Jamie Nye: NHL All-Star rules need changing

Alexander Ovechkin and now Carey Price are testing not only the legitimacy of the all-star game in the NHL but the rules and format as well.

They aren’t going and both have a valid excuse.

Ovechkin, who is in his mid-30s, went all the way to the Cup Final last year and wants to rest for another possible Cup run this season.

Price is just back from injury and doesn’t want to possibly re-aggravate that injury in a meaningless event.

Both have to miss a game because that’s the penalty for not honouring your ‘all-star duties’. But with Price, the only reason he’s there is due to the NHL’s own rule all teams must be represented.

Five other goaltenders have better numbers in Price’s division alone. So you’re suspending a guy for not playing in a game he shouldn’t have any business being in any way.

Price and Ovechkin don’t owe it to anybody to be in the all-star game. They’ve been there enough. How about an over 30 rule. If you’re over the age of 30, you can skip it.

Let the young stars shine on all-star weekend.