The biggest NHL All-Star Game snubs
The NHL All-Star Game rosters were announced on Thursday, and there were certainly some curious absences. There is still a final vote to bring some 4 additional players in, but many deserving players are going to be left out of the festivities.
The NHL doing a 3-on-3 tournament leads to less players being selected to the All-Star Game, and obviously, spots are limited because every team in the NHL gets a representative. Perhaps you'll recall how in 2016, the last place Leafs had Leo Komarov represent them at the All Star Game and there are many examples of that this year.
Nick Suzuki is a great example of a player who probably has not done enough to earn a shot with just 19 points in 36 games, but because every team needs a representative, he got in over players in the Atlantic Division who are more deserving. This rule has lead to some significant All-Star Game snubs in 2021. This list is in no particular order.
NAZEM KADRI - COLORADO AVALANCHE
Nazem Kadri currently sits 4th in league scoring. The Avalanche have many exciting players and I won't argue that Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar shouldn't be at the All Star Game, but the 4th leading scorer in the NHL is waiting on a final vote to find out if he is an All-Star. Come on. Having the league's 4th leading scorer not in the All-Star Game makes it hard for fans to take the All-Star Game seriously. Just take a look at what Nathan MacKinnon had to say on the matter.
MIKKO RANTANEN - COLORADO AVALANCHE
Mikko Rantanen has 40 points in 30 games this season. Great teams like the Colorado Avalanche should have more representation at the ASG and just like Kadri, Rantanen is having a stellar season and deserves to be in Vegas in February.
BRAD MARCHAND - BOSTON BRUINS
Marchand is one of the hottest players in the NHL right now. He is forcing his way up the scoring ranks and love him or hate him, he's one or the more exciting players in hockey. The Bruins forward is one of the leagues most recognizable players and one of the few players who shows off their personality. It's a shame that he will not be at the All-Star Game.
WILLIAM NYLANDER - TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
The fact that William Nylander wasn't even nominated for fan voting is a slap in the face to the season he has had. With 38 points in 35 games, Nylander has been the Leafs' just as consistent as both Auston Matthews and Jack Campbell this season. Nylander still has the reputation he earned for being the Swede that held out for a fair contract, but he more than deserves to be at the ASG in February. For Leafs fans, this one stings.
JASON ROBERTSON - DALLAS STARS
The older brother of Leafs prospect, Nick Robertson, Jason Robertson has had an incredible start to his NHL career. Last year's Calder runner-up is having another fantastic season. He has 32 points in 27 games and is a young star who could have drawn more eyes to the Dallas Stars, especially if the league wants to grow in Texas.
ALEKSANDER BARKOV - FLORIDA PANTHERS
The Florida Panthers are one of the best teams in the NHL, and yet they only have one All-Star this year, so far. He's eligible for the final vote but as one of the NHL's brightest stars, the 26-year-old really needed to make the cut. He may yet get in, but if he misses, it won't be because he didn't deserve to be there.
STEVEN STAMKOS - TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Steven Stamkos has had a resurgence this season after battling serve injuries for the past two seasons. Stamkos looks as good as he ever has and he currently sits 6th in NHL scoring. Stamkos has been the best player on arguably the NHL's best team this season and was not named to the All-Star Game. It is embarrassing for the NHL if he isn't there.
IGOR SHESTERKIN - NEW YORK RANGERS
If I was placing a bet on who I think the Vezina nominees will be this season I would bet on Andrei Vasilevskiy, Jack Campbell, and Igor Shesterkin. The two formers are going to be the goalies for the Atlantic Division Team. Meanwhile, Shesterkin was snubbed from the All-Star Game entirely. In 22 games this year, Shesterkin has a 16-4-2 record and a league leading .939 save percentage. Had he not missed some time due to injury he likely would have made the roster but he was still snubbed, let's be clear about that.
CHANDLER STEPHENSON - VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Definitely the least flashy name on this list, but Chandler Stephenson has 36 points in 38 games. One thing that All-Star Game should do is market the local players. Being in Vegas this year, the league should have added another Golden Knight to the game. Stephenson is having a very good season and should be suiting up with Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo in front of the home crowd.
SIDNEY CROSBY - PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
I saved the best for last. Jake Guentzel has been the Penguins' best player this season, but that doesn't mean that Crosby shouldn't have at least been the Penguins' vote-in player. Crosby is scoring at a point per game pace and is still one of the NHL's biggest stars. The league has the new TV deal with ESPN and one of the best ways to market the All-Star Game would be by having one of the league's most recognizable names from the 2000's playing in it. This is the mother of all snubs.
While there were more players who definitely deserved to be featured in the ASG, these are the ones that really stand out as guys who should have been there regardless.
