ESPN sees the Toronto NHL All-Star Weekend as an opportunity to try out additional coverage.
The NHL isn’t the only organization that tests various ideas that might eventually be incorporated into the game in the All-Star Game as a lab.
The events in Toronto this weekend provide ESPN and Sportsnet with an additional opportunity to test out coverage concepts that may be used in future regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs.
According to Linda Schulz, who coordinates ESPN’s NHL coverage, “we generally look at the opportunities of these tentpole events (like the All-Star Game and Stadium Series) as an opportunity to look at access and what it gives you.” “We have additional material, such as players receiving interviews and using the locker room. Additionally, it’s a chance for the league and the players to assess how comfortable and beneficial that is for them.
The NHL has expanded access to interviews with coaches conducted during games as well as player interviews conducted prior to games at the ice level during warmups. Regardless of the league or sport, increased access to the locker room is still something that all broadcasters are fighting for.
The NHL has permitted backup goalies to be questioned during a game this season. As mentioned by Schulz, they’ve only done it a few times thus far.
Because the backup goalie can provide us with access and perspective while play is underway, she stated, “We expect to do it more.”
Since the game is in Toronto and Sportsnet is the primary broadcaster, ESPN won’t be experimenting too much with camera angles and other new technology this year.
This Friday night’s revamped skills competition is the biggest change the league and ESPN made. The carnival-style rounds from previous years have been replaced with player input. It is swapped out for a format that highlights the league’s best all-around player.
Twelve all-stars will compete in four out of six events (fastest skater, hardest shot, stick handling, one-timer, passing, and accuracy shooting) in the new format in an attempt to earn points. The remaining six players compete in an obstacle course worth double the points after the field is narrowed down to the top eight, who will engage in a shootout. One million dollars will be awarded to the event winner.
For the third year in a row, John Buccigross will call the skills competition. With the cash up for grabs, he’s curious to see if the level of competition will rise.
“Those who succeed are the players. They must treat it with seriousness. They must exert every effort. Similar to how the competitive nature of the all-star games in the late 70s, early 80s, and early 90s began to fade when he was a child, he remarked. “Sport ultimately promotes competition, and athletes must deliver it.”
P.K. Subban praised the league for speaking with the players. Subban will interview players in the locker room and provide on-ice commentary during the skills challenge.
