Da Windy City
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Chicago Blackhawks have numerous All Star Game snubs

By Tim Stebbins

Dec 22, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) stops a shot by Dallas Stars right wing Valeri Nichushkin (not pictured) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) stops a shot by Dallas Stars right wing Valeri Nichushkin (not pictured) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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In every professional sports league, there are players who should be named all stars but are not. Just like many teams in the past, this season’s Chicago Blackhawks have numerous snubs on their roster.

The NHL has been experimenting with its All Star Game for several years now, hoping to liven up an event that has no meaning year in and year out. In 2011, 2012 and 2015, the league shied away from the typical Eastern Conference versus Western Conference matchup, instead naming two captains for a fantasy draft.

This season, the league introduced another new format, deciding to make the game a 3-on-3 tournament between the four divisions, with at least one player representing each team. Because of this, many worthy players were left out of the game, including the Chicago Blackhawks’ All Stars of the past Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford.

Even though Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane were voted onto the Central Division team’s roster, Keith, Seabrook, Crawford and even Artemi Panarin deserve a spot in the game. In fact, one might make a case for these four Chicago Blackhawks to make the game over many players who will be playing in the game.

Keith and Seabrook are two of the NHL’s top players, not just amongst defenseman. Instead of the two Chicago Blackhawks players, the Central Division roster’s defenseman will be Shea Weber and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators and Dustin Byfuglien of the Winnipeg Jets.

All three players are worthy candidates, but the point is that more worthy players like Keith and Seabrook would be obvious selections in a typical East versus West matchup. After all, Keith was an All Star in 2008, 2011 and 2015 while Seabrook played in the game last season.

At the same time, the argument against Keith could be made due to the fact that he missed a month of action due to knee surgery early in the season. Yet Keith’s injury only heightens Seabrook’s case for election, as he more than stepped up his play and leadership on the ice during Keith’s absence.

In Panarin’s case, his omission may have to do with the fact that he was an unknown rookie coming into this season. Panarin was signed by the Blackhawks last April, not receiving the same hoopla like fellow rookies and top draft picks Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres.

Yet even though Panarin did not receive attention like McDavid and Eichel, he has more than outplayed the two thus far this season. McDavid broke his clavicle in early November, an injury that has kept him out ever since. On the other hand, Eichel has 26 points (13 goals) in 41 games. In 43 games this season, Panarin has 38 points (15 goals), leading all rookies in goals, assists and points.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook
May 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) celebrates with defenseman Duncan Keith (2) his goal scored against the Anaheim Ducks in game seven of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

While it is true that Keith, Seabrook and Panarin all have a case to play in the game, none of them are more of a snub than Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford.

Pekka Rinne of the Predators and Devan Dubnyk of the Minnesota Wild were selected as the Central Division’s goalies for the game. Both are great goalies, but the simple fact here is that Crawford has outplayed both of them all season long. Crawford has more wins, less losses, less goals against, a better goals against average, a better save percentage and more shutouts. In fact, Crawford leads the entire NHL with six shutouts this season.

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With that being said, why was Crawford not chosen over Rinne and Dubnyk? Essentially, Dubnyk was the most worthy player on the Wild’s roster and was chosen because each team needs at least one player in the game. This is not true for Rinne however, as the Predators have two defenseman in the game.

Does Crawford not have the respect of those in and around the NHL? The guy has won two Stanley Cups as his team’s starting goaltender in his career, including last season when he came back from a benching to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a championship. How is he not an All Star?

Next: Back to Back Two-Goal Nights for Artemi Panarin

In the end, Crawford is a snub, but he will be able to enjoy several days off during the All Star break. And furthermore, he will avoid playing in a game that has ended with scores of 12-11, 11-10, 12-9 and 17-12 the last four times out, clearly not an enjoyable experience for goalies. Take that, NHL!

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