Something I’ve never really understood is caring about whether a guy on your team gets to be in the NHL All-Star Game. Like, what's the difference to you, a New York Rangers, Nashville Predators or Calgary Flames fan?

Are you really just absolutely dying to see your third-best player compete in a 3-on-3 exhibition in the middle of a Saturday afternoon? I obviously agree that the best candidate from this year’s Montreal Canadiens or Arizona Coyotes shouldn't get the call just because they don't deserve it. Not really. 

But I also understand why the league would want at least one representative per team. To the extent that it would dramatically boost ratings? Well, no, because there are no Coyotes fans to the extent of statistical significance, and Canadiens fans are probably just as happy to not be reminded that there's even an NHL season going on.

But come on, everyone is mad that the Rangers only have three All-Stars and Igor Shestyorkin isn't one of them? I just absolutely can't imagine having that much of an investment in this sort of thing.

Look on the bright side: Not having that guy go to Las Vegas this year slightly reduces his chances of getting Omicron at the pool or playing injury or real roulette. If anything, the league is doing you a favor. Take it and run before they change their mind.

Let’s go: