Some news from a few days ago that has Seattle fans livid. Matty Beniers went down with an injury after being cross checked away from the puck by Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers. It was a dirty play and yet no suspension or fine was dolled out by the NHL. Beniers now will miss the All Star Game due to that hit and his subsequent hit to the head on the ice and may also be in danger of missing more time, potentially ruining his chances at the Calder Trophy.

To rub salt in the wound, the NHL then announced that Chandler Stephenson of the Golden Knights would replace Beniers at the All Star Game. This makes Seattle the only team not represented at the All Star Game. Technically Bo Horvat is now an Islander but he will still play for the Pacific Division in the All Star Game.

Chandler Stephenson has 11 goals and 44 points in 51 games this season. Why not send another Kraken in Andre Burakovsky who has 13 goals and 39 points in 48 games this season? Why not Jared McCann with 23 goals in 46 games? It would make more sense if they sent someone like Hyman who is 11th in the NHL in scoring or RNH who is 13th or Elias Pettersson to give the Canucks a player who ranks 18th in the NHL in scoring. Even Elias Lindholm who is 58th in scoring. Instead we go to 61st in scoring in Chandler Stephenson.

The whole point of this format of the All Star Game is to have each team represented in order to maximize the number of people watching it. Not replacing Beniers with another Seattle player is certainly going to hurt the viewership in that area and it's not like Vegas didn't already have a player in attendance. Adding another Kraken or Canucks player would have made the most sense. Adding another Golden Knight is a baffling move.

Hopefully instead of playing in the All Star Game, players like Eberle, McCann, and Burakovsky are enjoying some sunshine, relaxing and healing up and ready to come back strong once this break is finally over.

Thanks for reading.

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