-
ESPN staff
The initial 32 players for the 2023 NHL All-Star game were announced Thursday. One player per team was selected, with the remaining 12 players coming later via fan voting. There’s no shortage of star power, but a number of talented players are notable for their absence from the lists.
We gathered our panel of writers to break down the biggest snubs, the players whom they are most excited to see, and the players who didn’t make the cut this season but could make the team in 2024.
Who is the biggest snub from the initial list of 32 players?
Ryan S. Clark: Rasmus Dahlin. That has more to do with the format because there’s no denying Tage Thompson is definitely an All-Star. Dahlin is top three among defensemen in goals, points, points per game and ice time while being fifth in assists. He’s projected to finish with 89 points in a season that — to this point — should merit Norris consideration and an ASG appearance.
Arda Ocal: Leon Draisaitl. But really, if we are only selecting one player per team for this round, obviously on the Oilers it’s going to be Connor McDavid. But if somehow, some way Draisaitl doesn’t get selected to go at all, because he absolutely does deserve it, it would be a disappointment.
Kristen Shilton: David Pastrnak. He’s been the epitome of an All-Star this season. Pastrnak is not only one of the best, most productive forwards in the league, he kept Boston on track early without Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. The guy can play up and down the lineup, he’s flashy, fun and uber-talented. The ASG would be lucky to have all that.
Greg Wyshynski: Ilya Sorokin. There’s a Russian goalie who plays in New York City going to the NHL All-Star Game … just not the right one. Sorokin has outplayed Igor Shesterkin this season, as the New York Islanders goalie has a .926 save percentage and leads the NHL with 26.2 goals saved above average and 4.4 wins above replacement. Shesterkin is the bigger star. Sorokin’s been the better goalie, at least in 2022-23.
Who are you most excited to see in the skills contest?
Clark: Jason Robertson. You look at his goals this season. So much of what he does looks effortless because his wrists just appear to move that quickly. It’d be interesting to see how Robertson would perform in the accuracy contest for that reason. Plus, it would be more visibility for players like him and Tage Thompson as two of the league’s rising stars.
Ocal: Trevor Zegras. “But wait, he wasn’t selected in the initial round and may not be at all” you might be saying. My point here is that I hope, like last year, Zegras gets invited whether he ends up making the All-Star game or not. In fact, I hope a bunch of NHL players get invited to participate in certain contests. I hope the breakaway contest becomes just like the NBA dunk contest, because last year’s edition was a ton of fun. But if I have to pick a player that’s already in, then it’s “Center Stage” Thompson, because he’s an absolute joy to watch.
Shilton: Cale Makar. We always talk about the dynamic forwards showing off in the skills comp, but what about the awe-inspiring offensive defensemen?! Makar makes it all look easy on the ice. He could have so much fun on a big stage like the ASG, and I’d love to see him engage and surprise with a few tricks up his sleeve.
Wyshynski: First off, I’m hoping the fan vote fills in some of the skills competition blanks. Based on this roster, Alex Ovechkin might be the only guy to break 100 MPH in Hardest Shot. But the player I’m most looking forward to seeing is Jack Hughes. The New Jersey Devils star embraced his first All-Star Game last season by donning a cape and doing a magic trick at center ice. As the kids say, he understands the assignment.
Name one player who didn’t make the All-Star Game this season who will be on a roster next season?
Clark: Connor Bedard. What we have seen him do with the Regina Pats and with Canada at the World Juniors reinforces why he is expected to be the No. 1 pick. And while the team with the No. 1 pick is yet to be determined, it’s possible Bedard could make the sort of difference that leads to him making the All-Star Game as a rookie.
Shilton: Cole Caufield. He’s already a 20-plus goal scorer this season and could easily have been on the initial 32-man roster for this ASG. If not this year, then Caulfield should be a shoo-in for 2024. The way he’s flourished under Martin St. Louis is nothing short of extraordinary and Caulfield has a long, bright future ahead of him giving goaltenders fits (and making All-Star Game appearances).
Wyshynski: Tim Stützle. The Ottawa Senators forward isn’t exactly P.K. Subban in the personality department, but that’s the magic of the NHL All-Star Game: It allows a players’ skills set to do the talking for him. His third season has continued his steady ascent as a player; he could be ready for the spotlight in Year 4.