NHL All-Star rosters finalized after 12 players voted in by fans
Leon Draisaitl #29 and Auston Matthews #34 are both heading to the NHL All-Star Game. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Fans voted Thursday for the final 12 2023 NHL All-Star Game selections, adding big names such as Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews and David Pastrnak to the 32 players previously chosen.
Hockey fans voted for three additional players – two skaters, one goaltender – for each division (Atlantic, Central, Metropolitan and Pacific). Of course, this gives hockey fans the precious opportunity to complain endlessly about the snubs.
Here are the full 2023 NHL All-Star Game rosters, with some info on the newly added players by division. The match itself is scheduled for Feb. 4 in Sunrise, Fla., with the skills competition taking place the night before.
2023 NHL All-Star Game: Atlantic Division roster
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs: After generating a ridiculous 60 goals last season, Matthews is on pace for less material in 2022-23 (22 goals, 49 points in 43 games). Nevertheless, there remains a two-way force and the Maple Leafs continue to pass the tests – at least during the regular season.
David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins: First an All-Star Game appearance, then the Bruins’ hopeful run as Stanley Cup favorites, then an absolutely gigantic contract? Life looks pretty good for Pastrnak.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning: At any time, people can name a goaltender who is having a better season. Still, would anyone blame a fan if they still believe Vasilevskiy is actually the best? With a .918 save percentage this season, it’s not just a nod to his name recognition.
Full list (All-Star Game appearances in parentheses):
F Nikita Kucherov, TBL (4th)
F Dylan Larkin, DET (3rd)
F Mitchell Marner, TOR (2nd)
F Auston Matthews, TOR (5th)
To David Pastrnak, BOS (3rd)
To Nick Suzuki, MTL (2nd)
F Tage Thompson, BUF (1st)
A Brady Tkachuk, OTT (3rd)
F Matthew Tkachuk, FLA (2nd)
G Andrei Vasilevskiy, TBL (4th)
G Linus Ullmark, BOS (1st)
Coach: Jim Montgomery, Boston Bruins.
2023 NHL All-Star Game: Central Division roster
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche: Two dominant Avalanche forwards — who were fundamentally inseparable to start Rantanen’s career — received the necessary fan votes. Impressively, MacKinnon was able to score 49 points despite being limited to 32 games played. The Avalanche’s crippling injuries forced Rantanen to carry a heavy burden, and he responded with 56 points in 43 games.
The story continues
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets: Year after year, Winnipeg’s fortunes go up and down. Most modern NHL goaltenders also experience often drastic ups and downs. Hellebuyck is on the short list of goalkeepers who are consistently dominant, and he often gets less help than someone like Vasilevskiy.
Full list (All-Star Game appearances in parentheses):
F Kirill Kaprizov, MIN (2nd)
F Clayton Keller, ARI (3rd)
To Nathan MacKinnon, COL (5th)
F Mikko Rantanen, COL (2nd)
F Jason Robertson, DAL (1st)
To Vladimir Tarasenko, STL (4th)
Dr. Seth Jones, CHI (4th)
D Cale Makar, COL (2nd)
Dr Josh Morrissey, WPG (1st)
G Connor Hellebuyck, WPG (3rd)
G Juuse Saros, NSH (2nd)
Coach: Peter DeBoer, Dallas Stars.
2023 NHL All-Star Game: Metropolitan Division Roster
Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers: From Cale Makar to Erik Karlsson, other defensemen continue to steal Fox’s headlines, but he’s doing just fine. The 24-year-old already has a Norris Trophy on his CV and is scoring a point per game while being solid on his side. It says a lot about Fox’s season that his 45 points only slightly exceed those of Panarin (47), who also won the fan votes.
Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders: Another Rangers star Igor Shesterkin was already on the team. As big as Shesterkin is, he could very well face annual debates thanks to the Islanders’ rising star goaltender. Whether it’s the best goalie in the metro, the best goalie in the tri-state area, or even the best goalie in the world, Shesterkin vs. Sorokin could spark years of debate. Meanwhile, shooters will just mumble about how hard it is to score against either.
Full list (All-Star Game appearances in parentheses):
To Sidney Crosby, PIT (5th)
To Johnny Gaudreau, CBJ (7th)
F Kevin Hayes, PHI (1st)
F Jack Hughes, NJD (2nd)
F Brock Nelson, NYI (1st)
F Alex Ovechkin, WSH (8th)
F Artemi Panarin, NYR (1st)
F Andrei Svechnikov, RCA (1st)
D Adam Fox, NYR (1st)
G Igor Shesterkin, NYR (1st)
G Ilya Sorokin, NYI (1st)
Coach: Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina Hurricanes
2023 NHL All-Star Game: Pacific Division Roster
Leon Draisaitl and Stuart Skinner, Oilers: Thanks to fan votes, top scorers such as Matthews, Pastrnak and Draisaitl remain in the mix. It’s truly a testament to Draisaitl that he’s clearly proven he’s not just Robin to Connor McDavid’s Batman. His inclusion in an All-Star Game seems fair.
However, few expected Skinner to make the cut. After all, Skinner isn’t even the Oilers’ big-money guard, as he saved the day amid the struggles of $5 million player Jack Campbell. Although his record isn’t stunning (12-10-2), Skinner has been a stabilizing force, managing a .914 save percentage behind a suspect defense at best.
Bo Horvat, Canucks: Why not give one of the top targets at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline the chance to put on a show when all the potential buyers are watching? With 30 goals, Horvat is already approaching his career high (31) in what should be a lucrative contract year.
Full list (All-Star Game appearances in parentheses):
F Matty Béniers, SEA (1st)
F Léon Draisaitl, EDM (4th)
To Kevin Fiala, LAK (1st)
F Bo Horvat, VAN (2nd)
F Nazem Kadri, CGY (2nd)
F Connor McDavid, EDM (6th)
To Elias Pettersson, VAN (3rd)
F Troy Terry, ANA (2nd)
D Erik Karlsson, SJS (7th)
G Stuart Skinner, electrical engineering (1st)
G Logan Thompson, VGK (1st)
Coach: Bruce Cassidy, Vegas Golden Knights.
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