Why stars Auston Matthews, Tage Thompson are not at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game

The 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend is set for this weekend, however, not everyone selected as an All-Star will be in attendance. 

As is the case every year, not every selection has elected to partake in the All-Star festivities. Injuries and extra rest have been key factors for some players deciding to skip the event. 

Older players have used the All-Star break in order to rest up for the rest of the season. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin skipped the event in 2019 and 2020 so he could have extra time off to recover. 

For 2023, there are three stars that were named to their respective All-Star teams, but injuries are keeping them out of this weekend’s action. 

MORE: Watch the 2023 NHL All-Star Game on fubo TV: Sign up today!

Here are all of the All-Stars selected that won’t be in South Florida. 

2023 All-Stars not participating at All-Star Weekend

Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs

Matthews was one of the final fan vote selections, joining David Pastrnak and Andrei Vasilevskiy as the last three members to be selected for the Atlantic Division team. 

However, Matthews suffered a knee strain in the Maple Leafs’ Jan. 25 contest against the Rangers and was ruled out for a minimum of three weeks. As a result, he is unable to participate in All-Star weekend. 

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was named as Matthews’ replacement for the weekend festivities. It’s a fitting move considering the All-Star Game is being played hosted by Barkov’s Panthers. 

Matty Beniers, Kraken

Beniers was named as the Kraken’s selection for the All-Star Game, one of the eight initial members of the Pacific Division team. 

The rookie was injured during Seattle’s Jan. 25 contest against the Canucks after taking a hit from Vancouver defenseman Tyler Myers. He missed the Kraken’s last two games before the All-Star break. It is unclear if Beniers will be ready once the Kraken resumes play on Feb. 7. 

Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson was named as the replacement for the Pacific Division with Beniers unable to attend the event. That leaves the Kraken without anyone representing the team at All-Star weekend. 

Tage Thompson, Sabres

Tage Thompson was the Sabres selection for the All-Star Game, but he was a last-minute retraction from the All-Star event. 

It was announced on Thursday that Thompson would be in attendance at All-Star Weekend. He is currently nursing an upper-body injury that is not expected to keep him out long-term. 

The Sabres won’t be without a representative at All-Star Weekend. Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was named to the Atlantic Division team as Thompson’s replacement. 

2023 NHL All-Star rosters

Atlantic Division

* = replacement for Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)

** = replacement for Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres)

Metropolitan Division

Central Division

Pacific Division

* = replacement for Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken)