Livescore
Lists are always going to have snubs. There is simply no way around it, and the NHL All-Star Game is no different.
The league announced the final 12 selections for this year’s All-Star festivities, rounding out the four rosters for the divisional teams. With the given format, there is one representative from each team, with an additional two skaters and a goalie.
Given the limit on how many players can get selected, there are a number of players who should have been named a 2023 All-Star that weren’t. Among the snubs are potential Norris, Hart and Vezina winners.
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The Sporting News takes a look at the worst snubs for the 2023 NHL All-Star Game.
2023 NHL All-Star Game snubs
William Nylander, Maple Leafs
While Mitch Marner has better statistics than Nylander, I would argue that Nylander has been the most consistent Maple Leaf this season. He’s in the league’s top 20 in points and top 15 in goals.
Nylander has never been selected to an All-Star Game. Given the current format, it’s always going to be extremely difficult for the winger to be selected over the likes of Marner, Auston Matthews and John Tavares. I thought this year was his best chance to date, but the voters let him down.
Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres
For those waiting for the Dahlin breakout year, it’s here. The Sabres blue liner is third among defensemen in points and tied for second in goals.
With Tage Thompson continuing to light the world on fire, there was no chance anyone but him was Buffalo’s first All-Star pick. But I was surprised to see Dahlin get passed over in the fan vote. He’s a serious candidate for the Norris Trophy.
Jake Oettinger, Stars
A goalie in the Central Division was bound to get screwed over by the All-Star format. This time, it happened to be Oettinger.
While Juuse Saros has worse numbers than Oettinger, there has to be an All-Star from Nashville and he has been their best player. Connor Hellebuyck and Oettinger have very similar stats so it was going to be a toss-up between the two as the last goalie voted in. Oettinger ended up with the short end of the stick.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Oilers
It’s hard enough to get two players from one team selected, so when you have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both on your club, the chances of a third being selected are extremely slim.
That’s the case with Nugent-Hopkins. The center has very quietly put up 54 points in 47 games, sitting in 13th in the league. He’s going to shatter his previous career-best mark of 69.
Kyle Connor, Jets
What does this guy have to do to get some respect around here? Connor somehow remains one of the most underrated players in the league. He’s on pace to challenge his career-high of 93 points and is well on his way to his fifth season with at least 30 goals.
Connor is just outside the top 10 in the league in points and his eight game-winning goals are tied with Leon Draisaitl for the league lead. If not for the stellar seasons by his teammates Hellebuyck and Josh Morrissey, the American would be the Jet going down to South Florida.
Read the full article here
