The NHL unveiled the full All-Star rosters for this year's revamped format, and there are several big names missing.
The new rules will see four teams constructed from each division play in a 3-on-3 mini tournament. The Atlantic Division All-Stars will take on those from the Metropolitan, while the Central and Pacific players will also go head-to-head. The winners of each contest will meet with the victor earning $1 million.
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The new format means that only 11 players from each division can be voted in -- with each team needing to have at least one representative -- leading to a lot of snubs. The rosters are comprised of five forwards, three defenseman and two goaltenders.
Here are the biggest snubs from each division for the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.
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Atlantic
Two of the biggest snubs come from the Senators, in forwards Mike Hoffman and Bobby Ryan. Hoffman leads the entire Atlantic Division in goals (19), while Ryan is third in assists (23) and points (36). Exciting rookie Jack Eichel from the Sabres is also another glaring omission. Eichel is second among all NHL rookies with 13 goals and 26 points.
Central
The NHL's best division of course has the most omissions. The Stars will deservedly send Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin to the All-Star Game, but John Klingberg deserved some consideration. Klingberg is second among defenseman with 38 points this season. Two Blackhawks who were snubbed include Artemi Panarin (36 points) and goaltender Corey Crawford. Blake Wheeler (10-30--40) from the Jets and Ryan Suter (second in NHL with 28:16 time on ice) of the Wild also deserve the nod.
Metropolitan
Sidney Crosby has had a down year with only 12 goals, but in the 3-on-3 format in a game the league is trying to market as very important, it's hard to leave out the face of the franchise. He also has turned it on recently, going 5-2--7 in his last five games. Exciting young player Evgeny Kuznetsov is also a huge exclusion, as he leads the entire division in assists (24, tied) and points (37). Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello (16-15--31) also deserves consideration, especially after overcoming a brain injury.
Pacific
With this being the weakest division in the league, only the Kings need to feel slighted, though they will send Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick to the game. Anze Kopitar (10-20--30) and Tyler Toffoli, who has an NHL-best plus-22 rating and is tied for fifth in the league with 19 goals, both deserved some consideration.
The full All-Star rosters for each team can be viewed by clicking here.
