By Craig Custance

updated 1:55 a.m. ET Jan. 25, 2009

I'm not ready to give up on the NHL's All-Star Game. The starters were a bit of a joke, but really, who cares who starts a hockey game? The game itself, Sunday in Montreal, has turned more into a way for the league to schmooze corporate sponsors than high-end entertainment, but that's part of running a league.

After the skills competition, the Jonas Brothers, Alyssa Milano, the parties — well, the game has become an afterthought.

But we're not just going to complain, we're going to fix it. And we have some help. I've asked a few of the most creative people I know to submit one change they'd make to help save the All-Star Game. My sincere thanks goes out to all who participated.

First, my three solutions:
1. Move it permanently to Las Vegas
If the league is serious about one day expanding to Sin City, what better way to see how well it would support hockey than by hosting the All-Star Game there annually? With all due respect to the last two hosts, Dallas and Atlanta, I'm guessing the national media would be more inclined to insist on covering a game in Vegas. I know I would. It would add an element of glamour to the game that you're just not going to get in Columbus. Maybe, as an olive branch to Canada, I'd alternate between Vegas and Montreal. It would only be fair.

2. Play four-on-four the entire game
One night I was sitting in the press box watching overtime and a veteran writer sitting next to me leaned over and said that, in my lifetime, we'll see the NHL move permanently to four-on-four in regulation. The play was that much better and more exciting. Now, I don't know if I'm ready for that jump just yet, but it certainly would work in the All-Star Game.

3. Pay a $1 million bonus to the game-winning-goal scorer
I realize most players competing in the All-Star Game aren't hurting financially, but many hockey players are tight with their money, and a cool million would be a nice incentive to play a little harder, if only for the third period.

And now, suggestions from our guests (and please, nobody tell George Richards that Alyssa Milano just got engaged):

Rich Hammond, Kings beat writer, L.A. Daily News
"Playing hockey games outside works. That's one thing the NHL has managed to do correctly. So cut out the regular-season "classics" and play the All-Star Games outdoors, on international-sized rinks. Put the world's best players in an exciting environment that actually looks compelling on television.

"Here's one more: fan voting for starters is boring. Let the fans vote for the top 42 players, regardless of conference. The two top vote-getters become team captains, and they alternate in selecting players, one by one, on the ice right before the national anthems. Team Malkin vs. Team Crosby."

Jay Feaster, former Stanley Cup-winning G.M. for the Lightning
"The first thing the NHL must do to save the All-Star Game is pull the plug on computer-generated voting scams that enable one team's fans to dominate All-Star voting. Second, let's make the game relevant. Let's make it matter. Steal a page from Major League Baseball and grant home-ice advantage in the Stanley Cup finals to the team representing the conference that won the All-Star Game. Imagine: So you recorded 135 regular-season points, San Jose, but the Eastern Conference won the All-Star Game. Boston will have home-ice advantage in the finals!"

James Mirtle, NHL editor at SB Nation
"I would have all 30 teams hold their own skills competitions a few weeks before the big weekend, and send the top 10 performers league-wide to the hardest shot, fastest skater, trick shot and puckhandling relay drills. Make it a true battle of the best in the NHL — even if those taking part aren't in the actual game. Hand out awards for each of the competitions — the MacInnis Trophy has a nice ring to it for the hardest shot — along with cash compensation."

Ben Wright, Blueland Blog
"The best way to turn the All-Star Game from a made-for-sponsors spectacle into a must-see event happens to be a way to make the real high-point of the second half (trade deadline day) more exciting. In an age where every star worth acquiring has a no-trade clause, what could add more importance to winning the All-Star Game than revoking the NTC of every player on the losing team for six months, freeing them up to be dealt at the deadline or at the draft? While we're at it, revoke the NTC of any healthy player who declines an invitation to All-Star Weekend."

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