The NHL All-Star Game Weekend is upon us! It is the time of the year when the league takes a hiatus, and the most popular players descend into an NHL city for the annual classic known as the NHL All-Star Game. While it is now mandatory that each team be represented by at least one player, it is a surefire guarantee that the fan base of each team will believe someone off their roster was snubbed, and the Carolina Hurricanes are no different.
In 2016 the NHL decided they would make the All-Star Game a 3-on-3 tournament between each division. This promised exciting hockey for fans, and a million dollar prize for the winning team. With the format change came a roster downsizing, and spots on each team became a little more scarce. Here is where it gets complicated for Carolina Hurricanes fans, and I will begin with a disclaimer:
I love Jaccob Slavin, I understand the value he brings to the team, and I see him getting his due for how good he is very soon. However, JACCOB SLAVIN WAS NOT SNUBBED FROM THE ALL STAR TEAM.
Slavin was a victim of circumstance, as the Metropolitan Division is loaded with great defenseman on far better and more popular teams. When you are competing against the likes of Seth Jones, Kris Letang and John Carlson for a spot on the roster, the least popular player will be left out. Remember the selection process is not based on skill – it’s a popularity contest. Couple that with the fact that fans tend to focus on the offensive numbers of their Defenseman on their All-Star teams, Jaccob Slavin was certain to be the odd man out. Even as much as we all would like to disagree. The numbers when compared do not favor him.
The same can and should be said about Teuvo Teravainen, who was the team’s representative for the Last Man In vote. Teravainen has had a solid season registering 43 points in 50 GP, including two four point outings against the Bruins and Capitals. Those are numbers that should truly warrant All-Star Game consideration. Yet, with the one player per team rule, coupled with the small-but-loyal fan base of the Carolina Hurricanes in comparison with other fan bases within the Metro division, circumstance dictated that “Turbo” was going to be left out in the cold.
However on a more positive note, when the season resumes the team will have their best winger and defenseman well-rested and ready to make a playoff run. That will hopefully help the team perform better than they have done in previous games coming off a long rest.
The All-Star Game is what it is – a popularity contest – and until the Carolina Hurricanes become a serious contender fans will have to settle for the traditional one player they are accustomed to sending to the game. However, Canes fans should not take the selections to heart, and instead should simply enjoy the festivities, root for Sebastian Aho to make us proud, and be ready for the late season push in hopes of ending the franchise’s abysmal playoff drought.