On Thursday night, the NHL announced the first 32 players competing in the 2023-24 NHL All-Star Game, which is set to take place on Feb. 3 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Considering the league aims to grow the game at this event and attract as many eyeballs to their product as possible, they require a representative from every team.
However, the format and eventual picks have angered fans for years, leading many to voice their displeasure about the process on social media. So now that we have the first 32 NHL All-Stars figured out, there are some curious selections again in 2024, and we aim to look at the most interesting picks.
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Whether or not you agree with all the NHL All-Star game choices, tonight’s announcement usually is one of the most talked about nights of the regular season, and as always, tonight did not disappoint.
Artemi Panarin shockingly left out of NHL All-Star game
Heading into action on Jan. 4 Artemi Panarin ranks fifth in NHL scoring behind Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and William Nylander. Interestingly, the top three skaters were named to the All-Star Game, while Nylander lost out to Auston Matthews, who already has 30 goals.
However, as the best player on the New York Rangers, Panarin is on pace for his first 100-point season. Yet was not selected for the game in favor of teammate Igor Shesterkin. Hopefully, the fans vote him in since he’s an early favorite to win the Hart Trophy as league MVP.
Elias Lindholm boosting his profile ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline
Unfortunately, the NHL dropped the ball regarding the Calgary Flames representative, opting to select Elias Lindholm for his first All-Star Game despite being the third leading scorer on the team between Blake Coleman and Nazem Kadri. Meanwhile, it is interesting that Lindholm is the team’s All-Star selection this year when many in the hockey community know he’s the most significant trade asset in the lineup.
Realistically, no one expects him to finish the season in Canada, which makes him a curious pick over Coleman, who has 27 points and is plus-14 after 37 games.
Kraken leading scorer Vince Dunn kept off All-Star roster
Out of the 32 teams in the NHL, only three have a leading scorer who plays defense. Surprisingly, the top scorer of the Seattle Kraken is Vince Dunn, who was not the team’s pick for the All-Star Game. No offense to Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has 29 points compared to Dunn’s 31, but leading an NHL team in scoring as a defender is not a common occurrence.
However, besides Dunn and Bjorkstrand, the NHL could have selected Joey Daccord, who recently recorded the first shutout in Winter Classic history and has more than carried the Kraken back to respectability after a poor start. Instead, the league loaded up on goalies from other teams, forcing their hand in Seattle to pick a forward despite not being the best option.
Former NHL penalty minutes leader Tom Wilson earns nod for 2023-24 NHL All-Star Game
The Washington Capitals are just hanging around the Eastern Conference playoff picture without future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin scoring any goals. Realistically, if the man with the second most goals in NHL history were firing on cylinders, he’d be at the game without question. However, he’s slumped through most of the season, and the team has gotten by thanks to the brilliant play of goalie Charlie Lindgren, who is 7-3-3 with a .923 save percentage and 2.23 goals-against average.
But, instead of going to the All-Star Game, the NHL opted to select Tom Wilson, who routinely racks up the most penalty minutes and suspensions yearly. Despite ranking fourth in team scoring, Wilson is going to his first All-Star Game despite a checkered past, which makes this one of the most curious selections in the event’s history.
NHL makes a curious selection with Columbus Blue Jackets’ captain Boone Jenner
On Dec. 9 the Columbus Blue Jackets lost their captain, Boone Jenner, who went on the IR for six weeks with a broken jaw. Then, on Thursday night, the NHL announced that he would represent the team at the 2024 NHL NHL All-Star Game. Considering this is his first nod for the annual event, he is the team’s seventh-leading scorer and hasn’t played in a month.
As mentioned, there is no offense to Jenner. Still, if the league attempts to grow the game, they missed the opportunity to let former second-overall pick Adam Fantelli attend his first All-Star Game as the Blue Jackets’ representative. Meanwhile, the league could have gone the safe route with Johnny Gaudreau, who leads the team in scoring and is a familiar face at the event, attending seven previous times.