He is not an All-Star, but he is a folk hero.
January 21, 2016 1:43 AM Subscribe
[John]Scott is not a gifted offensive player. He's an enforcer. He's a 6-foot-8 fighter who can't skate all that fast, has only scored five goals in his career, and is averaging just over six minutes on the ice in the 11 games he's played this year. He is, by no means, an All-Star in any traditional sense of the term.Yet, John Scott was selected as one of the four Captains in this year's NHL All-Star game. (Note: Sidney Crosby didn't even make the team!) What happened? The Internet!
The NHL has had some degree of fan interaction in selecting All-Star teams since 1985, and several times people have tried to elevate goons and/or fan favorites to All-Star status. but by allowing voting on the Internet (with up to ten votes per address) the League created a situation where it was inevitable.
Initial response to Scott's selection was amazement. His team, the Arizona Coyotes, quickly demoted him to the minor leagues. Nashville is the host of this year's All-Star match and Nashville's GM did not want Scott to appear, Don Cherry, (in)famous voice of Canadian hockey, denounced Scott voters as jerks.
Meanwhile, Scott originally decided not to participate but his family talked him into playing.
After Scott said that he would play, Arizona announced that he had been traded to Montreal (who immediately assigned him to a minor team in Newfoundland). Some speculate that this was to remove Scott from the Western team where he was a captain, since how can a Montreal player represent the West? But there were many conspiracy stories making the rounds.
A lot of fans made known their displeasure with the League and Gary Bettman, who is commissioner, and eventually the pressure became so great that the League announced that Scott would play. Bettman said there was never any question about that. So did Nashville's CEO.
Scott has remained a class act throughout.
Just to be clear, what used to be a game between the best players in the East versus those of the West, has become at best a skills competition, at worst a meaningless spectacle meant to boost tourism for the host city. (Nashville is spotlighting a molten river of Velveeta as an attraction. No lie.)
I only nominally follow NHL, as I don't have a team here in Seattle, but my friends all over the States are huge NHL fans so I do follow the news.
I was furious about the league's treatment of Scott during this. Granted, perhaps we internet yoyos shouldn't make sport (hah) of anyone's livelihood, but the league's reaction to being embarrassed by taking it out on the player was obnoxious and callous.
Pat Iversen actually wrote what I felt was the best piece about it, before the declaration that of COURSE the league was always going to let him play.
posted by taterpie at 1:59 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
I was furious about the league's treatment of Scott during this. Granted, perhaps we internet yoyos shouldn't make sport (hah) of anyone's livelihood, but the league's reaction to being embarrassed by taking it out on the player was obnoxious and callous.
Pat Iversen actually wrote what I felt was the best piece about it, before the declaration that of COURSE the league was always going to let him play.
posted by taterpie at 1:59 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
Last year, I think Buffalo's Zemgus Girgensens was one of the top vote getters for the All Star Game because, as the highest ever drafted player drafted from Latvia, people from his home country went nuts voting for him. It was pretty funny to watch the standings and see him beating Pat Kane, Ovechkin and Crosby.
posted by kat518 at 3:59 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by kat518 at 3:59 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
Am I completely imagining that the NHL all-star game used to be a team of people from North America vs a team of people from the rest of the world?
posted by hoyland at 4:13 AM on January 21, 2016
posted by hoyland at 4:13 AM on January 21, 2016
Holy shit. The trade is pretty brutal. The guys wife is going to give birth to twins basically the same weekend as the All Star game. When she heard the news, she insisted he play it because she sees this as a once in a lifetime opportunity for him - that this is really every hockey players dream come true - to be the captain of a (semi) big deal game - plus that it is potentially worth a portion of the $1M pot that the winning team gets. For a guy with a few kids and two more on the way who isn't going to get the endorsement deals of Jagr - this is sort of the biggest and best news of the guys life.
And with the trade and the shove to the minors - the NHL makes him ineligible to play in an instant.
posted by Nanukthedog at 4:13 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
And with the trade and the shove to the minors - the NHL makes him ineligible to play in an instant.
posted by Nanukthedog at 4:13 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
CCBC: "After Scott said that he would play, Arizona announced that he had been traded to Montreal (who immediately assigned him to a minor team in Newfoundland)."Doesn't hockey players get any say in where they play? It seems pretty clear Scott didn't want this move.
posted by brokkr at 4:14 AM on January 21, 2016
Doesn't hockey players get any say in where they play? It seems pretty clear Scott didn't want this move.
Yes, some players have a "no trade" clause in their contract. I think you have to be really, really good to get something like that negotiated into your contract though.
The only thing that tends to bug me about this situation is that there are young guys who are really good and actually deserve to play in the All Star Game, but then I remember it's just an exhibition game that I don't usually watch.
posted by NoMich at 4:34 AM on January 21, 2016
Yes, some players have a "no trade" clause in their contract. I think you have to be really, really good to get something like that negotiated into your contract though.
The only thing that tends to bug me about this situation is that there are young guys who are really good and actually deserve to play in the All Star Game, but then I remember it's just an exhibition game that I don't usually watch.
posted by NoMich at 4:34 AM on January 21, 2016
Is he going to get his job back in Arizona or get called back up to the majors? Or is his career basically over because the internet liked him and the NHL didn't like that?
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:50 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:50 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
As a lifelong fan and an adult who came to playing hockey while temporarily living in Canada at the age of 33 after wanting to all my life... I'll tell you something. I played around rinks in Toronto where a ton of retired nhlers live and play in men's leagues... I've seen a bunch of grinders and enforcers from days gone by where the overall skill was lower than today and those guys.... Those "played in only 11 games guys" they're terrifyingly good at 55 years old. Terrifying. They can knock beer cans off the top of the goal from center ice. I saw a guy make a dollar a shot to hit the cross bar intentionally from center ice in consecutive shots. He made $25. Crazy good. There is so much politics in professional sports that as fans we lose visibility of the skill required to play even 11 games this year in the NHL. He's THAT good. So while he's no gretzky 99.5% of the guys in the nba are NOT a Michael Jordan. He'll represent himself and his team very well and with class. I can't wait to see him play.
posted by chasles at 4:54 AM on January 21, 2016 [25 favorites]
posted by chasles at 4:54 AM on January 21, 2016 [25 favorites]
Well, if Don Cherry is against it, I'm probably for it, whatever "it" is.
Also, fuck Bettman.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:56 AM on January 21, 2016 [14 favorites]
Also, fuck Bettman.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:56 AM on January 21, 2016 [14 favorites]
Oh and yes, fuck Gary bettman and Don Cherry.
posted by chasles at 5:00 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by chasles at 5:00 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
I don't really think anyone comes out of this as a winner except Scott. I think the Internet folks who did this were mostly being a bit mean spirited, and the media folks were really enjoying making a mockery of the NHL. Then the NHL got annoyed and those groups were inexplicably shocked that at the NHL's reaction. Most of the media whining about it came off as really childish and unaware of how their actions my be interpreted as others. In particular, its really turned me off from Greg Wysh's writing.
posted by lownote at 5:26 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by lownote at 5:26 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
He got word that he'll be allowed to play, but wearing what jersey?
posted by peppermind at 5:27 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by peppermind at 5:27 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
John Scott's All Goals From The 2014 / 2015 NHL Season.
He scored three of his five career goals while playing for the San Jose Sharks last season. All three goals look like talented goals to me.
posted by blob at 5:31 AM on January 21, 2016
He scored three of his five career goals while playing for the San Jose Sharks last season. All three goals look like talented goals to me.
posted by blob at 5:31 AM on January 21, 2016
The All-Star game has been a joke for decades. I feel bad for John Scott that as a result of the fans deciding to have some fun with the selection process - which, in all honesty, can be the most fun part of the All-Star game - that the league has fucked him over. The transparent villainy of the trade and demotion has taken a prank into something that makes a real statement about the state of the league and the NHLPA (which, fuck them for their silence): players are disposable and the only ones that count are the ones making big bucks, while the fans are deserving only of contempt.
posted by nubs at 5:32 AM on January 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by nubs at 5:32 AM on January 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'll tell you something. I played around rinks in Toronto where a ton of retired nhlers live and play in men's leagues... I've seen a bunch of grinders and enforcers from days gone by where the overall skill was lower than today and those guys.... Those "played in only 11 games guys" they're terrifyingly good at 55 years old. Terrifying.
Well, yeah. The skill level necessary to play in any top sporting league is basically ridiculous, because if you play in it, you are at least for a brief time one of the 300-400 people in the world best at that sport.
Brian Scalabrine, a back-of-the-bench player for the mid-2000 Boston Celtics, retired in 2012. Last year he did a charity event in Boston, a "can you take Brian Scalabrine on the court" sort of thing, where he was playing people one-on-one, most of whom were maybe half his age (he's 38).
He utterly destroyed everybody. For hours. Nobody even gave him trouble.
posted by mightygodking at 5:35 AM on January 21, 2016 [6 favorites]
Well, yeah. The skill level necessary to play in any top sporting league is basically ridiculous, because if you play in it, you are at least for a brief time one of the 300-400 people in the world best at that sport.
Brian Scalabrine, a back-of-the-bench player for the mid-2000 Boston Celtics, retired in 2012. Last year he did a charity event in Boston, a "can you take Brian Scalabrine on the court" sort of thing, where he was playing people one-on-one, most of whom were maybe half his age (he's 38).
He utterly destroyed everybody. For hours. Nobody even gave him trouble.
posted by mightygodking at 5:35 AM on January 21, 2016 [6 favorites]
Am I completely imagining that the NHL all-star game used to be a team of people from North America vs a team of people from the rest of the world?
posted by hoyland at 7:13 AM on January 21
That's one of the formats that the NHL has tried before returning to the East-West format. I believe the original intent was to raise awareness of the NHL players' participation in the Olympics. They also tried a pick up game format in which the captains picked their teammates regardless of team/division/conference.
posted by dances with hamsters at 5:36 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by hoyland at 7:13 AM on January 21
That's one of the formats that the NHL has tried before returning to the East-West format. I believe the original intent was to raise awareness of the NHL players' participation in the Olympics. They also tried a pick up game format in which the captains picked their teammates regardless of team/division/conference.
posted by dances with hamsters at 5:36 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Doesn't hockey players get any say in where they play? It seems pretty clear Scott didn't want this move.
When Ryan Miller was playing for Buffalo in his prime, he had a limited no- trade clause in his contract - I think he had a list of maybe eight teams for which he did not want to play. He was one of the best (possibly the best) players on the team at the time and that was his contract. So it's not surprising that someone like John Scott would have no flexibility.
posted by kat518 at 5:56 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
When Ryan Miller was playing for Buffalo in his prime, he had a limited no- trade clause in his contract - I think he had a list of maybe eight teams for which he did not want to play. He was one of the best (possibly the best) players on the team at the time and that was his contract. So it's not surprising that someone like John Scott would have no flexibility.
posted by kat518 at 5:56 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
kat518: "So it's not surprising that someone like John Scott would have no flexibility."To someone who only really follows European sportsball, that's insane. It would be illegal over here. Don't the players have to sign the contract with the new team, or is it just an agreement between the two franchises?
posted by brokkr at 6:14 AM on January 21, 2016
Oh and yes, fuck Gary bettman and Don Cherry.
Well, yeah. Like I said, Thursday.
posted by eriko at 6:17 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
Well, yeah. Like I said, Thursday.
posted by eriko at 6:17 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
Don't the players have to sign the contract with the new team, or is it just an agreement between the two franchises?
The latter. As noted, some top players get no-trade clauses in their contracts*, but for the most part, contracts can be transferred, intact, to any other team at nearly any time**. This is how it is in all of the major sports in the U.S.
* -- Those who don't will occasionally say in public that they do or don't want to be traded to X team.
** -- There are varying trade deadlines within the seasons to keep teams that aren't going to make the playoffs from having fire sales to teams that are on the bubble.
posted by Etrigan at 6:18 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
The latter. As noted, some top players get no-trade clauses in their contracts*, but for the most part, contracts can be transferred, intact, to any other team at nearly any time**. This is how it is in all of the major sports in the U.S.
* -- Those who don't will occasionally say in public that they do or don't want to be traded to X team.
** -- There are varying trade deadlines within the seasons to keep teams that aren't going to make the playoffs from having fire sales to teams that are on the bubble.
posted by Etrigan at 6:18 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Bryan Bickell and Mike Richards are interesting examples of what happens to players with no place on the current team but who have contractual no trade clauses. No one wants Bickell so he's going repeatedly back and forth between minor league Rockford and NHL Chicago; his family stays in Chicago. Richards spent some time in the minors after his legal issues and contract made him undesirable until Washington decided to give him a chance.
Also no movement clauses are different than no trade clauses, correct? If there's a no movement, the team can't send you anywhere without your consent whereas they can still send you to the minors with a no trade clause, correct?
And yes, Scott is the only one who looks good in the current fiasco.
posted by beaning at 6:32 AM on January 21, 2016
Also no movement clauses are different than no trade clauses, correct? If there's a no movement, the team can't send you anywhere without your consent whereas they can still send you to the minors with a no trade clause, correct?
And yes, Scott is the only one who looks good in the current fiasco.
posted by beaning at 6:32 AM on January 21, 2016
To someone who only really follows European sportsball, that's insane. It would be illegal over here.
Yep. The way The NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB are run are flat out illegal in Europe. Indeed, they'd be illegal here except they were granted anti-trust status by law. It doesn't infringe on labor laws, because the players are unionized and that's in the CBA.
There are good things. The salary cap and the entry draft mean that you don't get a Rangers/Celtic or Barca/Madrid like league where only a couple of teams stand a chance of winning the title. And the players get paid, minimum salaries run in the half million dollar range.
This is also one of the many reasons why promotion/relegation will never happen here. It's very easy to have a good team go south when they have to cut players to make the salary cap and because they were good, they were drafting late, so they don't have anybody great ready to step in. Because of that explicit bias against winners, pro/rel would actually discourage teams from winning the title repeatedly.
In Europe, if one league put in a cap, the players would just move.
posted by eriko at 6:33 AM on January 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yep. The way The NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB are run are flat out illegal in Europe. Indeed, they'd be illegal here except they were granted anti-trust status by law. It doesn't infringe on labor laws, because the players are unionized and that's in the CBA.
There are good things. The salary cap and the entry draft mean that you don't get a Rangers/Celtic or Barca/Madrid like league where only a couple of teams stand a chance of winning the title. And the players get paid, minimum salaries run in the half million dollar range.
This is also one of the many reasons why promotion/relegation will never happen here. It's very easy to have a good team go south when they have to cut players to make the salary cap and because they were good, they were drafting late, so they don't have anybody great ready to step in. Because of that explicit bias against winners, pro/rel would actually discourage teams from winning the title repeatedly.
In Europe, if one league put in a cap, the players would just move.
posted by eriko at 6:33 AM on January 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
It would be illegal over here. Don't the players have to sign the contract with the new team, or is it just an agreement between the two franchises?
It just works totally differently here. The players have valid contracts with their team that are transferable. If a player is out of contract he essentially becomes a free agent and can transfer to any team for free (oversimplification as there are different kinds of remuneration - mostly extra draft picks). The right way to think about a trade is that its a transfer for players rather than cash. It is not uncommon in US sports for players to refuse to sign a new contract, thus becoming a free agent.
Also no-trade clauses are more or less common in some leagues. For example in baseball any player with ten years in the league and five years with one team automatically has to give consent to any trade.
posted by JPD at 6:34 AM on January 21, 2016
It just works totally differently here. The players have valid contracts with their team that are transferable. If a player is out of contract he essentially becomes a free agent and can transfer to any team for free (oversimplification as there are different kinds of remuneration - mostly extra draft picks). The right way to think about a trade is that its a transfer for players rather than cash. It is not uncommon in US sports for players to refuse to sign a new contract, thus becoming a free agent.
Also no-trade clauses are more or less common in some leagues. For example in baseball any player with ten years in the league and five years with one team automatically has to give consent to any trade.
posted by JPD at 6:34 AM on January 21, 2016
I don't think the way trades work is an example of the anti-trust exemption.
posted by JPD at 6:39 AM on January 21, 2016
posted by JPD at 6:39 AM on January 21, 2016
Also no movement clauses are different than no trade clauses, correct? If there's a no movement, the team can't send you anywhere without your consent whereas they can still send you to the minors with a no trade clause, correct?
If I understand it correctly, the team can only demote a player x number of times and for only x number of days at a time. My guess is that this is their attempt to (a) prevent his full salary from counting against their salary cap and/or (b) get Bickell to waive his no trade clause and willingly go to a team that promises to keep him on the full time roster.
posted by dances with hamsters at 6:45 AM on January 21, 2016
If I understand it correctly, the team can only demote a player x number of times and for only x number of days at a time. My guess is that this is their attempt to (a) prevent his full salary from counting against their salary cap and/or (b) get Bickell to waive his no trade clause and willingly go to a team that promises to keep him on the full time roster.
posted by dances with hamsters at 6:45 AM on January 21, 2016
A lot of fans made known their displeasure with the League and Gary Bettman, who is commissioner, and eventually the pressure became so great that the League announced that Scott would play. Bettman said there was never any question about that. So did Nashville's CEO.
George Orwell would be so proud.
posted by tommasz at 6:51 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
George Orwell would be so proud.
posted by tommasz at 6:51 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
HockeyAnecdoteFilter: When I was a lad, our hockey team took a super long bus ride up to Eveleth to play in some random tournament that our coaches were all abuzz over. There were going to be actual Canadians there!
Who gives a crap? I'm 14, I'm all of five feet tall, and all I have going for me is a quick glove hand and a low center of gravity.
I'm pretty sure there were future nhl guys on that team. They got me for six in the first five minutes. I got pulled, then put back in when it was 16-0. Thanks, coach.
chasles: "..."
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe...
posted by Sphinx at 6:55 AM on January 21, 2016 [5 favorites]
Who gives a crap? I'm 14, I'm all of five feet tall, and all I have going for me is a quick glove hand and a low center of gravity.
I'm pretty sure there were future nhl guys on that team. They got me for six in the first five minutes. I got pulled, then put back in when it was 16-0. Thanks, coach.
chasles: "..."
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe...
posted by Sphinx at 6:55 AM on January 21, 2016 [5 favorites]
Also no movement clauses are different than no trade clauses, correct? If there's a no movement, the team can't send you anywhere without your consent whereas they can still send you to the minors with a no trade clause, correct?
That's quite a complex subject. It depends on the league and the status of the player. Veteran players in MLB have the right to refuse an assignment to the minors, which means their club has to waive them*M, or trade them to free up a roster spot for another player. Well, in many cases, they can just flag them as "Designated for Assignment", which means they have to take action in 72 hours, but the roster spot opens immediately.
* Waivers: If you want to cut a player, you have to give the other teams a chance to pick up the current contract. So, you waive your exclusivity clause in the contract with the player, and the name goes on the waiver wire. Teams have 24 hours to say "Yes, I will take the player's contract." If there's more than one, there's a list, whomever's closest to the top of the list gets the player.
If nobody claims the player, they then become a full free agent, but the team is still liable for the contract -- unless that player signs with somebody else under a new contract. The old one then gets "bought out" dollar for dollar, so if you were making $10M/yr at the old club, but $6M/yr at the one you signed with, the old club only owes you $4M, not $10M. Bad in that you don't get to double-dip, good in the fact that you'll still be making your old contract numbers until that contract ends, no matter what the new team is paying you. Unless, of course, they're paying you more, but I can't think of a single situation where a player on a big contract cleared waivers and then signed as a free agent for more money, though it might have occurred. Say the old contract expires at the end of the season, the club offering wants to sign a longer term deal. But again, I can't recall it happening.
posted by eriko at 7:02 AM on January 21, 2016
That's quite a complex subject. It depends on the league and the status of the player. Veteran players in MLB have the right to refuse an assignment to the minors, which means their club has to waive them*M, or trade them to free up a roster spot for another player. Well, in many cases, they can just flag them as "Designated for Assignment", which means they have to take action in 72 hours, but the roster spot opens immediately.
* Waivers: If you want to cut a player, you have to give the other teams a chance to pick up the current contract. So, you waive your exclusivity clause in the contract with the player, and the name goes on the waiver wire. Teams have 24 hours to say "Yes, I will take the player's contract." If there's more than one, there's a list, whomever's closest to the top of the list gets the player.
If nobody claims the player, they then become a full free agent, but the team is still liable for the contract -- unless that player signs with somebody else under a new contract. The old one then gets "bought out" dollar for dollar, so if you were making $10M/yr at the old club, but $6M/yr at the one you signed with, the old club only owes you $4M, not $10M. Bad in that you don't get to double-dip, good in the fact that you'll still be making your old contract numbers until that contract ends, no matter what the new team is paying you. Unless, of course, they're paying you more, but I can't think of a single situation where a player on a big contract cleared waivers and then signed as a free agent for more money, though it might have occurred. Say the old contract expires at the end of the season, the club offering wants to sign a longer term deal. But again, I can't recall it happening.
posted by eriko at 7:02 AM on January 21, 2016
"He scored three of his five career goals while playing for the San Jose Sharks last season. All three goals look like talented goals to me."
Even the worst NHL player is pretty damn good. For example, I was probably the best player for my High School, I could skate circles around my teammates and led the team in scoring. In college, I worked for the worst team in the ECHL (think second tier minor league hockey) and used to practice with the team on occasion due to roster turnover and their need for a warm body on the ice. Let's just say, I was the second worst skater and shooter out there. The guy I was better than was the designated "goon" who's main job requirement was to intimidate and punish, not skate and score.
posted by remo at 7:19 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Even the worst NHL player is pretty damn good. For example, I was probably the best player for my High School, I could skate circles around my teammates and led the team in scoring. In college, I worked for the worst team in the ECHL (think second tier minor league hockey) and used to practice with the team on occasion due to roster turnover and their need for a warm body on the ice. Let's just say, I was the second worst skater and shooter out there. The guy I was better than was the designated "goon" who's main job requirement was to intimidate and punish, not skate and score.
posted by remo at 7:19 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
The "traditionalists" (Don Cherry) are upset because this breaks hockey's caste system. John Scott is just supposed to be there to hit somebody (YouTube).
posted by meinvt at 7:21 AM on January 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by meinvt at 7:21 AM on January 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
Also, watch that video of all his goals from last season. Look at the smiles on his teammates' faces. That's all I need to see to know he's a good character.
posted by meinvt at 7:23 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by meinvt at 7:23 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
I think the Internet folks who did this were mostly being a bit mean spirited, and the media folks were really enjoying making a mockery of the NHL.
It may have started out that way, but John Scott is a largely beloved player in the NHL. He does a ton of community work, is always good to the fans, and has a great sense of humor. When you have a fan vote, you end up with the players that the fans want to see. To take that away when the fans don't vote the way you want them to is...well, a real Bettman move.
anecdata: I went to a Sabres-Coyotes game (two of his former teams) on Monday and there were a *lot* of John Scott jerseys in the stands. also here's a gif of tiny babby Cory Conacher being given John Scott's helmet by accident
posted by everybody had matching towels at 7:31 AM on January 21, 2016 [11 favorites]
It may have started out that way, but John Scott is a largely beloved player in the NHL. He does a ton of community work, is always good to the fans, and has a great sense of humor. When you have a fan vote, you end up with the players that the fans want to see. To take that away when the fans don't vote the way you want them to is...well, a real Bettman move.
anecdata: I went to a Sabres-Coyotes game (two of his former teams) on Monday and there were a *lot* of John Scott jerseys in the stands. also here's a gif of tiny babby Cory Conacher being given John Scott's helmet by accident
posted by everybody had matching towels at 7:31 AM on January 21, 2016 [11 favorites]
"I think the Internet folks who did this were mostly being a bit mean spirited, and the media folks were really enjoying making a mockery of the NHL. "
While it may have been a joke, I don't think it was mean spirited at all. John Scott gained a lot of notoriety via of all things, the NHL video games. People on Reddit and other forums, would joke about having John Scott on their HUT (think fantasy mode) teams and have fun trying to make him do things he wasn't supposed to do. It was almost like an inside joke, and more people started follow him in real life. If anything, I think the vote was more of a let the regular guy get some glory, or we joke about him, but we really love the guy.
As for the hockey media (Canada in particular), they just love any excuse to act like reactionary elitists.
posted by remo at 8:02 AM on January 21, 2016
While it may have been a joke, I don't think it was mean spirited at all. John Scott gained a lot of notoriety via of all things, the NHL video games. People on Reddit and other forums, would joke about having John Scott on their HUT (think fantasy mode) teams and have fun trying to make him do things he wasn't supposed to do. It was almost like an inside joke, and more people started follow him in real life. If anything, I think the vote was more of a let the regular guy get some glory, or we joke about him, but we really love the guy.
As for the hockey media (Canada in particular), they just love any excuse to act like reactionary elitists.
posted by remo at 8:02 AM on January 21, 2016
John Scott seems like a good guy who has had an interesting life (I think he completed a degree in engineering while playing college hockey). It sucks that he's been dicked around so much and I hope he can find some enjoyment in the game and festivities. I bet he'll be asked for a lot of autographs next weekend. And yeah, I'm sure he's insanely good. The Grim Reaper, he of 39 points in 729 games (and 2113 penalty minutes), plays beer league around here sometimes and he's unstoppable at age 50.
I'm not super interested in the All-Star stuff but we got tickets since it's local to us this year. I'm totally checking out that Velveeta volcano or whatever!
posted by ghharr at 8:06 AM on January 21, 2016
I'm not super interested in the All-Star stuff but we got tickets since it's local to us this year. I'm totally checking out that Velveeta volcano or whatever!
posted by ghharr at 8:06 AM on January 21, 2016
Can we really call it an all star game if they don't even play a game of hockey? There's a 3 on 3 shinny tournament, the shootout where players get to try their hand at prop comedy, the game where you take three strides into a clapper aimed at a radar gun. It's a $300 ticket to watch some 20 somethings play carnival games.
Also, I really hope John Scott gets to wear his IceCaps jersey.
posted by cmfletcher at 8:11 AM on January 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
Also, I really hope John Scott gets to wear his IceCaps jersey.
posted by cmfletcher at 8:11 AM on January 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
I've liked him ever since he tried to fight kessel.
posted by captaincrouton at 8:11 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by captaincrouton at 8:11 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
(I think he completed a degree in engineering while playing college hockey)
He does have a degree in mechanical engineering and leads a program to teach kids about STEM.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:17 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
He does have a degree in mechanical engineering and leads a program to teach kids about STEM.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:17 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
I, too, was wondering whether this Hallowed Sporting Event was going to turn into Carrie-on-ice, but then I found out that 1) the NHL All-Star Game is a joke (I am not a regular fan), and 2) the player seems pretty cool in person and about this while thing.
Between the start of the segment on this week's "Hang Up and Listen" podcast and its end, I made a 180-degree change in m opinion.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:28 AM on January 21, 2016
Between the start of the segment on this week's "Hang Up and Listen" podcast and its end, I made a 180-degree change in m opinion.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:28 AM on January 21, 2016
Can we really call it an all star game if they don't even play a game of hockey?
The past 5v5 all star games didn't bear much resemblance to a game of hockey either. I think it's always going to happen in a game that none of the players care about and where they are all probably actively avoiding working hard or risking injury.
posted by ghharr at 8:32 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
The past 5v5 all star games didn't bear much resemblance to a game of hockey either. I think it's always going to happen in a game that none of the players care about and where they are all probably actively avoiding working hard or risking injury.
posted by ghharr at 8:32 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Can we really call it an all star game if they don't even play a game of hockey?
The past 5v5 all star games didn't bear much resemblance to a game of hockey either.
Ditto the NFL's Pro Bowl, which now has the additional benefit of being played the week before the Super Bowl (was the week after until 2009), so no representatives of the two best teams in the league bother attending.
posted by Etrigan at 8:35 AM on January 21, 2016
The past 5v5 all star games didn't bear much resemblance to a game of hockey either.
Ditto the NFL's Pro Bowl, which now has the additional benefit of being played the week before the Super Bowl (was the week after until 2009), so no representatives of the two best teams in the league bother attending.
posted by Etrigan at 8:35 AM on January 21, 2016
It's always been a shameless cash grab but at least they used to play a half assed game using the rules of hockey. They might as well setup a camera and have the guys play Super Chexx while chugging Molsons.
posted by cmfletcher at 9:06 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by cmfletcher at 9:06 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Thinking about it some more, maybe the All-Star games should have a "Team Journeyman" slot for the team favourite regular guy. Someone popular with fans and the team but not really the dazzling skills guy. They could come up with creative ways to include them and some fun games.
posted by captaincrouton at 9:08 AM on January 21, 2016
posted by captaincrouton at 9:08 AM on January 21, 2016
I think the Internet folks who did this were mostly being a bit mean spirited....
posted by lownote at 8:26 AM on January 21
Who's more mean spirited here? I see this point, but I think the NHL and Old Time Hockey Guard are the real assholes in this whole mess. Bettman's statement that there was never any question Scott would play is a goddamn joke. The inside NHL media types immediately started to mention how their sources were specifically stating that Scott wouldn't play and the trade was directed by the NHL to this end.
And what of John Scott? The fans do love him. The Buffalo Sabres fans, of whom I'm lucky (or unlucky) enough to consider myself a part of, love John Scott and he only played for two seasons.
This is a great story about a guy who is incredibly talented and playing among the best in the world, and still isn't good enough to be anything other than an enforcer. The work ethic it takes to be an enforcer in the NHL for 8 seasons is insane.
I love that he's playing, I think it's great for hockey and now I actually care about the All-Star game. Also 3 on 3 has been an incredibly exciting addition this year so I'm glad they used that theme for the AS game. Should be fun.
posted by glaucon at 9:10 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by lownote at 8:26 AM on January 21
Who's more mean spirited here? I see this point, but I think the NHL and Old Time Hockey Guard are the real assholes in this whole mess. Bettman's statement that there was never any question Scott would play is a goddamn joke. The inside NHL media types immediately started to mention how their sources were specifically stating that Scott wouldn't play and the trade was directed by the NHL to this end.
And what of John Scott? The fans do love him. The Buffalo Sabres fans, of whom I'm lucky (or unlucky) enough to consider myself a part of, love John Scott and he only played for two seasons.
This is a great story about a guy who is incredibly talented and playing among the best in the world, and still isn't good enough to be anything other than an enforcer. The work ethic it takes to be an enforcer in the NHL for 8 seasons is insane.
I love that he's playing, I think it's great for hockey and now I actually care about the All-Star game. Also 3 on 3 has been an incredibly exciting addition this year so I'm glad they used that theme for the AS game. Should be fun.
posted by glaucon at 9:10 AM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Can we really call it an all star game if they don't even play a game of hockey? There's a 3 on 3 shinny tournament, the shootout where players get to try their hand at prop comedy, the game where you take three strides into a clapper aimed at a radar gun. It's a $300 ticket to watch some 20 somethings play carnival games.
To be honest, I'd rather see that (i.e. a lighthearted exhibition of skills by the most talented people in the world) than whatever else All-Star games are supposed to be. Like, I don't really care about which conference is the best or, in previous eras, whether North America is better at hockey than Europe or whether Jonathan Toews is better at picking a hockey team than Nick Foligno. It's already something that no one really cares about, why not focus on the athletes and give Johnny Gaudreau a chance to stickhandle in a phone booth or whatever?
posted by Copronymus at 9:44 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
To be honest, I'd rather see that (i.e. a lighthearted exhibition of skills by the most talented people in the world) than whatever else All-Star games are supposed to be. Like, I don't really care about which conference is the best or, in previous eras, whether North America is better at hockey than Europe or whether Jonathan Toews is better at picking a hockey team than Nick Foligno. It's already something that no one really cares about, why not focus on the athletes and give Johnny Gaudreau a chance to stickhandle in a phone booth or whatever?
posted by Copronymus at 9:44 AM on January 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'm no Bettman fan and take the players' side in all the labor disputes, but I'm not sure I understand how the NHL looks bad here. It was a trade between 2 teams' GMs, speculating that there's anything beyond than that is basically a conspiracy theory. Teams often make trades like this one for the benefit of their AHL affiliates. It's not an unusual situation in the least. I'd also point out that Scott has been put on waivers almost monthly by Arizona all year, long before the All-Star vote situation. And no one was claiming him. Because teams don't have room for him on their rosters, including Arizona, who unloaded an unnecessary contract here. Every player that ever gets traded is having their life uprooted, Scott is no different. Scott has never been with a team for more than 2 years in his whole career. When he was with Minnesota, he was bounced between the big league and their AHL affiliate in Houston. When you're as replaceable as Scott is in the league, that's life. It's the price you pay for making $700,000 per year to play the game you love.
And Scott is absolutely a fringe player in the NHL. Yes his actual skill set would put him way beyond the average beer leaguer as noted above, yes. By an objective standard he is very good at hockey. Among the professional ranks, not so much. There are dozens and dozens of players in the AHL and probably ECHL who could match his shot, speed, and hockey sense any day of the week. He's in the league because he's enormous and can threaten to punch faces really hard. He might not look totally out of place in the NHL playing against 4th liners, but in a 3-on-3 or in a skills competition with the league's best, you better believe he is going to stand out.
posted by Hoopo at 10:04 AM on January 21, 2016
And Scott is absolutely a fringe player in the NHL. Yes his actual skill set would put him way beyond the average beer leaguer as noted above, yes. By an objective standard he is very good at hockey. Among the professional ranks, not so much. There are dozens and dozens of players in the AHL and probably ECHL who could match his shot, speed, and hockey sense any day of the week. He's in the league because he's enormous and can threaten to punch faces really hard. He might not look totally out of place in the NHL playing against 4th liners, but in a 3-on-3 or in a skills competition with the league's best, you better believe he is going to stand out.
posted by Hoopo at 10:04 AM on January 21, 2016
and/or (b) get Bickell to waive his no trade clause and willingly go to a team that promises to keep him on the full time roster.
Bickell is 100% open to a trade to anywhere at all. His agent has come out and said as much. The problem is there's no trade to be made for a bottom 6 guy who makes $4mil/year in a league with a salary cap. But who knows, he could get lucky like the Leafs did in moving David Clarkson.
posted by Hoopo at 10:11 AM on January 21, 2016
Bickell is 100% open to a trade to anywhere at all. His agent has come out and said as much. The problem is there's no trade to be made for a bottom 6 guy who makes $4mil/year in a league with a salary cap. But who knows, he could get lucky like the Leafs did in moving David Clarkson.
posted by Hoopo at 10:11 AM on January 21, 2016
Who's more mean spirited here? I see this point, but I think the NHL and Old Time Hockey Guard are the real assholes in this whole mess. Bettman's statement that there was never any question Scott would play is a goddamn joke. The inside NHL media types immediately started to mention how their sources were specifically stating that Scott wouldn't play and the trade was directed by the NHL to this end.
Just because the NHL brass were assholes in response to something doesn't mean the John Scott thing is good-spirited or bad-spirited, it just means the NHL brass are assholes. And just because John Scott is being classy in response to his sudden fame doesn't mean it was good-spirited or bad-spirited, it just means John Scott has class.
Here's the Marek vs. Wyshynski podcast that is the very spark of the John Scott campaign. The part where they start talking about the all star game is around 6:00 or so; here's my transcript of what they say (I don't know who is who and I'm bad at recognizing voices, so I've just called them A and B; sorry.)
It's great that John Scott has been a champ about this - not that there are many other options for a disposable player at the end of his career with the spotlight suddenly on him - and I hope he turns this as much to his advantage as possible. But this isn't laughing with him, it's laughing at him.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 10:15 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
Just because the NHL brass were assholes in response to something doesn't mean the John Scott thing is good-spirited or bad-spirited, it just means the NHL brass are assholes. And just because John Scott is being classy in response to his sudden fame doesn't mean it was good-spirited or bad-spirited, it just means John Scott has class.
Here's the Marek vs. Wyshynski podcast that is the very spark of the John Scott campaign. The part where they start talking about the all star game is around 6:00 or so; here's my transcript of what they say (I don't know who is who and I'm bad at recognizing voices, so I've just called them A and B; sorry.)
A: So you're saying you want a Vote for Rory for a really skilled guy who may not necessarily get in, but if you give him the chance to be in a 3 on 3 with all these skilled players, he'd be super awesome. [...] 'Cause I thought you'd go the other way, of saying that the Pacific Division fans should vote in John Scott, just to see him...That's mean spirited. And that's what was behind choosing John Scott for the All-Star game. It's not because he's a hard-working lunchpail guy, it's not because he's got a good sense of humour, it's because he's a goon who would be shit at playing 3 on 3, and that would be funny to watch.
B: Oh my god, John Scott All Star! Just so whenever anyone has him on a radio show they can say Former All-Star John Scott.
A: But also, in the three-on-three...
B: Yes! He's the one! He's the guy!
A: Here come McDavid and Eberle down the ice and John Scott is nowhere to be found! [chuckling]
B: Well, this is some good coaching, John Scott is the trailer - no, John Scott can't keep up! [laughing]
A: This is great! John Scott is cherry picking. No, wait, he just lost his breath at his own blue line! [belly laugh]
It's great that John Scott has been a champ about this - not that there are many other options for a disposable player at the end of his career with the spotlight suddenly on him - and I hope he turns this as much to his advantage as possible. But this isn't laughing with him, it's laughing at him.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 10:15 AM on January 21, 2016 [3 favorites]
It was a trade between 2 teams' GMs, speculating that there's anything beyond than that is basically a conspiracy theory.
Three teams -- Bartley was in Nashville last week.
posted by Etrigan at 10:16 AM on January 21, 2016
Three teams -- Bartley was in Nashville last week.
posted by Etrigan at 10:16 AM on January 21, 2016
While the way North American pro sports contracts are treated would be illegal in Europe now, is that how it was pre-Bosman? I was under the impression that up to that time the player was at the mercy of the team and could be left to rot on the reserves even after their contract was completed.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:02 AM on January 21, 2016
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:02 AM on January 21, 2016
A couple of footnotes:
Scott has said that he wants to wear a Newfoundland IceCaps jersey in the skills competition because "That's who I'm with now." (During the game he'll wear an All-Star jersey like everyone else. In theory, he should wear a Coyotes jersey in the skills contest because he is that team's representative. It might be remembered that Ovechkin wore a funny hat and dark glasses in the skills competition a while back, so maybe the League will let Scott have his wish.)
Scott had made a T-shirt to give to his teammate All-Stars before he got the word he was traded. Then the company printing the shirts decided to sell them for charity (Hockey Helps the Homeless). You can buy one here.
Hockey players, like most pro athletes, have to be careful about what they say to the media; they can be disciplined or forced out of sports altogether. When you have other players lining up to say good things about Scott, you can infer that they are also saying something bad about the League and the owners. Don't forget that these athletes have been locked out twice in recent years while trying to negotiate a contract.
posted by CCBC at 2:20 PM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Scott has said that he wants to wear a Newfoundland IceCaps jersey in the skills competition because "That's who I'm with now." (During the game he'll wear an All-Star jersey like everyone else. In theory, he should wear a Coyotes jersey in the skills contest because he is that team's representative. It might be remembered that Ovechkin wore a funny hat and dark glasses in the skills competition a while back, so maybe the League will let Scott have his wish.)
Scott had made a T-shirt to give to his teammate All-Stars before he got the word he was traded. Then the company printing the shirts decided to sell them for charity (Hockey Helps the Homeless). You can buy one here.
Hockey players, like most pro athletes, have to be careful about what they say to the media; they can be disciplined or forced out of sports altogether. When you have other players lining up to say good things about Scott, you can infer that they are also saying something bad about the League and the owners. Don't forget that these athletes have been locked out twice in recent years while trying to negotiate a contract.
posted by CCBC at 2:20 PM on January 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Hoopo: "I'm not sure I understand how the NHL looks bad here. It was a trade between 2 teams' GMs, speculating that there's anything beyond than that is basically a conspiracy theory."
Even if the trade wasn't at the behest of the NHL the fact that that sort of action is what we expect of the NHL is why it looks bad. Most people are just going to assume the NHL met with the Arizona brass and said "fix this". The NHL should have shown unambiguous support for the results of the vote from day one because they are the ones who setup a voting system that allowed for this unintended consequence and anything else just comes across as poor sportsmanship. If anything they should have meet with Arizona and said something to the effect of "For the love of all you hold Holy make sure this guy makes it to the All Star Game".
posted by Mitheral at 9:46 PM on January 21, 2016
Even if the trade wasn't at the behest of the NHL the fact that that sort of action is what we expect of the NHL is why it looks bad. Most people are just going to assume the NHL met with the Arizona brass and said "fix this". The NHL should have shown unambiguous support for the results of the vote from day one because they are the ones who setup a voting system that allowed for this unintended consequence and anything else just comes across as poor sportsmanship. If anything they should have meet with Arizona and said something to the effect of "For the love of all you hold Holy make sure this guy makes it to the All Star Game".
posted by Mitheral at 9:46 PM on January 21, 2016
any portmanteau in a storm: "While the way North American pro sports contracts are treated would be illegal in Europe now, is that how it was pre-Bosman? I was under the impression that up to that time the player was at the mercy of the team and could be left to rot on the reserves even after their contract was completed."Correct. As I understand, what could happen pre-Bosman was that even after a player's contract expired, the (now former) employer could retain possession of the player's FIFA certificate, which the new club would need to obtain before they could put the player on the roster. Thus, while the contractual agreement between the player and the club had expired, the club still had the power to block the player from playing elsewhere in FIFA.
posted by brokkr at 3:58 AM on January 22, 2016
"I'm not sure I understand how the NHL looks bad here"
Fundamental rule: Bettman is wrong. I have seen the fans who, having just lost the Stanley Cup at home, will wait for Bettman to come out to award the cup just to boo him, then they leave. The home fans are always respectful of this, because while they were enemies until but a moment ago, all know that the tie that binds us together in this great game is simple.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! YOU SUCK BETTMAN!!!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
posted by eriko at 6:37 AM on January 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
Fundamental rule: Bettman is wrong. I have seen the fans who, having just lost the Stanley Cup at home, will wait for Bettman to come out to award the cup just to boo him, then they leave. The home fans are always respectful of this, because while they were enemies until but a moment ago, all know that the tie that binds us together in this great game is simple.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! YOU SUCK BETTMAN!!!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
posted by eriko at 6:37 AM on January 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
Can we really call it an all star game if they don't even play a game of hockey?
A bunch of people who have no experience working together thrown onto a rink for a one-off is barely a "game" anyway. It's a stupid stunt that might make some sense in the off season (if players weren't off playing in other leagues then) where it could fill some demand and give folks a chance to see some faves. In the middle of the season where it presents an injury opportunity it's just obnoxious.
I guess people like em, but I personally won't vote for these things in baseball or hockey and won't watch them.
posted by phearlez at 8:45 AM on January 22, 2016
A bunch of people who have no experience working together thrown onto a rink for a one-off is barely a "game" anyway. It's a stupid stunt that might make some sense in the off season (if players weren't off playing in other leagues then) where it could fill some demand and give folks a chance to see some faves. In the middle of the season where it presents an injury opportunity it's just obnoxious.
I guess people like em, but I personally won't vote for these things in baseball or hockey and won't watch them.
posted by phearlez at 8:45 AM on January 22, 2016
Correct. As I understand, what could happen pre-Bosman was that even after a player's contract expired, the (now former) employer could retain possession of the player's FIFA certificate, which the new club would need to obtain before they could put the player on the roster. Thus, while the contractual agreement between the player and the club had expired, the club still had the power to block the player from playing elsewhere in FIFA.
This is illegal in US sports as well. Once a player's contract is up he is a free agent. This was not always the case. Also in salary capped leagues there is a limit to what a free agent can be paid.
posted by JPD at 1:13 PM on January 22, 2016
This is illegal in US sports as well. Once a player's contract is up he is a free agent. This was not always the case. Also in salary capped leagues there is a limit to what a free agent can be paid.
posted by JPD at 1:13 PM on January 22, 2016
John Scott has a Player's Tribune piece about the whole thing, good read.
posted by ghharr at 11:33 AM on January 28, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by ghharr at 11:33 AM on January 28, 2016 [5 favorites]
I'm not a huge fan of these Tribune pieces but damn if that isn't some powerful shit:
“If the league thought this was an embarrassment, pretty much all of the players I’ve encountered have thought otherwise. I’ve gotten texts from so many guys saying the same thing: “You should go.”
And that didn’t happen because of the internet. I busted my ass to be one of them. I’ve skated every day since I was three years old to be one of them. I’ve persevered through Juniors roster cuts, Alaskan bus rides, Advanced Dynamics exams, and — yes — fights, to be one of them.
But I’m one of them. And that means a lot to me.
It means a lot to my family.
So when someone from the NHL calls me and says, “Do you think this is something your kids would be proud of?”
… That’s when they lost me.
That was it, right there. That was the moment.
Because, while I may not deserve to be an NHL All-Star, I know I deserve to be the judge of what my kids will — and won’t — be proud of me for.
posted by mannequito at 12:11 PM on January 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
“If the league thought this was an embarrassment, pretty much all of the players I’ve encountered have thought otherwise. I’ve gotten texts from so many guys saying the same thing: “You should go.”
And that didn’t happen because of the internet. I busted my ass to be one of them. I’ve skated every day since I was three years old to be one of them. I’ve persevered through Juniors roster cuts, Alaskan bus rides, Advanced Dynamics exams, and — yes — fights, to be one of them.
But I’m one of them. And that means a lot to me.
It means a lot to my family.
So when someone from the NHL calls me and says, “Do you think this is something your kids would be proud of?”
… That’s when they lost me.
That was it, right there. That was the moment.
Because, while I may not deserve to be an NHL All-Star, I know I deserve to be the judge of what my kids will — and won’t — be proud of me for.
posted by mannequito at 12:11 PM on January 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
Good article. John Scott is the only one who comes out of all this looking good. I hope he has a grand time on Sunday.
posted by nubs at 12:48 PM on January 28, 2016
posted by nubs at 12:48 PM on January 28, 2016
Just came to add that Players Tribune piece if it wasn't here already. It's necessary reading for this thread. This is a man everyone should be thankful to have the opportunity to be associated with in life. I hope he has a wonderful time - and never has to buy his own drink in a bar again (even though I suspect he'd insist on doing so anyway).
posted by meinvt at 5:10 AM on January 29, 2016
posted by meinvt at 5:10 AM on January 29, 2016
In case you're sleeping on the ASG, John Scott already has two goals.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 4:13 PM on January 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by everybody had matching towels at 4:13 PM on January 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
The Pacific Division team that John captained won the "tournament", so the players from that team will be splitting a million bucks. John was also named the tournament MVP, with two goals, the biggest hit the All-Star game has seen in decades, and a "fight" to his credit.
posted by nubs at 5:27 PM on January 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by nubs at 5:27 PM on January 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
That ROCKS. Go John Scott!
(Can't wait for the movie in a couple years...)
posted by sallybrown at 6:31 PM on January 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
(Can't wait for the movie in a couple years...)
posted by sallybrown at 6:31 PM on January 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
John Scott was also a write in candidate for MVP.
posted by ghost phoneme at 7:48 PM on January 31, 2016
posted by ghost phoneme at 7:48 PM on January 31, 2016
This obviously ended up as a huge positive experience for John Scott (and boy, do I love his shocked expression when announced as MVP) but the cynic in me can't help think that this happy end is mostly due to NHL/Bettman doubling down on their "this was our intention all along"-spiel.
posted by brokkr at 1:06 AM on February 1, 2016
posted by brokkr at 1:06 AM on February 1, 2016
There's a cynic in me that wants to agree, but I really think this outcome comes down to two big things: 1) John Scott going through it all with class and dignity; 2) all the other players rallying around John Scott and standing with him. This may have started as a joke - and the All-Star game is a cynical sponsor driven exercise to begin with - but it was the player at the centre and every other player involved who made it into something a lot more than that, and that forced the league to come around. As for the fans, well, we're a fickle lot who are suckers for an underdog story. Might have started as some fans having fun at a players expense, but by the end it is the fans giving him standing ovations and writing him in as the MVP.
Good for John Scott for being a big enough and smart enough human being to not buy into the cynicism and remind us all that there is a joy and a passion at the heart of the game.
posted by nubs at 8:22 AM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Good for John Scott for being a big enough and smart enough human being to not buy into the cynicism and remind us all that there is a joy and a passion at the heart of the game.
posted by nubs at 8:22 AM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
The NHL ditched its soul. John Scott found it for them.
All-Star MVP John Scott saved hockey, for a day.
posted by nubs at 8:54 AM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
All-Star MVP John Scott saved hockey, for a day.
posted by nubs at 8:54 AM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Last night was one of the best moments I've ever seen in sports. Truly incredible. As much as the NHL tried to mess it up, the fans got what they wanted and deserved.
Amazing.
posted by glaucon at 10:15 AM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Amazing.
posted by glaucon at 10:15 AM on February 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
All Star games are spectacle. That the NHL tried to attach some meaning to it is, well, Bettmanesque (almost went with Seligesque here). I'm not a huge Scott fan but if the game is going to be played and the teams are going to be selected by the fans, I'll be damned if they didn't end up picking one of the better All Stars to represent the game. In spite of the NHL front office. I do hope that Scott still gets that engineering job in a cube in suburban Ontario some day. Because I know he'll be happy for it and for the stories he can tell around the cube farm.
That's a stand-up guy. I'm glad the NHL didn't dick him over completely.
posted by Fezboy! at 10:39 AM on February 1, 2016
That's a stand-up guy. I'm glad the NHL didn't dick him over completely.
posted by Fezboy! at 10:39 AM on February 1, 2016
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Or, as we like to call it, Thursday.
posted by eriko at 1:57 AM on January 21, 2016 [30 favorites]