his wife and baby.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/15/08 at 03:53 PM ET

Peddle it somewhere else Oprah.

Why doesn’t he just take the rest of the season off now then?  And come back at playoff time if it’s such a difficult, delicate (give me a break)thing.

Brutal

Posted by T.R. Walker from Nanaimo, BC on 01/15/08 at 03:57 PM ET

“Peddle it somewhere else Oprah.”

Ha! You get points for being amusing, Walker, I’ll give you that.  Just chill out a bit. The world doesn’t end just because someone disagrees with you.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/15/08 at 04:21 PM ET

You might try taking some of your own advice.

T.R.

Posted by T. R. Walker from Nanaimo, BC on 01/15/08 at 04:25 PM ET

Not too many tenders play as many games as Luongo. As Alana banana has pointed out several times in other posts, NO team travels as much as the Canucks.

Point is, I don’t think you can call into question his dedication to the sport.

I have NEVER heard him take credit for a team win. He always defers to the team playing well in front of him. Every home game, win or lose he finds a child in the stands and gives them his stick…

EVEN if he didn’t have some personal issues that required his time I wouldn’t blame him for taking the game off, the fact that he does makes even more obvious of a decision.

Maybe he should just play like Player X from Toronto, and just plain suck, so it wouldn’t be a discussion at all?

Posted by Ryan from BC on 01/15/08 at 05:15 PM ET

Maybe he should just play like Player X from Toronto, and just plain suck, so it wouldn’t be a discussion at all?

That would definitely help out my Flames, unfortunately Bobby Lou rarely pulls the chute.

Posted by dash_pinched on 01/15/08 at 05:37 PM ET

People who go on the internet and spout stuff off that they would never say to somebody in person are immature idiots. Apparently, if his wife and unborn child were at risk, T.R. wouldn’t care.  Get over yourself.  Luongo is 100 times the man you are. 

I would support any player in the league who made this decision.  And those who refuse to understand are just being idiots.  Get over it!

Posted by Jessie from Vancouver on 01/15/08 at 09:58 PM ET

That is horrible!  If I read it correctly, Luongo does not plan to see his wife again until after the baby is born.  I know, the baby is due in April, and what is he going to do?  Miss the playoffs for family reasons?  And there’re still people who question his dedication to the game.

Posted by Kel from San Jose, CA on 01/16/08 at 01:46 PM ET

I guess Vancouver fans will put the spin on anything to protect their hockey heroes.  However, we are talking about a multi-millionaire here, not some guy working in a coal mine thousands of miles away from his home, because it’s the only work he can get.

I will say any of these things to anybody’s face.  It is my right in a free country.  As for the above self righteous comments.  Funny how they start off logical and calm and suddenly digress into there own loud mouth opinions.  Not that htere’s anything wrong with that.

Let’s all just get along, shall we?

Nuff said.

Posted by T. R. Walker from Nanaimo, BC on 01/16/08 at 02:15 PM ET

that’s a comedic response but it is good to know you’d be just as heartless in person as on the net.

i detect a hint of disdain for the wealthy.  he’s rich for playing a game not for stealing blood diamonds from the Congo.  I’d give anyone a break if it came down to their family for whatever reason and would be pretty pissed if any spectator wouldn’t understand regardless of fame or wealth.

Posted by LOUiE on 01/16/08 at 02:39 PM ET

T. R. Walker from Nanaimo, BC,

Just so I am clear on your argument, because he has money, family doesn’t matter?

I would imagine if you were one of the best 60 in the world at your job, you would get paid millions too. I wouldn’t think less of you because of it. But I don’t think much of you as it is.

Posted by Ryan from BC on 01/16/08 at 07:29 PM ET

That’s it I’m taking my puck and going home.

You guys are so mean.

TTFN from the land of the free.

Posted by T. R. Walker from Nanaimo, BC on 01/16/08 at 07:51 PM ET