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15 Biggest 2015 NHL All-Star Game Snubs

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15 Biggest Snubs From the 2015 NHL All-Star Game Roster

Joe Pavelski Sharks
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL All-Star teams were announced on Saturday ,and it’s not a stretch to say a lot of the selections came as surprises. The league has implemented a system in which every team must be represented by at least one player, leaving some more deserving players off the roster in lieu of others. Here are the 15 biggest snubs from the 2015 NHL All-Star game roster.

15. John Carlson

John Carlson
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

15. John Carlson

John Carlson
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 5 goals, 26 assists, +15

The 25-year-old Capitals defenseman is having by far the most productive season of his six-year NHL career. Carlson is averaging over 23 minutes of ice time for Washington and is arguably even more deserving of an All-Star nod than teammate Alexander Ovechkin.

14. Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

14. Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 14 goals, 16 assists, +2

The man with some of the sweetest hands in hockey’s history missed a few games with injury earlier this season and has only played 31 games as a result. Stunningly, Datsyuk is now 36 years old, but if this year is any indication, the Russian forward isn’t slowing down in the slightest.

13. Jaromir Jagr

Jaromir Jagr
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

13. Jaromir Jagr

Jaromir Jagr
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 9 goals, 16 assists, -10

Clearly, based on his stats alone, the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer has not had an All-Star worthy season. However, in the NHL’s system where every team must be represented in the game, most expected Jagr to be New Jersey’s representative. Instead, Patrik Elias and his 18 points and minus-15 rating got the nod.

12. Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist Stanley Cup Finals
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

12. Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist New York Rangers
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 20-8-3 record, 2.26 goals-against average, .918 save-percentage

On star power alone, I expected the Rangers goaltender to make the All-Star team. Lundqvist is one of the league’s more popular players, playing in one of the biggest hockey markets on one of the league’s best teams. For these reasons, in addition to his play on the ice in 2014-15, it’s puzzling “Hank” was not named an All-Star.

11. James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

11. James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 19 goals, 21 assists, -7

The former No. 2 overall pick of the Philadelphia Flyers had his breakout year last season and has improved on it in 2014-15. The young left winger is playing at just under a point-per-game pace and has been a force on the power play for the Maple Leafs with 16 points on the man advantage.

10. P.K. Subban

P.K. Subban
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

10. P.K. Subban

P.K. Subban
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 8 goals, 19 assists, +10

The Canadiens’ explosive defenseman is easily one of the most exciting players in the league. Considering the All-Star game is all about featuring the league’s most talented players and attracting fans who otherwise might not watch the sport, it’s a surprise to not see the 2013 Norris Trophy winner named an All-Star.

9. Nicklas Backstrom

Nicklas Backstrom
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

9. Nicklas Backstrom

Nicklas Backstrom
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 13 goals, 28 assists, +4

The Swedish forward is one of the best passers and playmakers in the NHL and might be the biggest snub of all. Backstrom is tied for 11th in points, and the Capitals’ top-line center quarterbacks one of the league’s most potent power play units.

8. Marc-Andre Fleury

Marc-Andre Fleury
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8. Marc-Andre Fleury

Marc-Andre Fleury
Getty Images

Stats: 21-7-4 record, 2.16 GAA, .926 save-percentage

After nearly losing his job on several occasions over the past few years, Fleury has been stellar so far in the 2014-15 season. His 2.16 goals-against average and .926 save-percentage are both career highs. As is always the case with Fleury and the Penguins, their performance in the postseason is all that anyone will remember in the end.

7. Nikita Kucherov

Nikita Kucherov
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7. Nikita Kucherov

Nikita Kucherov
Getty Images

Stats: 17 goals, 24 assists, +26

I have absolutely no idea how Kucherov did not make the All-Star team. For one, there’s that incredible stat line, including a league-best plus-26 rating. Secondly, the Tampa Bay right winger is just 21 years old, and All-Star weekend should be all about introducing the fans to the newest up and coming stars in the league.

6. Mark Streit

Mark Streit
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6. Mark Streit

Mark Streit
Getty Images

Stats: 4 goals, 24 assists, +1

The Flyers signed Streit to a four-year deal prior to the 2013-14 season to solidify their blue line, and the offensive-minded defenseman has certainly played the part. Known for his power play expertise, the 37-year-old has been consistently effective in his own zone this season.

5. Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

5. Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 18 goals, 15 assists, +22

The Canadiens forward made a name for himself in the 2014 Winter Olympics for Team USA and has kept on churning from there. His plus-22 rating on the season has already nearly tripled his previous career high. Pacioretty is a big reason why Montreal is battling for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

4. Cody Franson

Cody Franson Toronto Maple Leafs 2014-15
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

4. Cody Franson

Cody Franson Toronto Maple Leafs 2014-15
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 6 goals, 21 assists, +2

Toronto hasn’t been great this season, but Franson has really stabilized the back end of the Maple Leafs' defense. The massive 6-foot-5 defenseman is on pace to shatter his career high in goals (8) and points (33). Franson has also been one of the better defenseman on the power play with four goals and nine assists.

3. Roman Josi

Roman Josi
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

3. Roman Josi

Roman Josi
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 7 goals, 20 assists, +11

The Nashville Predators have the best record in the NHL, and Roman Josi is largely to thank for that. The 24-year-old defenseman averages the fifth-most ice-time of all players in the league at just less than 26 minutes.

2. T.J. Brodie

TJ Brodie Calgary Flames 2014-15
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

2. T.J. Brodie

TJ Brodie Calgary Flames 2014-15
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 8 goals, 20 assists, +18

While they have faded of late, the Flames are off to a surprising first half of the season. Their leader on the blue line, Brodie, is perhaps the biggest reason for the team’s resurgence in the standings in 2014-15. With a plus-18 rating and averaging over 25 minutes of ice time per game, it’s a pity Brodie won’t be on the ice in Columbus.

1. Joe Pavelski

Joe Pavelski
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1. Joe Pavelski

Joe Pavelski
Getty Images

Stats: 21 goals, 16 assists, +10

The Sharks’ most-likely candidate to be named the team’s next captain is on his way to a second straight 40-goal season. Pavelski’s 21 goals rank fifth in the league, and as one of the best Americans in hockey today, it ‘s a surprise to not see “The Big Pavelski” named to the All-Star team.

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