The pass on participating in the game – which, to his credit, Ovechkin has skated in seven times, the second-most appearances by active NHLers – will see a punishment of a one-game suspension.
It’s a penalty players and their teams seem willing to take.
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has also declined the invite. Fleury will use the time off to rest and be with his family after losing his father in November.
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One can understand why two players who have combined for 12 all-star appearances and are on the wrong side of 30 would rather rest and recoup for the home stretch of the season.
Those factors don’t explain why Detroit’s Dylan Larkin – at 23 with only one all-star appearance (2016) – asked fans not to vote him into the game as he prefers the time off.
NHL stars opting out of the all-star game is a concern for the league.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the players selected for the game who opt out are neglecting to fulfill their obligation as players.
The all-star game does contribute to hockey-related revenues, which are important to the NHL, its owners and players, but is it time for the league to look at a different showcase for its stars? Or place the game at a different time in the schedule, not right before the playoff push?
As it’s the players selected as all-stars who carry the heavy workloads for their respective teams, no one – owners, coaches, teammates or fans – is going to fault a superstar for wanting to be at their best when it matters most.
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