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The annual NHL All-Star weekend is coming up at the end of this month, and Montreal Canadiens‘ Carey Price is the only player representing the team. This means that previous attendee P.K. Subban has been left out of the mix and that is a massive snub.
Subban was chosen in 2011 (there was no All-Star Game the following year due to the lockout, and none last year due to the Winter Olympics) and he certainly made his mark. It was a year after he had burst onto the scene as a rookie Habs defenseman, and he had already begun to make a difference on the team.
At the 2011 All-Star game, there was much talk about this player whose delightful sense of fun and dynamic personality were getting him noticed all through the league. In the skills competition breakaway challenge, he emerged on the ice for his turn, wearing fellow rookie, and Carolina Hurricanes‘ Jeff Skinner‘s jersey. The crowd in Raleigh positively ate it up, and he scored big points with his antics (even if Alex Ovechkin won the event).
Subban was the talk of many after that weekend, and though it would be three more years until the All-Star weekend returned, most had no doubt he would make the roster. After all, in 2011, he was only invited to the skills competitions, not to play the main game. Being such a star in the league, he would have to be invited to the next one, if only to get in the game at last.
When the team was announced a few days ago without his name on it, the snub spoke louder than the roster. Why was Subban left out?
While I don’t have the answer to that, I do have some points I’d like to make.
First, Subban would have elevated the weekend beyond what it will already be; his level of play has certainly increased since that 2011 weekend, and his off-ice presence has made him a favorite of even non-Habs fans. He adds a tremendous amount of energy anywhere he is, whether it’s a game or a game show, an interview or a simple post-game quote. I know I’m not alone in having anticipated seeing him in the skills competition — much of the weekend’s fun. I know we would have seen the capricious side of Subban unleashed in a weekend of fun and games. And Habs fans aren’t the only losers; anyone who has never seen that up-close side of Subban will be missing out on what would have been great fun.
Secondly, there are so many players who made the roster over their more-skilled counterparts. Such examples include Florida Panthers‘ Roberto Luongo over New York Rangers‘ Henrik Lundqvist, Toronto Maple Leafs‘ Phil Kessel, a repeat appearance, instead of a newcomer such as Canadiens’ Alex Galchenyuk and Rangers’ Ryan McDonagh over Detroit Red Wings‘ Pavel Datsyuk. Clearly there is a process that is carried out behind the scenes of the selection committee, but there are many who are scratching their heads over the roster. Glancing down the list of players, it contains the names of many NHL stars. Subban, an undisputed star, should definitely have been on that list.
Subban has been the highlight of many stories; his multi-million-dollar contract broke records and gave us the opportunity to see his more humble side. He has been shown to be a player who embraces individuality off the ice even as he is deeply devoted to his team. His exuberance sets him apart from so many hockey players, and he’s been criticized for it. His celebrations are never unnoticed — many times negatively — despite not being the only flamboyant ones in the NHL. He is considered high risk but also high reward, and many who criticize him secretly wish he was on their favorite team.
Granted, the All-Star game is all play and bragging rights with the serious side of hockey left behind for two days. And no doubt, it will be fun, it always is; but it will be decidedly less fun than had Subban been a participant.
Lissa Albert is a Montreal Canadiens writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @LissaRantSports. “Like” her on and/or add her to your network on Google.
