The NHL All-Star Game votes have been tallied, and I am happier this year than I was with them last year. For starters, they just didn't choose guys that were probably going to go anyways because they were all-stars, the chose the home town players who may not be having a good season but they knew it would be special for them.
The players that were selected were Boston goaltender Tim Thomas, Maple Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf, and then Four Ottawa Senators in defenceman Erik Karlsson, and all three forwards with Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and Milan Michalek who had a great surge to get pushed past Leafs forward Phil Kessel in the last week.
The only one I wish that was different was the goalie as Thomas would probably be selected to go in any case as he is having a great season and I personally like to have seen a guy like James Reimer or Antti Niemi who has solid numbers butdoesn't get the exposure to get the votes.
The only guys i can say for sure that will be going to the All-Star Game that didn't get voted in are the Sedin twins, Giroux, Stamkos, Kessel and Toews.
Now onto something I touched on in my last blog with Krys Barch and his racial slur towards PK Subban. Barch admitted to saying it but he says it was in a joke, if you are going to tell a joke to the opposing team like that, make sure he is the only one who hears it, not so a linesman can hear you. Basically his one game suspension is for being an idiot.
If you have yet to hear Brian Burke's latest remarks, he had a press conference interview about placing tough guy Colton Orr on waivers. He said he had to do this move because of the way things are heading in the NHL and he is not a fan of it with players who are rats not having to stand up for themselves and not being willing to fight. For what was said in the sound clip showed on TSN, I would say I agree with everything that the GM said as I think the way the NHL is going with some of the stuff is wrong.
Also, you would have to wonder if guys like Brian Burke and Don Cherry ran the league, how much better off the play on the ice would be because you actually know where everything stands and you wouldn't have the "rats" doing what they are doing. (Sidenote: If I can find the rant or press conference so that I can post it to this blog)
Now onto some other stuff that has come up. It looked like Oilers super rookie, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was going to run away with the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year but is now injured. Even though there are some that are some what close to him in points, the only one I think that can mount a reasonable challenge to him for it is Canucks forward Cody Hodgson. Yes, there are other players that are making an impact as rookies like Adam Henrique but those guys are getting much more ice time than Hodgson and Hodgson also plays on a third line and is currently 5th in points. However, if RNH comes back and dominates, he will probably run away with the votes.
Anaheim Ducks GM, Bob Murray, has made a bit of noise by saying the only untouchables on his team are currently Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne. Personally, I just think this is a way to try and spark the underachieving stars of this team in the Ducks big line of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, and Bobby Ryan. If it is meant to say, "Hey, if you gives us a good enough offer, you can actually have one of these guys.", then he is going to have some busy phone lines. If they are to trade any of those three, I would have to parrot what lots of the "experts" are saying in that if one does move it will be Bobby Ryan.
The last thing I would like to speak on is Lars Eller spectacular 4 goal game. The only goal he scored that wasn't highlight worthy. That has to be one of the best games I have seen in recent history and hopefully there is a lot more ahead for him.
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
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