Today, on this Friday night, 12 of the NHL’s top players were competing for a million dollars.
We could even say 11 players, because Nikita Kucherov didn’t give a damn.
He was even booed for his lack of energy.
Nikita Kucherov wants absolutely nothing to do with the NHL All Star Skills Competition#NHLAllStar | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/HqxVaUgF7r
– Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 3, 2024
He wanted absolutely nothing to do with the million dollars. At the same time, are you surprised?
I know it’s not necessarily a lot of money for a guy who earns $9.5 million a year, but it’s still pretty good, isn’t it?
Nikita Kucherov with a less than stellar showing in the passing event pic.twitter.com/w9xdVXM9Uj
– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) February 3, 2024
The Russian obviously finished last in the competition. He was one of the first to be eliminated, along with David Pastrnak, Quinn Hughes and Leon Draisaitl.
It has to be said that he’s not the only one who wants to be in the South at the moment.
Percentage of NHL players who wish they were somewhere else right now: 99.9%. https://t.co/0sLEpr0fbq
– Richard Labbé (@Richardlabbe) February 3, 2024
Connor McDavid, the man behind the new format, was crowned 2024 All-Star Champion.
He wins bragging rights in the NHL, the modest sum of money and this trophy.
A glimpse of the #NHLAllStar Skills Trophy pic.twitter.com/uAjxs9uoun
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 3, 2024
He won the obstacle course contest, the contest for the fastest, most accurate player with the best puck handling.
He’s good at everything!
CONNOR CLEANS UP
McDavid wins the 2024 #NHLAllStar Skills Competition! pic.twitter.com/ChO04S0F5H
– Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 3, 2024
The All-Star Game takes place tomorrow, live from Toronto.
Did you enjoy the new format?
Extension
Here are the winners of the other contests.
– After review, Nathan MacKinnon won the on-reception contest. Connor Bedard was on hand to pass the puck. David Pastrnak didn’t know what was going on.
Upon further review, one of Pastrnak’s shots was given three points, but should have been one.
So, One-Timers:
1: MacKinnon 24
T2: Draisaitl & Pastrnak 22
4: Pettersson 20
5: Kucherov 19– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 3, 2024
– The title of best passer goes to Elias Pettersson.
Elias Pettersson is your Passing Challenge Champion. #NHLAllStar | @Canucks pic.twitter.com/V0gztNbuDB
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 3, 2024
– Nine saves and $100,000 for Alexandar Georgiev.
Alexandar Georgiev makes most saves (9), so he wins the $100,000 available to the goalies.
– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 3, 2024
– Cale Makar wins the hardest shot contest.
Hardest shot:
5 pts: Makar 102.56
4 pts: Miller 102.34
3 pts: Pettersson 98.4 (defending champion)
2 pts: Matthews 96.22
1 pt: Pastrnak 95.27– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 3, 2024
– Here are the final standings:
The final event winner of the night! 👏
Connor McDavid(@cmcdavid97) is the @pepsi NHL Obstacle Course winner! #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/QIuqOTcPh8
– NHL (@NHL) February 3, 2024