Star Power Is Alive on the NHL Ice

There's growing chatter from many sports columnists that the NHL is suffering from a star crisis.

They believe the NHL lacks true superstars.

But it certainly didn't seem that way at Sunday's All-Star game in Ottawa.

From Evgeni Malkin to Pavel Datsyuk to Marian Hossa, the game's top talent showcased amazing skills and athleticism. All three of players were vying for the league's scoring title at the break.

Sidney Crosby has been wearing
a different type of suit this year.

But the league's two "household" names did not play. Sidney Crosby's career has been derailed by concussions, while Alex Ovechkin is having his worst season in his career and sat home amid a suspension.

Often the only measuring stick used when gauging greatness is titles, and that's where today's stars come up short.

The salary cap put into place in 2005 to help hockey leveled the playing field. In the six years of the post-NHL lockout, 10 different teams have played for Lord Stanley's Cup and there have been six champions.

That's a far cry from the dominance of the Montreal Canadiens in the 70's, the New York Islanders and Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers in the 80's and the Detroit Red Wings in the 90's.

This topic probably would not even being discussed if the NHL got even a smidgen of coverage from ESPN, the 800-pound gorilla of sports media.

From the week of Jan. 7-16, ESPN covered the NHL less than Major League Baseball which is in the deep doldrums of the off-season. And all of most mentioned athletes were from either the NFL and NBA.

ESPN just ignores hockey and its stars, it is as simple as that. Without the Worldwide Leader constantly promoting its athletes, causal fans don't have a player and team to tune in for.

The NHL is a niche league, and for its diehard fans there is no star shortage.