QUOTE (TORHABSFAN @ Jan 2 2009, 12:06 PM)

the nhl is not going to change the results.
If gonchar beats Komi he simply won't be allowed to go and the NHL will select a replacement and it won't be Komi.
If MAF wins then he will go to the game. The NHL isn't going to cheat for Price Crosby maybe but not Price.
But the NHL press releases would have to list Gonchar as a "selectee" and asterisk him saying he won't be playing which highlights the whole ball of wax that the guy hasn't even laced up skates this season. The opponents in the media of the whole voting process would use the Gonchar vote as the lead example (this year) of what's wrong with it. I expect the NHL would rather avoid drawing attention to that fact, and that will only happen now if Komi (playing, and a top shot blocker and hitter ("defense") in the League) beats Gonchar out in the vote.
That's my point and my 2 cents.

I stand by my contention that there is an element of control/scripting available to the NHL and they'll use it (have been using it?) if they feel they want to or need to. I could certainly be wrong on this.
I don't see any notation anywhere on the NHL All-Star Voting web site identifying the independent audit firm that has been appointed to validate the results (a la Academy Awards, if you will).
I've been called a cynic (and worse

), certainly; I can't recall the last time anyone called me naive.
Additional note: I think Kovalev could be fairly entertaining in an All-Star game (no hitting, lots of dangling and extra passes), so there is an upside for the NHL brass to his selection, as well, even if the media (and others) contend he "
shouldn't be" third vote getter.