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NHL All-Star Game next victim of lockout?
By
BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency
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  The All-Star Game could be on the chopping block if the NHL announces another round of game cancellations. (BLAIR GABLE/Reuters file photo)
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The Winter Classic is already gone. The next victim could be the NHL All-Star Game.
While the league has held off on postponing the all-star weekend in Columbus after cancelling the first two months of the regular season, that may not be the case next time around if more games are cut next week.
At this juncture, the league is not going to have an 82-game season. Whether it’s 50-or-60 games that are played if a collective bargaining agreement in place this year, it’s going to be packed into a short period of time so the playoffs don’t end in July.
The all-star weekend is set for Jan. 26-27. If it’s not held then it would simply be postponed until next year.
“Losing all-star weekend will be another hit for the sponsors,” said league insider Friday. “This weekend is about making sure the sponsors get something back for the role they play in the league and it’s a chance to feature the stars.
“No, the game doesn’t mean anything in the big scheme of things, but it’s important in a market like Columbus where they need something positive.”
