NHL 2017 All-Stars for Central, Pacific: Toews, Smith are shockers

The National Hockey League announced its 2017 All-Star teams on Tuesday for the weekend celebration in Los Angeles, keeping the four-division format from last season’s game but, sadly, with 100-percent less John Scott.

You can see the All-Star teams for the Atlantic and Metro Divisions here. Now, let’s take a look at the Western Conference divisions:

Central Division

F Patrick Kane (CHI)

F Patrik Laine (WPG)

F Nathan MacKinnon (COL)

F Tyler Seguin (DAL)

F Vladimir Tarasenko (STL)

F Jonathan Toews (CHI)

D Duncan Keith (CHI)

D P.K. Subban (NSH)*

D Ryan Suter (MIN)

G Corey Crawford (CHI)

G Devan Dubnyk (MIN)

The goaltenders and defensemen here are no surprises. Obviously you want P.K. Subban at your All-Star party, so it’s nice that the fans voted him in and the NHL requires one representative from each team, because based on merit he might have slipped behind either Alex Pietrangelo or Kevin Shattenkirk of the St. Louis Blues. (And if he can’t go, does this become Roman Josi?)

Speaking of merit: Jonathan Toews is having his worst season statistically in his career, and there’s no logical reason he should be an All-Star … well, except for the fact that he’s a marketable player who sells jerseys and potentially among the Top 100 players of all-time that will be revealed at the All-Star Weekend, which would necessitate his attendance at the Friday night party. Hmmmm…

If Laine can’t go due to concussion, expect Mark Scheifele to take his place.

Meanwhile, in the other division…

Pacific Division

F Jeff Carter (LAK)

F Johnny Gaudreau (CGY)

F Bo Horvat (VAN)

F Ryan Kesler (ANA)

F Connor McDavid (EDM)*

F Joe Pavelski (SJS)

D Brent Burns (SJS)

D Drew Doughty (LAK)

D Cam Fowler (ANA)

G Martin Jones (SJS)

G Mike Smith (ARI)

Mike Smith is obviously the surprise here, with a .918 save percentage in 24 games. Which isn’t bad by Mike Smith standards, but is lower than that of Cam Talbot, who has played 37 games and is the only reason not named Connor that the Edmonton Oilers are in a playoff spot.

But again, that’s pretending the NHL All-Star Game has anything to do with merit anymore and not simply ticking boxes to fill the need to stars, team reps and local favorites. (Oh hi Cam Fowler.)

That said, it’s amazing the NHL didn’t find a way to get Anze Kopitar – who is featured in their All-Star Game commercials and plays for the host city – in this event. Unless he politely declined.

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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