By: Mike Rifkin
Everybody loves the All Star Games. They are games for the fans, Thursday night the NHL announced who will be participating in the All Star Game in Las Vegas. Now there are two things that drive me nuts about All Star Games and how participants are selected. The first is fan voting, but that is a story for another day. The other rule is that every team gets a representative. This rule can work for MLB because of the amount of players on the field. But in hockey with the new format of the All Star Game which is three on three it doesn’t because of limits on the roster. Avalanche Captain and Captain of the Central Division Nahthan Mackinnon said of his teammate Nazem Kadri not being an All Star “ It’s silly. I don’t think every team should send a guy. It’s an All Star Game, not a participation game.” Mackinnon is right, this is a showcase of the best players in the NHL, it’s not about hurt feelings. So here are my alterations to the All Star rosters without a player from every team.
I will start with the Atlantic and take two forwards out. Nick Suzuki of the Canadiens had a great playoff run, but like the rest of Montreal has not had a great season. Suzuki does lead Montreal with 19 points in 36 games. The other is Drake Batherson of the Senators who is actually having a good year with 29 points in 25 games but if there wasn’t a requirement for every team needing a representative would he be in? My answer is no because there are four forwards, three of which are in the last man vote (voted in by fans) are more worthy. Those players would be Aleksander Barkov of the Panthers who leads them with 15 goals and is one of the best all around centers in the league. Brad Marchand of the Bruins leads them in goals and points and if on the team you can pair him with his linemate Patrice Bergeron to already use a dynamic duo. Lucas Raymond of the Red Wings ( I hear everyone in Detroit loves him) has 30 points in 38 games as a 19 year old on a Detroit team that is still in the playoff race. Last but not least you have Steven Stamkos of the two time defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Stamkos leads the Lightning 18 goals and 45 points in the most important number 38 games played. Injuries have hampered Stamkos over the years and now that he is healthy he is showing he is still a dangerous scorer. RIFKIN’S PICKS: Stamkos has to go in my opinion if this is a game of showcase. The other spot I would give to Marchand, yes he is a pest but he is a really good hockey player and deserves to be there. Trust me I wouldn’t be angry if Raymond or Barkov were going.
For the Metropolitan division I believe they got most of it right. I know the Islanders have struggled but Adam Pelech has had a good season but I wouldn’t have a problem subbing him for Kris Letang of the Penguins.
Onto the Central where the Coyotes own the league’s second worst record are sending winger Clayton Keller. Keller is having a very good season with 12 goals and 26 points. But if not every team had to send a player would Keller be on the radar? You have Nazem Kadri who leads the Avalanche in points with 48. If you asked people before the season started who would lead the Avalanche in points on January 14th their answer would not be Kadri. Ryan Hartman of the Wild deserves to be at the All Star game he is second on Minnesota in scoring and leads in goals with 15.
The Pacific is where the biggest snub takes place. Troy Terry leads the Ducks in goals and points. More importantly the Ducks are a great story in the NHL and have not been more entertaining since Gordon Bombay as their head coach. Troy Terry should be in over Jordan Eberle of the Kraken. Yes it’s the first season of the Kraken but 12 goals and 24 points in 34 games shouldn’t put him over Terry’s numbers of 22 goals and 36 points.
Not every team deserves a representative at the All Star game and that’s fine. These games are about growing interest in the game and having fun. But it’s an opportunity for the players to showcase themselves and some of them might not have another chance.
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