In an interesting development Friday evening, the NHL Public Relations Twitter account announced that Marc-Andre Fleury would be replaced in the All-Star Game by Jacob Markstrom of the Vancouver Canucks.
NHLAllStar Update: @Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom will replace @GoldenKnights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury at the 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game.
Alexander Overchkin, the Metropolitan Division's elected captain, declined his invite to the game and received a one-game suspension. Fleury is sure to receive a similar fate. Regardless, his decision is backed and was possibly made, by the Golden Knights' brass. Malcolm Subban would receive the game time surrendered by Fleury.
@PR_NHL @Canucks While being named to the NHL All-Star Game is a tremendous honor, the Golden Knights and Marc-Andre Fleury have decided that Marc-Andre will pass on the invitation this year.
Fleury has played in 827 regular season games in his 16-year career. This season, aside from a bereavement leave, Fleury has seen activity consistent with a clear-cut starting goaltender. He's suited up in 29 games this season, including starting the last four games for the Golden Knights.
Fleury represented the Golden Knights in the All-Star game in his first two seasons with the Golden Knights. He was joined by James Neal in 2017-18 and was the sole Golden Knight selected last season. This year's election was the fifth of his career.
Darcy Kuemper of the Arizona Coyotes is the additional goaltender on the Pacific Division roster. Kuemper is currently out of action with a lower body injury. He is considered week-to-week by the club. With Markstrom's inclusion, the Pacific Division is running out of goaltenders to use. John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks and Antii Raanta seem to be the logical replacements for Kuemper.
With zero representation on the all-star roster, Golden Knights winger Max Pacioretty remains on the ballot for "Last Man In". He is the leading point producer of the Pacific Division options and added two goals to his resume on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. Pacioretty has never been to an All-Star Game, despite his career-long consistent goal scoring. Voting for "Last Man In" ends on Jan. 10.
This year's All-Star Game will be played in St. Louis, the home of the defending Stanley Cup Champions, on Jan. 25. Per usual, the Skills Competition will be held the night before, highlighting the talent around the league. The Golden Knights now set their sights on Pacioretty's potential first All-Star nod and a Saturday matinee against the St. Louis Blues.
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