John Carlson did not make the All-Star game? Was it a snub?
The Washington Capitals will be well represented at the NHL All-Star Game with two players, the head coach and members of the team’s equipment staff. Goalie Braden Holtby and Forward Alex Ovechkin, along with Barry Trotz are headed to Tampa for the three on three All-Star tournament.
One name missing, and honestly is noticeably missing is defenseman John Carlson. Carlson has scored 34 points in 43 games this season and plays an average of 26:17 per game for a team that currently sits in first place of the Metropolitan Division. How is that not impressive enough to make a spot on the Metro All-Star team? Instead defenseman like Kris Letang, Seth Jones and Noah Hanifin were put on the roster, and not Carlson. Of all the defensemen selected for the All-Star Game, only one player, John Klingberg from the Stars, has more points than Carlson. Only two players selected, Drew Doughty and Erik Karlsson, average more ice time per game.
Yeah I understand each team from the division needs to be represented. However the answer to this is to select another forward from a team and replace Carlson for the defenseman instead. How do you have Kris Letang as a defenseman when he only has three goals and twenty four assists for the Penguins, plus they already have Sidney Crosby? Tampa Bay has four players representing them, and honestly it is because the NHL All-Star game is in Tampa Florida. You could have taken Brett Skinner of the Hurricanes, and taken Josh Bailey from the Islanders off the roster to make room for Carlson.
The Positive thing about John Carlson not making the NHL All-Star game is the fact that now Carly will get a little much needed rest for the stretch run. This week is the Capitals Bye week after playing a home and home series against the Carolina Hurricane. Then in a few weeks more rest comes from the All-Star break. Carlson should be more then healthy enough to make a good run at the playoffs for the Washington Capitals!
