Friday, January 23, 2009

The 57th NHL All Star Game


This years mid winter classic if that's what you want it to be called will be played in Montreal all part of the Canadiens 100th Anniversary and there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the game this year to began the issue of ballet stuffing on the Eastern Conference side having 4 Habs in the starting lineup to me the lineup is just an honor your out there for 45 seconds to a minute and the 2nd line comes on and it's not set in stone that the lines might be broken up and same with the goalies 20 minutes and you give way to the next goalie.
Everything is good.......... Not, what really makes me angry is the snubs for the reserves in both conferences below is a list of my top 5 players snubbed


Eastern Conference snubs
5. D Dennis Wideman, Boston Bruins, GP:46-G:9-A:22-Pts:31
I'm sure i'm not the only one who thinks the Plus/Minus should be stricken from the NHL Stat book but Widemen's is an amazing +26 he is ahead of Zdeno Chara in Points and can also be thanked for the recent resurgence of the Bruins.
4. LW Simon Gagne, Philadelphia Flyers, GP:43-G:19-A:26-Pts:45
This guy dealt with injuries through out most of the last season, came back this year is on pace for a career year and has the Flyers in a perfect spot to challenge in the much improved East.
3. C Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers, GP:46-G:16-A:30-Pts:46
Mike should be in Montreal this weekend with his teammate Jeff Carter, captain of in my mind the best team in the Eastern Conference on pace for 82 points and probably a bet to be on team canada come in Vancouver in a little more than a year.
2. C David Krejci, Boston Bruins, GP:46-G:17-A:35-Pts:52
This guy was in the AHL most of last season he was told to bring his work effort to NHL Standards came back in the fall and he exceeded is expectations on pace for a 90 Point season and is quickly becoming the next big NHL star.
1. LW Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils, GP:47-G:20-A:34-Pts:54
Top 10 in scoring, came back after a bout with Hepatitis A , and is leading a Devils team who was thought to be dead in the water after future hall of famer Martin Brodeur went down with an injury the Devils are another team that shouldn't be overlooked in the East.

Western Conference Snubs
5. D Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames, GP:46-G:4-A:26-Pts:30
Not a Dion type year but the guy is trying to work more on his Defensive part of his game and is on pace for a solid season even if the goals are lacking.
4. LW Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, GP:48-G:22-A:26-Pts:48
Playing a consistent brand of hockey surely deserves this twin a nod in the game over Dustin Brown?
3. G Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks, GP:34-W:25-GAA:4.92-SV%:0.907
Nabby should have won the Vezina last year, even though he doesn't start every game but the guy is literally a wall and has the Sharks being the front runner for Lord Stanley.
2. G Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames, GP:43-W:28-GAA:2.82-SV%:0.903
On pace to set the single season wins record, playing a lot more consistant then past season have the Flames thinking We Want the Cup again so freaking what if he plays every game it takes talent to play goalie in the NHL and the only thing that matters in the end is winning.
1. RW Marian Hossa, Detroit Red Wings, GP:46-G:22-A:24-Pts:46
Now that Lidstrom and Datsyuk won't be in the Game makes it more logical to have at least one player from the defending Cup champions on the roster well Hossa is having great season so far not his best but still worthy of an All Star berth.


Tomorrow I will have my All Star Game predictions

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