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2019 NHL All-Star Game: Top 5 biggest snubs

By Dave Stevenson

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 22: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs stretches during the warm-up prior to action against the New York Rangers in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 22, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Rangers 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 22: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs stretches during the warm-up prior to action against the New York Rangers in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 22, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Rangers 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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2019 nhl all-star game
Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images /

Now that the 2019 NHL All-Star Game rosters have been revealed, let’s take a look at the five most puzzling and baffling snubs.

In case you missed it, the 2019 NHL All-Star Game rosters have been released by the league. With any popularity contest, there are bound to be some people who are left out. Each division only being allowed to have nine skaters and two goalies creates even more potential snubs.

The NHL got it right, for the most part. Most of the biggest stars are going to be at the All-Star Game. However, there were some glaring omissions from both the roster and even the Final Vote candidates. We won’t include the latter in this article, but here’s a look at some players who should feel snubbed.

Goaltender. new york islanders. Robin Lehner. 5. player. 106.

The New York Islanders have taken the league by surprise. Many people, myself included, had them finishing closer to the bottom of the standings than a playoff spot. However, the Islanders enter Jan. 3, 2019 merely one point out of a postseason spot with games in hand. Goaltender Robin Lehner has been a huge reason for this.

His case: There’s more to evaluating goalies than save percentage and goals against average. However, Lehner’s the NHL leader in each category (minimum 15 games played). According to Corsica, he has the sixth best goals saved above average rate during all situations. Lehner’s been a significant reason for the Islanders success.

As far as intangibles, it’s hard not to root for the guy given his story. Lehner has overcome some significant obstacles, including drug addiction. He should be applauded for it, as well as his willingness to be open about such a sensitive subject. Lehner has inspired many, much like Brian Boyle did last year.

Why he didn’t get in: Each division was only allowed two goaltenders. Henrik Lundqvist is the New York Rangers‘ lone representative. He’s their best player by a wide margin. The second spot came down to Braden Holtby or Lehner.

Ultimately, I think the former got the spot because of his larger and more impressive resume. Meanwhile, this is Lehner’s first truly great season. The difference between Holtby and Lehner is closer than you think if you look at Corsica’s GSAA.

It’s rough seeing him off the roster. That said, at least this snub is justifiable. Also, had Lehner been included and Holtby been excluded, that likely leaves no spot on the roster for Mathew Barzal. Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom likely would have taken Barzal’s spot at forward.

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