Colin Campbell, the NHL's director of hockey operations, probably has one of the least enviable jobs in hockey when it comes to picking the All-Star reserves.
No matter what, there will always be players who should have been included but weren't, and players who were included but perhaps didn't deserve to be. This year is no different.
The fans determine the starting lineup, which includes Penguins players Mario Lemieux and Alexei Kovalev, through fan balloting. While it's fair to have the fans choose the starters, the process can skew things from the get-go. The league determines the other nine forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders per team, based on scoring, plus/minus ratings and ice time, among other things.
All in all, the league usually does a pretty good job, and the game is always entertaining for the fans who actually get to see the festivities live. That said, here are a few picks you could argue with for this year's game Feb. 2 in Sunrise, Fla.
Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, included, Western Conference: Are you kidding me⢠I know the guy led the league in scoring last year, but did anyone actually look at what he's done this season⢠He has the lowest point total of the 24 forwards playing in the game, he's a team-worst minus-16, his season has been riddled by injuries and the Flames are horrible. He might be a great offensive talent, but based on this year's numbers, there are plenty of other forwards who deserve to be there in his place.
Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche, not included, Western Conference: He's a perfect example of a guy who should be going to the game who isn't. He was the sixth-leading scorer in the NHL at the time the rosters were announced, with a point more than teammate Peter Forsberg, who was named to the team. He's got 24 goals, five more than the second-leading goal scorer on the Avs, Joe Sakic. And he's a plus-16, second only to Adam Foote at plus-17.
Sandis Ozolinsh, Florida Panthers, included, Eastern Conference: Yes, Ozolinsh was named as a starter, which is supposed to mean the fans spoke. This one is in no way the league's fault. But how fair is it when the Panthers boosters go on an 11th-hour ballot box stuffing campaign to get him in⢠The booster club-sponsored contest generated an estimated 47,500 votes for the guy. I'm not saying he's a bad player, but an All-Star starter⢠He's the 17th leading scorer among defensemen, and probably the one guy you could argue wouldn't be going to the game at all if those two or three people in Florida hadn't almost single-handedly voted him a starter.
Olli Jokinen, Florida Panthers, not included, Eastern Conference: And here's the kicker — Jokinen probably isn't going to the game because Ozolinsh, his teammate, is. Jokinen has more points that Jeremy Roenick, Mats Sundin and Jeff O'Neill, and has really had a breakthrough year. It's been tough going for him in years past, and he deserved the recognition.
Patrick Lalime, Ottawa Senators, not going, Eastern Conference: This one is tough because you can't really argue with New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, who has the most wins of any goaltender in the league and the second-best goals-against average of 25-game-plus goalies at 1.95. And you also can't argue with Toronto's Ed Belfour, who's third in wins and first in save percentage at .929. Both have been MVPs for their teams this year. The only selection you can argue with is Nikolai Khabibulin, who's performing far short of what he did last year, and, again, he was voted in as a starter. But to leave Lalime out is a difficult decision. His numbers aren't as good as Belfour's and Brodeur's, which obviously swayed the decision. But the Senators have risen to be the best team in the NHL and he's been a big part of that.
Eric Brewer, Edmonton Oilers, going, Western Conference: Just from the Oilers, let alone the rest of the Western Conference defensemen, weren't their better choices in Steve Staios and Janne Niinimaa⢠Brewer's good, but he hasn't had an All-Star caliber year.
Alexander Mogilny, Toronto Maple Leafs, not going, Eastern Conference: Leads the Leafs in scoring, including Mats Sundin (included) by 12 points. Three-quarters of his 20 goals have been even-strength, and seven have been game-winners. That's tied for second in the NHL with three other guys who are going — Jaromir Jagr (starter), Marian Hossa and Sergei Fedorov.
