There's something wrong with the current format of the NHL All star weekend. There's just really nothing to get excited about anymore. But, with a few slight modifications, I believe it can become "Must-see" entertainment.

First of all, this terrible draft thing has to go. These are grown men, not kids playing street hockey! The idea of

2 captains picking from an entire pool is lame. Let's at least go back to the old conference system, so people can at least pretend they care about the selection process. Then, poor TSN can stop pretending they care about this inane display of idiocy. It just plain sucks.

Secondly, the All Star skills competition needs changing. Currently, there are 6 events in which the All Star NHLers compete, including fastest skater, breakaway challenge, accuracy shooting, skills challenge relay, hardest shot, and elimination shootout. This is far too many events to hold an audience's attention. Let's cut it down to fastest skater, accuracy shooting, hardest shot, and breakaway contest. The hardest hot is really the marquee event, and at least the breakaways are somewhat entertaining.

Thirdly, as far as the All Star game itself, I've already stated my distaste for the current format. I think the conference vs conference version had at least a bit of rivalry to it. But, I suggest a different scenario. Why not pick the best 20 or so players, goalies, defencemen, and forwards, and have them play an international team. Better yet, let's have our All Stars play against the All Stars of the Russian KHL league. At least then there'd be some pride on the line. Which league is better? That's how you find out. Also, I feel there should be a rookies vs sophomores games for the young and rising stars of the NHL. The NBA does it, and the fans love it.

So, there you go, NHL. That's how you make the All Star weekend relevant again. Enough with the stupid drafts and drawn-out pointless competitions. Let's make the All Star game mean something.

Just a quick note on Nathan MacKinnon. He's had a couple of features done about him on TSN and Sportsnet, and being touted as a top prospect for the future. Despite comparisons to Sidney Crosby, MacKinnon plays his own style, and come next year, will make Canada proud at the world juniors. The rest of Canada is starting to take notice of what we here in halifax already know. Nathan MacKinnon is a star.