The NHL released its full 2012 All-Star Game roster today. As always, there are names that are missing that maybe shouldn’t be and this is the article to recognize the “All-Star Snubs Roster List”.The All-Star game captains have yet to be announced, but they will divide the players into two teams fantasy draft style on January 26.
So we at SportsRantz will tell you our Snubs Roster list and well, there is no other way to prolong releasing our list so let’s just get to the list!
Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit) and Teemu Selanne (Anaheim) – They’d be there. Except they’re each 41 years old and they’d rather use the break to rest up and both players opted out. Hence why Perry made the All-Star game because the league took Selanne’s advice and gave his bid to the young star.
Florida Panthers forward Kris Versteeg is one player who deserves to be on the All-Star roster, but won’t make the game unless injuries or other circumstances open up a spot for him. Kris Versteeg has 39 points this season on 17 goals and 22 assists, and is on pace to score 78 points this year, which would shatter his previous career high of 53 and Versteeg has been amazing for the Panthers and is a primary reason the team is playing so well right now.If hockey wants to succeed in Florida, it needs to recognize the players on those teams doing well. The omission of Versteeg was a terrible move by the league.
The young Edmonton Oilers winger, Jordan Eberle, is the only player in the top 10 in scoring not to make the All-Star game roster. I understand Jordan Eberle is young and will get his chances to make the All-Star game, but he is very deserving given the fact he has been a consistent offensive threat on one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in the NHL. Eberle leads the Oilers in scoring and is a much more deserving player for the game than Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars, who made the roster. Despite being injured, Eberle should have been recognized with a selection then replaced because of his injury.
The Vancouver Canucks defenseman, Kevin Bieksa has played very well in his own zone this season and has even been a threat offensively as well. Bieksa ranked seventh in the NHL among defensemen with 25 points on four goals and 21 assists. His leadership and tremendous defensive play has helped the Canucks rise back to the top of the Western Conference standings after the team’s poor start to the season. He is an underrated player that still does not get the credit he deserves as a top-tier NHL defenseman.
The Boston Bruins center, Patrice Bergeron is the most deserving All-Star game candidate from the defending Stanley Cup champions, even more than young star Tyler Seguin, who made the roster. Bergeron is the leading Frank J. Selke Trophy candidate for his tremendous defensive play this season, and his play making and passing abilities have been so important to the Bruins’ success this season.Bergeron is second on the Bruins in points, and ranks among the best faceoff men in the NHL.
The Philadelphia Flyers Forward, Scotty Hartnell got a huge snub from the All-Star roster. Coach Peter Laviolette said it would be “criminal” if Hartnell didn’t make it. Alas, Philly already has four players going to the game – Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen as veterans, Sean Couturier and Matt Read as rookies. Hartnell isn’t the flashiest guy on the ice and some believe he’s only putting up big numbers because he’s playing with good line-mates. Makes it easier to cross him off the list. However, Hartnell was deserving of an All-Star nod, as he is on pace for a career-high 36 goals and 74 points. He has played a big role in the success of the Flyers’ top line with Giroux and Jaromir Jagr.
Washington Capitals Forward, Nicklas Backstrom is like the rest of the list as being a top player for his team and easily snubbed for other players. While most players in the Capitals lineup have had their fair share of ups and downs – including Alex Ovechkin, who was named an All-Star. Backstrom has 42 points in 38 games this season and has been incredibly consistent despite the team’s underachievement. Injury aside, Backstrom deserves to be in the All-Star Game and more deserving than that of Alex Ovechkin.
LA Kings Center Anze Kopitar, who has made two All-Star appearances in his young career, falls under the same hat as Backstrom. The Kings have obviously disappointed for most of this season, but that hasn’t stopped Kopitar from having a fine first half. He has 37 points on a team that has struggled (mightily) to score goals and has only four players with 20-plus points. Kopitar deserves to be a part of the All-Star game.
Pittsburgh Penguins Forward, James Neal was indeed snubbed and only 1 Penguin made the All-Star list. Only five players have more goals than Neal (21), with all five making the All-Star team. Of course, Neal is also playing with a broken foot and chances are he won’t mind a few days without putting his skates on; but that isn’t the issue here. A top player like Neal should have at least been given the roster spot as he is definitely a Star in the NHL.
Phoenix Coyotes Goaltender, Mike Smith not getting an All-Star nod is shocking just by looking at his numbers! One of the biggest snubs has to go to Mike Smith. And he has the best numbers (.924 SV%) of any goalie (min. 20 games) that didn’t make the cut. Also has better numbers than Carey Price, who did make the All-Star game.
Other snub candidates include Tomas Vanek (Buffalo), Patrik Elias (New Jersey), Patrick Sharp (Chicago), Jason Garrison (Florida), Zach Parise (New Jersey) , Loui Eriksson ( Dallas Stars),