Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted January 14, 2014 Report Posted January 14, 2014 In person, the draft was barely more entertaining than a root canal or watching paint dry. Last time it was in Buffalo, it was a different era. No social media, lots less coverage leading into it. I had fun just milling around and seeing the action. You could talk to execs and media in a pretty relaxed atmosphere in-between. Now, it may be more of a spectacle. If you are an autograph hound, you can make a killing.
LastPommerFan Posted January 14, 2014 Report Posted January 14, 2014 Geez Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse have both hosted major league all star games. Up your game.
Taro T Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 Last time it was in Buffalo, it was a different era. No social media, lots less coverage leading into it. I had fun just milling around and seeing the action. You could talk to execs and media in a pretty relaxed atmosphere in-between. Now, it may be more of a spectacle. If you are an autograph hound, you can make a killing. Had a very young kid w/ me at the draft. May have tempered my enthusiasm. There were a couple of cool moments I experienced, but overall wasn't impressed.
IKnowPhysics Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 Alright, so let's not get our panties bunched that we haven't gotten the draft and the ASG in a while. Anybody go to this All-American Prospects thingy in 2012? How was that? Pretty good deal getting two more of those?
dudacek Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 On TV, the draft is watchable, I'd go so far as to say entertaining, but then again, I like watching curling on TV. ;) In person, the draft was barely more entertaining than a root canal or watching paint dry. I saw the one in Vancouver - 2006, I think. Me and few buddies entertained ourselves by: - posing with the Stanley Cup - booing Gary Bettman (ok, I didn't but everybody else did) - figuring out Montreal was making a trade with the Sharks by watching the tables, then hearing the deal announced a while later. - listening to Craig Button trying to smarm his way into a job - a Wayne Gretzky sighting - laughing at how often Gord miller ( TSN announcer) dropped the F Bomb off camera - raising our eyebrows at how much of a kid Phil Kessel was. (He was sitting behind us in his bruins jersey playing with hockey cards.) - chatting with Kessel's brother (nice kid, I was disappointed he didn't make it) - trying to eavesdrop on the steady stream of hockey people sucking up to Don Meehan. - talking to a hardcore Kings fan who drove up from LA (I didn't think LA had those types) - watching Alex Ovechkin sign autographs and talk to fans - being amazed by Ovi's dad's brylcreemed hair, enormous voice and even bigger gut as it threatened to burst his polyester shirt - shaking Darcy Regier's hand and congratulating him on the best Sabres team in 25 years. (I know, I know) - just generally taking pictures and scoping out hockey celebrities. Call me a fanboy, but if had a great time.
IKnowPhysics Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 I went to the draft in 2010 at Staples. It was a good time. I went both days and the second day I snuck into the cordoned off seating area where the agents and draft-eligible sat, and sat in like row 2 near the draft podium. Shook the hand of J G-L on his way to the podium when the Sabres called his name. Booed Bettman at every opportunity. Cheered Sabres picks at every opportunity (which attracted attention and waves from our draft table and stares from everyone else, especially in like rounds 4-7). Checked out Staples, ate some food, and drank some beers (it was the first time I'd been there). Stole a 2' x 3' advertising the draft and the Cup on the way out, which is now on my wall at home. Good times, but I could see if you weren't hardcore hockey-enthused or unable to entertain yourself for periodic stretches, it could be boring as ######. What stood out to me is getting to watch the entire lives of young men change in seconds. It's crazy. One second, this 18 year old kid is sitting next to you with his parents, and one second later, he's headed to fulfill his dream of playing pro hockey in New York. Or Edmonton. Or Florida. You get to watch that happen to a bunch of kids, and it's neat. It's a happy day for a lot of young people; maybe the best day of their life so far.
Brawndo Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 Geez Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse have both hosted major league all star games. Up your game. Does the AAA Baseball All Star Game in 2012 count? :unsure:
LastPommerFan Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 Does the AAA Baseball All Star Game in 2012 count? :unsure: just be glad Albany exists and holds tightly to the title of "worst NY City on I-90" ;)
Eleven Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 Who the heck is clamoring for an All-Star game? Haven't most people moved beyond those nonsense affairs in every sport (with baseball being a slightly less offensive event than the others...)? Half of the thread.
dudacek Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 Tonight reminded me of another draft highlight I forgot: making fun of Bobby Clarke, snoozing at the Flyers table like somebody's great-grandpa after Thanksgiving dinner, then totally forgetting and botching the Flyers first pick — who, of course, eventually turned into Claude Giroux.
Hoss Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 I was going to head out to Pittsburgh for last year's draft, and we got tickets but a last-second family reunion notice prevented me from going.
Andrew Amerk Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 Half of the thread. Make it 53%. I'd love to go to one.
SwampD Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 Who the heck is clamoring for an All-Star game? Haven't most people moved beyond those nonsense affairs in every sport (with baseball being a slightly less offensive event than the others...)? I would love to go to an All-Star game. I think it would be a blast. And not fer nothin', but the fact that the MLB All-Star game actually means something to the outcome of the real season, in my mind, makes it the most offensive of them all.
SDS Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 I would love to go to an All-Star game. I think it would be a blast. And not fer nothin', but the fact that the MLB All-Star game actually means something to the outcome of the real season, in my mind, makes it the most offensive of them all. That's fine regarding baseball. I'm just saying that it could actually resemble a real game... or at least it had in the past. Last time I watched anything ASG related, Vanek was in the young guns game. I could possibly see enjoying everything but the hockey.
SwampD Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 That's fine regarding baseball. I'm just saying that it could actually resemble a real game... or at least it had in the past. Last time I watched anything ASG related, Vanek was in the young guns game. I could possibly see enjoying everything but the hockey. There are some real hockey games that are just awful to watch. Give me 11 - 14. That's just fun. It's fun to watch professionals actually smiling while they are doing what they do. I also love the mic-ed up goalies who have to make a save mid sentence. I get enough 'serious' hockey.
Andrew Amerk Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 There are some real hockey games that are just awful to watch. Give me 11 - 14. That's just fun. It's fun to watch professionals actually smiling while they are doing what they do. I also love the mic-ed up goalies who have to make a save mid sentence. I get enough 'serious' hockey. Bingo
drnkirishone Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 There are some real hockey games that are just awful to watch. Give me 11 - 14. That's just fun. It's fun to watch professionals actually smiling while they are doing what they do. I also love the mic-ed up goalies who have to make a save mid sentence. I get enough 'serious' hockey. i like the all star game for that reason. it reminds me of the roller (street) hockey games of my youth. where the primary objective was to have fun and secondary was to make as many crazy awsome plays as possible. I do want them to expand the skills competition and not gimmicky stuff like the breakaway (slam dunk) challenge. I am talking things like players doing onetimer slap shots from the point and half wall. Find a safe(ish) way to do a deflection drill. Also one that i really wanted to see back when Sakic still played...... fastest (mph) wrist shot.
MattPie Posted January 15, 2014 Report Posted January 15, 2014 I saw the one in Vancouver - 2006, I think. Me and few buddies entertained ourselves by: - booing Gary Bettman (ok, I didn't but everybody else did) I think that's Ban-hammer worthy.
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