NHL 2022-23 All-Star Snubs
The next round of players has been voted in by the fans. Players that didn’t get the initial invite now get the thumbs up to head to Sunrise, Florida in early February. But other players who deserved a spot unfortunately will be home during that time.
Which players didn’t get the vote but deserved recognition?
Metropolitan Division
Ilya Sorokin, Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox got the fans’ approval, but who deserves justice?
Travis Konecny, Forward, Philadelphia Flyers
Konecny recently had 20 points over a 10-game stretch, including a hat trick. “TK” put the organization on his back and carried them into playoff range. He has already tied his most career goals in a season with 24 and will most likely beat his season high in points as he only needs 13 more to tie his best 61.
The Flyers have strongly struggled for a majority of the year, but with TK as the battery, the Flyers are seeing success.
Martin Necas, Forward, Carolina Hurricanes
Necas has exploded onto the scene this year, already tying his season-best 41 points. With that many points in 45 games, Necas deserves a lot of recognition. He’s a big reason for the Hurricanes’ success as he leads the entire team in points.
Even though he isn’t officially an all-star, he is one in the hearts of Hurricanes fans.
Atlantic Division
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Auston Matthews, and David Pastrnak got the nod from the voters.
Rasmus Dahlin, Defenseman, Buffalo Sabres
Ramus Dahlin has arrived and he has been very impressive. Adam Fox has 45 points in 45 games and got awarded a spot, but Dahlin has 50 points in 43 games and doesn’t? He has put the Sabres in a possible playoff position.
Dahlin is showing off why he was the first overall pick back in 2018. His numbers this year will certainly blow by his season best 53 points from last season.
Pacific Division
Leon Draisaitl, Stuart Skinner and Bo Horvat are going to be representing the Pacific.
Trevor Zegras, Forward, Anaheim Ducks
Mr. Lacrosse, the cover boy of NHL 23 awes us with the moves he pulls off almost every game. His teammate, Troy Terry is the representative for the Ducks, but Zegras is having another great year.
Zegras has 37 points in 46 games on a struggling Ducks team, but he is definitely a bright spot for the rebuild in Anaheim.
Central Division
Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Connor Hellebuyck were added to the central’s roster.
Kyle Connor, Forward, Winnipeg Jets
If you were to describe Kyle Connor in one word, it would probably be “underrated,” and missing out on the All-Star Game with the season he’s having backs the idea up. A great goal scorer with 55 points on the year deserves to be in the All-Star Game.
Connor is an annual 30-40 goal scorer, and that consistency needs to be appreciated.
Jake Oettinger, Goaltender, Dallas Stars
You see Jake Oettinger in the net, I see a brick wall. The 24-year-old is 20-7-4 with a 2.26 GAA and a .924 save percentage. Dallas didn’t have a real answer in net when Ben Bishop went down, but now with Oettinger, the Stars will have their guy for possibly the next decade.
“Otter” is top five in every goalie stat category and should be heavily considered for a Vezina Trophy.
Anthony Desher is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acd5698@psu.edu.
